HardHatChat

JUNE 21, 2012

What are Today’s Best New Retail Developments? With the way the commercial real estate market has been the last several years, people are looking to commercial construction experts for the best construction tips on how to proceed with a successful new retail development. Restaurant. Shopping Center. Hospitality. Office/Industrial.

Retail 216

Retail Commercial Chicago Leases 216

HardHatChat

APRIL 24, 2023

As a National General Contractor working across multiple verticals in the commercial construction space, we understand the challenges (COVID and Supply Chain) facing our retail, restaurant, hospitality, and senior housing clients. For example, the project can be risky if you only chase after the lowest bid.

Commercial 156

Commercial Construction Retail Housing 156

HardHatChat

FEBRUARY 14, 2024

Your reputation and finished product as a national general contractor are only as good as the performance of your local subcontractor partners. Our best referrals come from our most sophisticated and professional partners who like to work with other top-notch contractors. They are a fantastic resource. It matters.

Commercial 295

Commercial Construction Schedule US 295

HardHatChat

APRIL 11, 2014

The best work is typically done when a project is viewed as a partnership between a client and commercial general contractor. For us, this arrangement is far more preferable to the common competitive bid process. Here are the top three reasons to work with general commercial construction contractors in a negotiated bidding process.

Commercial 292

Commercial Negotiation Bidding Construction 292

HardHatChat

MAY 4, 2010

With four months under our belt, I think the time is right to revisit one of the trends I mentioned called “Back on Track” and its relevance to the retail construction industry. As for new retail construction, it seems the big winners are niche retail brands that dominate a market category, such as American Girl and lululemon.

Retail 159

Retail Commercial Construction Remodeling 159

HardHatChat

SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

There’s no doubt that local businesses will have much to celebrate if on October 2, 2009, Chicago wins the 2016 Summer Olympics bid. But just how would Chicago hosting the Olympics affect the city’s restaurant and retail construction activity ? Retail and restaurant construction would most likely start in 2015. Bill Di Santo.

Chicago 120

Chicago Retail Bidding Permits 120

HardHatChat

MAY 13, 2014

Be sure to check references of general contractors before entering into a negotiated or competitive bid situation. Commercial general contractors generally don’t find their way into the mainstream news unless it is for something negative, often involving criminal activity. But the saying goes, all it takes is a few bad apples….

Commercial 281

Commercial Bidding Negotiation Construction 281

HardHatChat

JANUARY 9, 2013

Bids were up…substantially. Project bidding came back at a high velocity in 2012. It was good to see so many commercial developers, owners, retailers and restaurants moving forward with confidence and initiating new commercial construction projects. However, this activity level came with a caveat. Englewood and world domination.

Commercial 240

Commercial News Retail Construction 240

Wolgast Corporation

FEBRUARY 1, 2024

Therefore, the bidding and selection process is much shorter in duration. Alternatively, General Construction requires time for bidding after the design is complete, so none of the above activities can start until the bids are in and a contractor is selected—these activities can take a month or more to complete.

Construction 62

Construction Bidding Design Schedule 62

HardHatChat

AUGUST 21, 2012

The difference is we weren’t on vacation; we were bidding new restaurant and hotel construction jobs to keep up with the thousands of new residents moving to the area due to the oil boom. Wouldn’t it be easier to hire a local commercial contractor? I’m glad you asked. What’s your project?

Commercial 214

Commercial Contractors Retail Construction 214

HardHatChat

NOVEMBER 11, 2013

Activity was up for retail and restaurant construction and once-stalled commercial construction projects are finding themselves back on 2014 bid sheets for the best commercial general contractors. This new mixed-use construction project will include multifamily and 161,000 square feet of retail. Big is back.

Commercial 283

Commercial Industrial Chicago Retail 283

HardHatChat

APRIL 20, 2010

For those familiar with Chicago retail construction , think back a couple of years to when the dated Orland Park Place interior mall underwent construction and turned itself inside out to became one of the area’s most successful outdoor shopping centers. Hire a design-build general contractor.

Retail 191

Retail Construction Commercial Chicago 191

HardHatChat

JUNE 23, 2015

Working with a commercial contractor on a negotiated-bid basis, as Englewood Construction does with long-term client American Girl, can minimize the likelihood you’ll hear “no” from your GC during the bidding process. As a national commercial contractor , we are first and foremost in the business of customer service.

