The Importance of Utility Mapping for Commercial Building Projects
Utility mapping is a necessary part of any commercial building project.
The map displays what lies beneath your commercial construction site, including underground infrastructure that needs to be accounted for so the project can progress smoothly without dangerous situations or costly mistakes.
Mapping Out
You may not realize it, but the space beneath your prospective construction site is highly occupied. While underground, electric cables and other services travel around providing pathways for vital utilities.
Unfortunately, without any information about where they are located this can be dangerous to you during construction when something might have been accidentally hit or damaged by a heavy tool being used on that same spot.
Utility mapping involves reviewing existing records of infrastructure locations along with employing technologies like ground-penetrating radar which allows us to find out what type and location of anything there might be before moving forward with our project in mind.
Why Utility Maps Matter
Sometimes while digging, you can accidentally find yourself stumbling upon an underground feature.
If this happens to your project and the issue is not caught on time, it could lead to some serious consequences for everyone involved in that particular venture. In fact, it can lead to several scenarios that endanger your project’s swift, successful completion:
Dangerous conditions.
Construction is a dangerous business. What you don’t know can hurt those working on the job site.
In the last 20 years, more than 400 fatalities and some 2,000 injuries throughout the US and Canada have been linked to hitting underground infrastructure while excavating.
Time-consuming delays.
Bringing a project in on time and on budget means sticking to a schedule. Surprises that cause injuries or require work to stop so that the situation can be reassessed wreak havoc on planned timetables.
Costly changes.
The discovery of underground utilities can force you to alter your construction plans or reroute that infrastructure. Either option is likely to send your costs soaring.
When creating a map of your worksite, it is crucial to know what lies beneath. A utility map assembles that vital information so you can put it to good use and reduce risks for the project.
Utilizing accurate maps will help identify pitfalls in advance when making changes means easier and more affordable than during construction amid potential dangers lurking below ground level such as underground utilities or hazardous materials like asbestos fibers which might cause health problems later on if disturbed improperly.
When it comes to construction, working with an experienced design-build contractor can give you the seamless transition that you need.
Instead of dividing responsibilities between two parties like architects and builders, this approach gives both designing and building responsibility in one firm which improves coordination while also promoting cooperation throughout each phase so your final product will be without any hiccups or delays.
If you’d like to learn more about the commercial building process or speak with someone about your commercial project, contact JeBailey & Co. today at (407) 559-6412, or email us at info@jebaileyandco.com to learn more about our other services or request a quote!
