FAQ
Answers to your Frequently Asked Questions
Read on to find answers to common questions about Don Pickett & Associates’ services and experience.
Commercial Construction & General Contracting
What does a commercial general contractor do?
A commercial general contractor handles all aspects of commercial construction, from coordinating architects, engineers, and subcontractors to managing scheduling, budgeting, quality control, and permitting. They act as the central point of accountability for the project’s success.
What types of projects does Don Pickett & Associates specialize in?
Don Pickett & Associates specializes in industrial, commercial, and build-to-suit developments, including warehouse and distribution facilities, office‑warehouse combos, retail spaces, and large-scale infrastructure builds.
How does the design-build delivery method benefit clients?
With design-build, one firm handles both design and construction. This approach streamlines communication, reduces change orders, accelerates schedules, and often lowers overall cost since responsibilities and risk are aligned under a single contract.
Can you renovate or convert an existing building instead of building from scratch?
Yes. DPA can adapt existing shell buildings or existing structures to meet your needs. Whether you require layout redesign, systems upgrades, or structural modifications, we tailor solutions to match your goals and budget.
How does Don Pickett & Associates ensure quality and consistency on projects?
We rely on long-term relationships with trusted subcontractors, rigorous quality control procedures, and centralized project management. This consistency helps reduce surprises, maintains schedule integrity, and delivers high-caliber finishes across every project.
Industrial Construction & Facilities
What qualifies a building as an “industrial” facility?
An industrial facility is designed for production, fabrication, storage, or distribution. It typically features high ceilings, heavy-duty structure, loading docks, large open floor plates, and robust utility and mechanical systems to support equipment and operations.
Can Don Pickett & Associates handle large-scale industrial warehouse projects?
Absolutely. We design and build industrial facilities ranging from tens of thousands to over a hundred thousand square feet, tailored for high-efficiency operations and logistical performance.
Do you provide build-to-suit industrial projects?
Yes. We specialize in build-to-suit services, which allow us to work closely with you to design and construct facilities that align exactly with your unique operational requirements and budget.
How do you ensure efficiency and cost control during industrial builds?
By combining design, development, and construction under one roof (design-build), leveraging long-term subcontractor relationships, and applying rigorous project management controls, we reduce change orders, streamline timelines, and keep costs predictable.
Can you retrofit or expand existing industrial buildings?
Definitely. We not only build new industrial facilities from the ground up, but also renovate or expand existing structures—adding new bays, optimizing interior layouts, upgrading utilities, or reinforcing infrastructure to meet evolving needs.
Leasing & Build to Suit
What does “build to suit lease” mean?
A build‑to‑suit lease lets us design and construct a custom facility tailored to your needs, and then lease it back to you under favorable terms.
Can I lease an existing building instead of building new?
Yes — we offer both new construction and building modifications or adaptive reuse of existing structures to match your requirements.
What are the benefits of working with a design-build contractor for leasing?
Using one firm for design and construction ensures a unified workflow, reduces coordination issues, speeds up delivery, and typically lowers total cost.
How long does it take from lease agreement to move-in?
The timeline depends on project size and complexity. For typical industrial or commercial buildings, expect planning, permitting, and construction phases; we’ll work closely with you to provide a realistic schedule.
Who handles maintenance and repairs during the lease term?
That depends on lease terms (e.g., triple net, full service). We can structure the lease to define who is responsible for maintenance, repairs, utilities, and building systems.
Develop Phase (Land Development)
What is land development in commercial construction?
Land development involves preparing raw land for construction, including site planning, subdivision, grading, and installing infrastructure like utilities, roads, and drainage systems.
How does Don Pickett & Associates help with land development?
DPA provides expert civil engineering, zoning coordination, and infrastructure planning to transform undeveloped land into build-ready commercial sites.
Do I need permits before starting commercial land development?
Yes. DPA helps navigate the permitting process with local jurisdictions, ensuring your land is compliant and ready for construction.
Design Phase (Architecture)
What’s included in the commercial building design process?
The design process includes concept planning, architectural drawings, code compliance, space planning, and permit submittals.
Can Don Pickett & Associates help me design a building that fits my business needs?
Absolutely. DPA creates custom, build-to-suit designs that reflect your vision while meeting functional, regulatory, and aesthetic goals.
What are the benefits of using an integrated design-build contractor?
You get faster timelines, clearer communication, and fewer change orders—because everything is handled by one team under one contract.
Build Phase (Construction)
What does a commercial general contractor do during the build phase?
A general contractor manages the entire construction process—coordinating subcontractors, schedules, budgets, safety, and quality control from groundbreaking to final inspection.
How long does it take to build a commercial warehouse or office building?
Timelines vary, but DPA provides accurate scheduling and keeps your project moving efficiently from foundation to finish.
Does Don Pickett & Associates use trusted subcontractors for construction?
Yes. DPA works with a consistent team of experienced subcontractors to ensure quality, reliability, and project consistency.
Can you handle both the design and construction of a commercial building?
Yes. As a full-service design-build firm, DPA manages both architecture and construction, streamlining your project from start to finish.
Let's Work Together
At Don Pickett & Associates, our land development services are designed to create enduring value and support the long-term success of our clients. Trust us to transform your vision into reality with precision, expertise, and unwavering dedication.
Clients we've worked with
