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1091 Industrial: A Life Sciences Oasis in the Heart of San Carlos

Life Sciences is one of the most innovative growth industries in the Bay Area, and at South Bay Construction (SBC), we are excited to be in the midst of the action. With over 46 years of experience, we specialize in various sectors, with a strong focus on the ever-evolving life sciences industry. We understand the ...

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Clearing the Air: An Update on Title 24 CBSC Changes for 2023

If you didn’t live in San Francisco in the 1970s, it’s hard to imagine the smog. Check out some episodes of the hit crime drama Streets of San Francisco. In the city panorama shots, you can see smog conditions similar to the photo above.   Pretty awful, right? Los Angeles was even worse. Fast forward to ...

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The Biotech Boom: How the Life Sciences Industry is Driving Innovation in Northern California Construction

Biotechnology is a rapidly growing field that is transforming many industries, including the construction industry in Northern California. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the use of biotechnology in the construction of commercial buildings and infrastructure projects, with companies using biotech innovations to improve the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of their ...

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construction-budget

Sticking to a Budget: Three Tips for a Well-crafted Cost Estimate

When it comes to cost estimation, it can be difficult to bridge the gap between design and construction. Architects and general contractors approach cost estimation and budgeting from different vantage points. Various estimates are made during the different stages of a project. In the early design and planning stages, for example, architects develop design cost …

contractor-architect-communication

Five Tips for Improving Communication between Architects and General Contractors

Communication between general contractors and architects is vital, from the cost estimation phase, throughout the construction phase, and right up to the grand opening. However, maintaining good communication throughout the design and construction processes can be easier said than done. Due to different priorities, perspectives and expectations, architecture and construction teams may not always see …

Designing with Construction in Mind: How Construction Can Help Bridge the Gap between Building Design and Project Groundbreaking

How many times have you designed a beautiful building only to find that the design does not meet the contractor’s specifications? Architects are often faced with this scenario, and it can cause serious tension between the architect and the contractor. Architects want contractors to bring their design vision to life in the actual construction, but …

contractor-management

Working with General Contractors: Why Architects and Contractors Need Each Other

General contractors and architects do not always see eye to eye. The two professions have different perspectives, thought processes, and expectations when it comes to commercial building projects. Whether the contractor and architect disagree about the design process or about how to manage a construction project, the differences in perspective can interfere with the overall …

Building Better Relationships: What Contractors Wish Architects Knew About Construction

It may come as no surprise that architects and contractors are sometimes at odds with one another. Architects put forth painstaking efforts to bring their complex design ideas into reality. They may feel that contractors do not always successfully bring that vision to life, whether through budgetary constraints or lack of aesthetic appreciation. Contractors, on …

South Bay Construction: A Team Player from Concept to Completion

South Bay Construction (SBC) understands the critical role that “Team Building” plays for a project’s key stakeholders.The architectural design team and general contractor strive to provide the best value and highest quality for the owner’s investment. However, they are often operating within the constraints of an industry where risk is high and profit margins can …

How Open Shops Motivate Competition and Drive Value in the Construction Industry

During the past century, unions have been associated with maintaining industry standards and protecting employee rights. Trends in recent years, however, suggest open shop policies may be better at fostering an inclusive and competitive environment where contractors can implement multiskilling and other streamlining tactics. An open shop construction policy, also known as a merit shop, …

cost-estimation-hazards

Digging Deep Into Conceptual Budgeting: Foreseeable and Unforeseeable Costs in Cost Estimation

Pre-construction estimates are some of the first deliverables given to construction clients. From framing a budget to predicting hard and soft costs, conceptual budgeting sets the tone for the overall build. While many clients are eager to begin a new project, it’s important to first analyze location, environmental hazards, and the unforeseeable costs of a …

Project Spotlight: The Stadium Tech Project

Despite having to survive the Great Recession after its 2007 inception as well as overcome significant construction challenges, the Stadium Tech project emerged triumphantly in the spring of 2016. Its Santa Clara address is within shouting distance of nearby Levi’s Stadium and in the heart of Silicon Valley. Six stories of floor-to-ceiling glass, the distinguishing …

From Architects to General Contractors: Why Cost Estimation Is All About Relationships

All construction efforts start with cost estimation—from estimating materials to estimating labor costs—a lot goes into the preliminary estimate of a project. However, despite the need for accurate information, the most important aspect of cost estimation is a quality relationship between the project team and the general contractor. The more in sync contractors are with …

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Cost reference guide

Cost Reference Guide

Our Bay Area Cost Reference Guide provides up-to-date construction pricing and market data; it's a critical budgeting tool that can deliver conceptual estimates and that can save you both time and money.