Warehouse Construction: The Ultimate Guide to Planning & Design
Warehouse and industrial facilities are not just buildings. They are important assets that impact efficiency, safety, and growth over time. Successful warehouse construction requires disciplined planning, precise coordination, and experienced construction management to ensure every component supports your operation from day one.
Broad Reach Construction offers professional services for warehouse and industrial building. They manage the entire construction process. This includes early planning to final delivery. Their focus is on performance, accountability, and execution.
Why Warehouse Construction Requires Specialized Expertise
Warehouse projects introduce challenges that differ from traditional commercial construction. Structural systems, material handling requirements, clear spans, loading infrastructure, and future expansion planning all demand careful coordination.
Without skilled construction management, warehouse projects can face delays, extra costs, and design issues. These problems can disrupt operations even after construction ends.
Our role is to manage these complexities early and maintain control throughout construction.
Construction Management-Led Warehouse Construction
Broad Reach Construction approaches warehouse construction through a commercial construction management model that prioritizes owner representation, transparency, and control.
Our construction management team coordinates all project stakeholders — architects, engineers, contractors, and vendors — to ensure:
Scope alignment from pre-construction through closeout
Clear scheduling and milestone tracking
Proactive issue identification and resolution
Cost control and change management
Consistent communication and reporting
This approach reduces risk and keeps warehouse projects aligned with operational goals.
Warehouse Construction Services We Provide
Our warehouse and industrial construction services include:
Pre-construction planning and feasibility analysis
Site coordination and logistics planning
Structural, shell, and interior build coordination
Loading dock, circulation, and access coordination
Utility and infrastructure oversight
Quality control, safety oversight, and project closeout
Each project is managed with an emphasis on execution, efficiency, and long-term usability.
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Warehouse and Industrial Facilities We Support
We provide construction management for a wide range of warehouse and industrial facilities, including:
Distribution and fulfillment centers
Manufacturing and light industrial facilities
Cold storage and specialized storage buildings
Logistics hubs and bulk storage facilities
Warehouse expansions and renovations
Our team adapts the construction approach to match the operational requirements of each facility.
Why Clients Choose Broad Reach for Warehouse Construction
Execution-focused construction management
We prioritize coordination, accountability, and control throughout every phase of construction.Schedule and cost discipline
Our process is built to manage risk, control budgets, and maintain realistic timelines.Experience with complex, operational facilities
We understand the coordination required for industrial environments and active operations.Clear communication and reporting
Clients receive consistent updates and visibility into progress, costs, and risks.
Warehouse & Industrial Pre-Construction Checklist
1. Site Due Diligence & Feasibility
Before a shovel hits the dirt, the site must be vetted for industrial viability.
[ ] Zoning & Land Use: Confirm the site is zoned for industrial/manufacturing (e.g., M-1, M-2).
[ ] Geotechnical Report: Soil testing to determine if the ground can support heavy slab loads and tilt-up walls.
[ ] Environmental Assessment (Phase I & II): Identify any prior contamination, especially on brownfield sites.
[ ] Topography & Drainage: Evaluate grading requirements for massive building footprints and retention ponds.
2. Utility & Infrastructure Planning
Industrial facilities have massive utility “draws” that standard commercial builds do not.
[ ] Power Requirements: Determine if the local grid supports the required KVA/Amperage for heavy machinery or automated sorting.
[ ] Water & Fire Suppression: Ensure municipal water pressure is sufficient for ESFR (Early Suppression, Fast Response) sprinkler systems.
[ ] Inbound/Outbound Logistics: Assess road weight limits and “turn radius” for heavy-duty freight trucks and 53-foot trailers.
3. Design & Structural Specifications
This is where you define the facility’s long-term ROI.
[ ] Clear Height Requirements: Determine vertical clearance (e.g., 32′, 36′, or 40’+) based on racking and automation needs.
[ ] Slab Design: Define Floor Flatness (FF) and Floor Levelness (FL) specs for high-reach forklifts.
[ ] Column Spacing: Optimize bay sizing (e.g., 50′ x 50′) to maximize storage density.
[ ] Dock Configuration: Finalize the number of dock high doors vs. drive-in ramps.
4. Permitting & Regulatory Approvals
[ ] Entitlements: Secure necessary approvals from local planning boards.
[ ] Utility Tap-In Permits: Coordinate with local municipalities for sewer, water, and gas connections.
[ ] Stormwater Management (SWPPP): Develop a plan for erosion and sediment control during construction.
5. Budgeting & Procurement
[ ] Long-Lead Item Identification: Pre-order steel, joists, and electrical switchgear (currently seeing 6–12 month lead times).
[ ] Value Engineering: Review materials to identify cost-saving alternatives without sacrificing structural integrity.
[ ] Final GMP (Guaranteed Maximum Price): Lock in the construction contract to prevent budget creep.
Warehouse Construction Across Multiple Markets
Broad Reach Construction supports warehouse and industrial construction projects across multiple regions. Our construction management systems are designed to adapt to local regulations, site conditions, and project requirements while maintaining consistent execution standards.
- Warehouse Construction South Carolina
- Warehouse construction in Columbia, South Carolina
- Warehouse construction in Charleston, South Carolina
- Warehouse Construction in Greenville, South Carolina
- Warehouse Construction North Carolina
- Warehouse Construction Pennsylvania
- Warehouse Construction in Wilkes-Barre, PA
- Warehouse Construction in Dallas, Pennsylvania
Plan Your Warehouse Construction Project With Confidence
If you are planning a warehouse or industrial construction project and need experienced construction management support, Broad Reach Construction is ready to help.
Download the Warehouse Renovation Readiness Checklist Discover what to evaluate before your renovation — including space planning, budget control, and stakeholder coordination.
Broad Reach Construction Leadership Team
KEVIN MORGAN
KEVIN DAVID
CHAD LYNCH
SHEA DAVIS
Message from Kevin Morgan, CEO of Broad Reach Construction Management
Broad Reach Construction Management serves clients across the East Coast with a simple mission: deliver dependable, results-driven construction management that brings your vision to life.
With more than 25 years of experience leading complex commercial projects, I’ve built our company around clear communication, disciplined cost control, and reliable execution. Our team is committed to managing every project with care, accountability, and a focus on long-term value.
When you choose Broad Reach, you gain a construction management partner who advocates for your best interests and delivers projects with clarity, control, and confidence.
