In commercial construction, every week of delay is a week paying for space you cannot occupy. After managing buildouts across Miami Dade and Broward, we see the same five mistakes eat months, and all of them are preventable.
1. Starting permitting without a complete set
Partial submissions come back with comments, and every correction cycle costs weeks. A permit ready set covering structure, mechanical, life safety, and accessibility is the fastest path through review.
2. Ignoring landlord work letters
Base building conditions, approval chains, and union requirements all live in the lease’s work letter. Reading it after design is how tenants discover rules that reshape the entire plan.
3. Ordering long lead items late
Switchgear, custom millwork, and specialty glazing can carry 8 to 16 week lead times. Procurement should start during design development, not after permits.
4. Sequencing trades by optimism
A schedule without inspection hold points, material realities, and float is a wish. Critical path scheduling with weekly verification keeps the plan honest.
5. Treating closeout as an afterthought
Certificates of occupancy, fire marshal signoffs, and warranty documentation take time. Projects that start closeout 60 days early deliver on time, every time.
Building a Higher Standard
Planning a project in Miami or South Florida? Our senior team responds personally to every inquiry.
