We hear about energy efficiency, greenhouse gases, renewable energy, and carbon emissions more frequently these days, but maybe not as popular is Net Zero Energy Building or Net Zero Energy Building Ready. These aren’t new concepts, but with the flurry of attention on energy savings, we wanted to check into the current status for Michigan Commercial Building Owners. Since the Michigan Energy Code (2015) was adopted in 2017 in Michigan, how far are our Commercial Building owners from achieving Net Zero Energy Building Ready?

Have you considered commercial investment properties to add to your portfolio?  On a surface level, it seems like a long-term, but easy investment that will generate ongoing income and also potentially appreciate in value the longer you own it.  For those who have capital to invest, is it the right type of investment for you?

Things have changed for many businesses over the last two years including where staff completes their work, the need for incentives to maintain or attract employees, distancing measures for staff, and how their products are delivered. These changes may have made your current building too big, too small, or no longer functional for your business.

1. Fast track construction
2. Less risk for the owner
3. Single point of responsibility
4. Guaranteed schedule & budget
5. Team collaboration
6. Quality construction for better value
7. More bids collected by one entity to narrow down the lowest price

As business owners become more aware of the benefits of Design-Build Construction, the delivery method continues to chisel a bigger piece of market share throughout the U.S. and is expected to reach 47% usage rate by 2025, according to FMI¹, a 5% increase from just 2 years ago.  In their DBIA Design-Build Utilization Update - September 2021, they evaluated the United States Census Bureau, stakeholder surveys, industry reports, associations, and government agency databases, and determined the usage of delivery methods within the construction industry and found that the East North Central Midwest region will experience a 6.0% growth in Progressive Design-Build projects by 2025.  Also, highway/street, educational, and manufacturing will have the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) adopting Design-Build project delivery. 

Less Risk for the Owner + the Right People Collaborating + Competitive Bids + Adequate Time

Business leaders have to make so many diverse decisions every day.  Some decisions are within their area of expertise, others are an educated guess, while even more require an outside source to help direct them. 

What Is Constructability Review?

When searching for commercial property you can and should rely on your realtor for many key details and features of the site that will benefit your business. That being said, there are details that only a Design/Build partner can help you make a more complete, educated decision. With the Architect and Contractor on the same team, they will review the site together and determine obstacles and costs quickly. Specifically, Design/Build contractors are looking for infrastructure, constructability, and challenges of a site that could potentially add cost to a construction budget or schedule.