Reducing risk in commercial construction is possible. Here’s how.
The key is to focus on collaboration from the start.
When you’re planning a commercial construction project — whether it’s senior living, multifamily housing, office space, automobile dealership, or other commercial building project — risk management should be part of your strategy from the very beginning. Risks like schedule delays and budget overruns can derail progress and increase costs.
The good news? Early collaboration among all project stakeholders is one of the most effective ways to reduce risk in commercial construction.
At DBS Group, we deliver the design-build construction model, which brings all parties together from day one to ensure alignment, transparency, and efficiency at every stage of your project.
Why early collaboration matters in commercial construction
No commercial project succeeds without a strong, coordinated team. You need design, estimating, and project management team members all working together toward the goals the owner has established for the project. When those professionals are brought in too late — or work in silos — conflicting priorities can create confusion, finger-pointing, and miscommunication that can adversely impact the budget and schedule.
Early collaboration aligns your team and reduces risk before construction even begins. Here’s how:
-
Clear project direction.
When project stakeholders are involved early, they can help shape a well-defined strategy from the start. That means better construction planning, improved budget control, more accurate project scheduling, and maximizing the owner’s investment. This early alignment helps avoid common risks, such as scope creep and budget surprises.
-
Aligned goals and consistent communication.
Bringing all parties together early ensures everyone is focused on shared project goals. Using shared communication platforms and regular meetings, your project team can quickly identify and resolve issues, maintain budget integrity, and keep timelines on track — all while eliminating miscommunication.
-
A head start with predevelopment services.
Some of the most critical risk-reducing work happens long before a shovel hits the ground. At DBS Group, our predevelopment services help clients with:
- Evaluation of sites being considered by the owner — size/shape, topography, ingress/egress, proximity of utilities, etc.
- Schematic design — develop schematic design information to confirm the proposed site can accommodate the planned improvements.
- Preliminary code study — identify site-specific codes, as well as the process for obtaining project approvals, to confirm the site is right for your project.
- Coordination of market studies — leverage our network of feasibility experts to confirm market demand for the planned improvements.
- Financing assistance — don’t have an existing lender relationship? We can get you connected with local and regional lenders.
- Purchase agreement due diligence — coordinate geotechnical and environmental surveys to confirm there are no adverse subsurface conditions.
When you prioritize collaboration during this phase, you set the stage for success — both during construction and beyond.
-
Budget confidence.
Early involvement by all project team members can reduce significant risks, such as schedule delays and cost overruns. Early and continued collaboration by all stakeholders allows the project team to identify potential challenges, and most unwelcome surprises can be avoided proactively. We’ve seen firsthand how early collaboration in a design-build project significantly increases the project team’s ability to keep the project on time and on budget.
Managing construction risk starts with early collaboration
Every commercial construction project comes with some level of risk. But when your project is grounded in early collaboration, supported by a design-build approach, and guided by a team that’s aligned from the start, you gain more control over the outcome — and reduce the chance of costly disruptions.
Looking to reduce risk on your next commercial build?
Let’s talk. At DBS Group, we specialize in design-build construction that emphasizes collaboration, quality, and long-term value. Together, we’ll build smart — right from the start.