The commercial construction scene in West Palm Beach is predicted to maintain sustained growth in the years ahead, according to city development data. One of the biggest factors the city uses to reliably predict growth is the amount of money it collects from construction permits and inspection fees. They cite it as a strong indicator for growth as developers tend to shy away from spending money on a building permit they may not pursue. Of course, other factors influence West Palm’s predicted growth, such as investor interest, demand and growth opportunities, among others. It’s location on the Brightline is also a boon for growth as it helps improve regional connectivity as well.

If you’re considering a commercial project in West Palm Beach, consider weighing these three factors before starting your build:

• Demographics– Known for attracting affluent tenants in a growing luxury apartment scene, a more densely populated downtown is a good news for construction and retail. With planned and predicted growth in downtown, how might the shifting dynamics of a further revitalized urban center influence your commercial project, and does it align with your targeted demographic?

• Local Building Codes and Compliance Challenges– South Florida is notorious for a complicated building permit process. On top of that, there can be unique building code considerations for each County and municipality. For example, in recent years there have been significant changes to wind load design in the Florida Building Code, and location along the coast plays a big role in how building compliance standards vary. This is just one example of how hiring a local and experienced general contractor can save you time, money, and headaches as they fully understand compliance regulations and various local nuances when it comes to commercial projects. Consider the unique building challenges of West Palm Beach as you decide on your general contractor and how specific building codes may also influence your budget.

• Risk of Delays– For many, delays seem like part and parcel of a commercial construction project, but it doesn’t have to be that way. To keep a commercial project on track in West Palm Beach, you need focused planning, thorough attention to detail, and a keen eye on budget spending. To put it more bluntly, you need to be wary of overpromises and weigh the risk of committing to something that sounds too good to be true (hint: it probably is) or going with a trusted local contractor who can commit to delivering an on-time, on-budget build.

In a growing market like West Palm Beach, time is of the essence, and it’s important to consider everything from the minutiae to the grand vision when undertaking a commercial project. At Seacoast Construction, we have 20 years of experience partnering with our clients in South Florida. If you’re looking for a general contractor for your next project, give us a call at 786-433-8740 to schedule a consultation.