Commercial 120

Commercial Contractors Bidding Negotiation 120

HardHatChat

DECEMBER 9, 2014

Nothing gets a national commercial contractor more excited than moving dirt. In 2010, commercial construction firms were in survival mode and had to bid on anything available. Now, we can avoid bidding on projects that already have too many bidders, or, are too small for Englewood to be competitive.

Commercial 192

Commercial Retail Construction Chicago 192

HardHatChat

MARCH 4, 2019

One of the biggest challenges for commercial construction firms today is the tighter project timelines that have become the norm at every phase of a project – from shorter deadlines for submitting initial bids and budgets, to quicker resolution on addendums and change orders, to compressed schedules for construction and delivery.

Project Management 349

Project Management Commercial Management Construction 349

HardHatChat

NOVEMBER 17, 2009

But what I want to do is tell you what you may not know about the retail space construction of this Zara store and how to apply this information to your next retail construction project. 1. Hidden traps in retail construction approval process. Make sure your general contractor has a VIP playbook.

Retail 176

Retail Michigan Chicago Construction 176

HardHatChat

MAY 18, 2011

While I think everyone in the retail industry likes to hear news that 2011 retail sales are up – as it usually means new retail construction projects are in the pipeline – it’s still tough for shopping center landlords to make deals work with retail tenants. This is most popular with big retail leases in 2011.

Commercial 184

Commercial Retail Construction Bidding 184

HardHatChat

JANUARY 18, 2011

Don’t always take the lowest bid. I know this is a tough one to follow as we all need to keep commercial construction budgets in check, but we saw too many companies go with pick-up truck contractors in 2010 only to be burned later. Qualify general contractors that build in your wheelhouse. Bring your GC in early.

Commercial 263

Commercial Bidding Negotiation Construction 263

HardHatChat

FEBRUARY 14, 2013

The activity level that we saw in the fourth quarter of 2012 in new retail, restaurant and hospitality construction projects is double what we saw a year earlier. As a result, we filled five commercial construction job openings recently to handle the inflow of bid work. Once the dust settles, we can’t wait to share it.

Commercial 259

Commercial News Retail Construction 259

HardHatChat

DECEMBER 22, 2011

We saw drawings for new Chicago restaurant projects, retail construction work, office renovations, school construction and learning center additions – you name it, we saw it. LOW – Unfortunately, we weren’t the only ones receiving drawings to bid on new commercial construction projects. And some firms had 11 GCs bid on jobs.

Commercial 207

Commercial Union Retail Construction 207

HardHatChat

NOVEMBER 19, 2012

Michigan Avenue in Chicago is seeing a mix of high-end retailers and value retailers, a trend that will continue in 2013 in markets across the country. This mix benefits retailers such as American Girl, which Englewood built out in 2009 at Water Tower Place, as more foot traffic passes through the area.

Commercial 289

Commercial Retail Chicago Construction 289

HardHatChat

JULY 11, 2013

The summer always brings more commercial construction activity, more bids, and, as a result, higher pricing. Many general contractors decide to lower their risk and start commercial construction projects in the warmer months, paying a premium for nice weather, but assuring timely delivery. Don’t skimp on architects.

Commercial 276

Commercial Construction Bidding Chicago 276

HardHatChat

APRIL 6, 2010

The travel expenses alone for a non-local general contractor would inflate a retail construction bid to the point where the job isn’t economical. The national general contractor knows your expectations, how you operate and your brand. Where is your local general contractor following you? Well, it’s not like that.

Commercial 174

Commercial Contractors Retail Construction 174

HardHatChat

MAY 31, 2012

Don't forget to vet your general contractor's background and experience when reviewing bids. Even though that sometimes means the good guy doesn’t win the bid. We recently lost a new Chicago restaurant construction job to a general commercial contractor that used non-union labor costs in its winning low bid.

Commercial 245

Commercial Union Chicago Bidding 245

HardHatChat

DECEMBER 20, 2016

Here’s a look at our top 2016 commercial construction “highs” and “lows”: Low: Mall Retail Tenants Choose Local over National. However, over the last year, we’ve seen more retail brands award tenant build-out work to local firms rather than national construction partners. High: Big Opportunities in Big Box Retail.

