Why Are Warehouses Important?
Warehouses are vital for an array of reasons, making warehouse construction very important. In this day and age, it is increasingly important to have products available for consumers on demand. This means that the required amount of product will likely exceed available storefront space. To remain competitive with large companies like Amazon, growing businesses need to have the space available to store enough products to keep consumers supplied.
Purpose of Warehouses
Warehouses can be used for many other purposes, as well, including rented storage space and other alternatives. When you decide that building a warehouse is in your best interest, it is important to understand everything that is involved throughout the process of building a warehouse. Specific amounts will vary based on the complexity and size of the building, but there are some general factors that need to be considered when you decide on building a warehouse to meet the needs of your business.
How Long Does it take to Build a Warehouse?
The amount of time, as well as the total cost, required to build a warehouse, depends on many different factors. Each step of the process will take a different amount of time to complete depending on the complexity of the project, the size of the project, the availability of materials, and even the weather. Simply obtaining a quote for the project can take a diverse amount of time, including anywhere from 48 hours for a simple project to 3 weeks for a complex one.
The overall process of building a warehouse can be expedited by obtaining a design-build delivery method. This method involves cutting out the process of a separate design team and build the team and consolidating each task into a single unit, which provides many benefits for a construction process. This process ensures that everyone begins the project on the same page, which minimizes the likelihood of problems occurring with the warehouse construction project.
4 Considerations Before You Build a Warehouse
- Timeline
- Warehouse Construction Materials
- Warehouse Building Design
- The Warehouse Building Process
Warehouse Construction Materials
Warehouses are most commonly constructed of steel and metal materials. They tend to have fewer plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and other concerns as other types of buildings. However, the specific materials will also depend on the requirements of the building. For example, a building that requires climate control will need additional insulation and other materials. The materials that are used when building a warehouse make up a significant portion of the total cost of constructing a warehouse. In addition, you will want to consider which materials may be readily available during the time at which you construct your warehouse. If the materials aren’t easily obtained, the construction process will likely take longer and costs may grow higher.
Warehouse Building Design
The design of a warehouse will depend primarily on the warehouse’s purpose. The building will have to be the appropriate size for the materials it is required to hold. You may want to consider other specifications, as well. The more detailed you are regarding your requirements and desired plan, the faster and more effective the design process will be. Other considerations can go a long way toward reducing expenses. For example, a small building will have a lower initial cost, but a larger building will be more economical. This means that the cost per square foot with a big warehouse will be lower than the cost per square foot of a smaller warehouse.
Multiple considerations can reduce the overall expense of building a warehouse. Placing the building close to the street can help to minimize costs, because it will make it easier to hook up the electrical and plumbing connections. You should also ensure that you choose a relatively flat site on which to build your warehouse. This can help to minimize the required earthwork, which can similarly minimize the construction costs. Minimizing the required amount of steel can similarly reduce the overall expense, as steel can get incredibly expensive.
The Warehouse Building Process
The warehouse building process can generally be separated into 5 different steps. The first step involves receiving a quote for the project. This process can take as little as 48 hours for small, simple projects. It can take as long as 3 weeks for larger, multi-unit projects that may require special materials to complete. The second step is the approval of drawings. This involves creating a plan for the construction of the building. This process takes anywhere from 1 week to a month to complete. Detailing is the next step in the warehouse building process. Depending on the complexities of the project, this process can take from 1 week to 8 weeks.
The fourth step is the production and shipping phase, which involves ordering and obtaining all of the requisite materials to effectively complete the project. This process tends to take around 3 weeks, though this may fluctuate depending on the scope of the project and the availability of the materials. The following stage involves the physical construction of the project. This phase is difficult to determine a time frame, as it can change due to setbacks, poor weather conditions, and many other factors.
Contact Us Today
Constructing a warehouse may feel like an incredibly overwhelming project, but a professional will be able to provide the information that you need to most successfully and effectively complete the task. Here at E.K. Bailey, we provide an array of services for a large selection of building types. This includes everything from warehouses to healthcare facilities. Our skilled professionals are able to ensure that your building project goes as smoothly as possible, minimizing setbacks and lowering total expenses.
One of the incredibly valuable services that we offer includes our design-build method. This process ensures that we can complete the entire project with flawless communication. Our team is experienced regarding communicating with each other, which helps to expedite the total construction process. This method of construction prevents miscommunication errors, as well as enhances the total effectiveness of the team. To learn more about the services that we offer and how we can expedite your warehouse construction project, contact our experts at E.K. Bailey today!