A plain-English walkthrough for first-time commercial developers.

Most people who commission a commercial build for the first time have no idea what to expect — and that uncertainty breeds anxiety, miscommunication, and delays. Bear GC has walked hundreds of clients through this process, and we’ve learned that educated owners make better partners and better decisions. In this post, we walk through the five major phases of a commercial construction project: preconstruction and design coordination, permitting and approvals, foundation and structure, MEP rough-in and enclosure, and final finishes and closeout. For each phase, we explain what’s happening on site, what decisions you as the owner need to make, and what can cause delays if it goes wrong. Think of it as the orientation guide we wish every client read on day one.