Commercial 156

Commercial Retail Construction Chicago 156

HardHatChat

APRIL 12, 2016

The other day I was talking with a Chicago-area client who didn’t realize Englewood is a national general contractor that manages national commercial construction projects across the country. In addition to tapping into local subs, it is imperative a national contractor has an office team willing to head wherever the client needs them.

Commercial 120

Commercial Contractors Management New York City 120

HardHatChat

SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

Working with a client on a design-assist or design-build basis, as Englewood Construction is with the reimagining of Stratford Square Mall, allows the commercial contractor to provide valuable input during the initial planning stages. Design-assist is a bit of a hybrid of the design-build process.

Commercial 120

Commercial Modeling Design Construction 120

HardHatChat

DECEMBER 15, 2009

At the beginning of 2009, I don’t think anyone, including a national commercial general contractor like Englewood Construction, was prepared for the twists and turns that would face the commercial construction industry. Low – Chicago losing the 2016 Olympic bid. Jobs that used to have 2-3 bids, now have 10. 3 Dollar General.

Commercial 196

Commercial Retail Construction Chicago 196

HardHatChat

MARCH 23, 2010

After all, that’s what happens when you work as a shopping center general contractor as well as a national retail contractor. You hear the good, bad and ugly from shopping center landlords, mall and retail developers, architects and subcontractors. When it comes to building inspectors, the health department, etc.,

Retail 174

Retail Construction Bidding Contractors 174

Wolgast Corporation

JANUARY 12, 2023

In this process, the client or business owner holds contracts with the prime contractors, but by teaming with the Architect and Construction Manager, the supervision, budget and schedule monitoring, quality and overall progress are conducted for the client by experts who do this every day.

Commercial 84

Commercial Construction Retail Michigan 84

HardHatChat

JULY 19, 2011

On one hand, retail sales continue to show improvement from last year, yet the suburban shopping mall – or at least the traditional enclosed shopping mall – seems to be on the way out. You want a general commercial contractor who understands all parties’ needs. Also, heed my warning on hiring low-bidding pick-up truck contractors.

Commercial 201

Commercial Retail Change Orders Construction 201

HardHatChat

DECEMBER 17, 2010

We saw much-improved activity in shopping center construction – not necessarily the building of new malls, but in general commercial contractors working with landlords and developers on pre-construction services , such as commercial construction budgeting to help them propose attractive lease deals for new tenants.

Commercial 196

Commercial Retail Construction Chicago 196

HardHatChat

AUGUST 12, 2014

Commercial general contractors are finding plenty of opportunities in the office, apartment and hotel construction markets right now. Of course, working with the best local restaurant general commercial contractor will help increase the chances of your restaurant construction project being a success. Design savings.

Chicago 278

Chicago Commercial Construction Remodeling 278

HardHatChat

NOVEMBER 10, 2009

I’ve got to ask, are you still competitively bidding the bulk of your commercial construction projects? Negotiating with a commercial contractor allows you to split unforeseen cost savings. When you negotiate, any cost savings your contractor may uncover are split between the two of you. Really, you are? Interesting….

Commercial 168

Commercial Negotiation Bidding Contractors 168

HardHatChat

NOVEMBER 30, 2011

Value-based retailers like hhgregg, Ross Dress for Less and Savers should experience construction growth in 2012. It’s that time of year when our team predicts the 2012 commercial construction trends – from what’s on tap for Chicago retail construction to national restaurant construction and hospitality construction.

Commercial 179

Commercial Retail Chicago Construction 179

HardHatChat

DECEMBER 22, 2015

Thanks to clients who put their trust in us, we’ve built on our roots in tenant interior finish jobs and retail in-store build-outs and found our niche in ground-up projects, flagship stores and high-end restaurant construction and hospitality work. Low – Retail’s Continued Slump.

Commercial 120

Commercial Industrial Retail Construction 120

HardHatChat

JANUARY 19, 2010

The same can be said of the relationship between commercial general contractor and subcontractor. Because without skilled subcontractors a commercial construction general contractor is just a guy in an office. Without the best bid, we can’t win the project. And without the best service, the bid is meaningless.

Commercial 192

Commercial Bidding Construction Retail 192