Industrial Building Construction Playbook
Whether you're building a warehouse, manufacturing facility, distribution center, or flex space, the goal is the same: a building that will perform for the long haul.
As a leading Sioux Falls construction company, we've experienced firsthand how smart planning, quality execution, and the right team can turn an industrial building into a strategic asset. If you're gearing up for a new industrial building project, here’s what you need to know before breaking ground.
1. Start With Strategy
Before you sketch a single wall or pour a single yard of concrete, get crystal clear on this: What does your building need to do for your business?
Too often, people jump into design or site selection without zooming out to look at the bigger picture. An industrial building isn’t just a place to park your equipment—it’s the backbone of your operations, productivity, and growth. Our experienced team at Axiom Construction Group will help you make thoughtful decisions that align with your business, considering things like:
Your operational flow: How will materials, people, and equipment move through the space?
Flexibility for future use: Will you need more space in five years? Can the layout adapt?
Energy usage: Are there opportunities to reduce long-term costs with efficient systems?
Strategic planning and design will not only help the construction process go more smoothly, but it will leave you with a better-looking and better-performing building.
2. Get Clear on Budget and Schedule Early
In construction, clarity is everything. You need to know upfront how much things will cost, how long they’ll take, and what could throw things off track. Transparent communication with your contractor about budget and timeline expectations will help everything run more smoothly from the start.
Pro tip: Don’t just look for the smallest price tag. Cheap can get expensive fast. Partnering with a construction company that provides a complete, transparent, and honest proposal will save you in more ways than one.
3. Choose a Design-Build Approach
If you’re looking to save time, reduce costs, and eliminate the chaos that often plagues construction projects, consider hiring a design-build contractor.
In the design-build model, one team handles both the design and construction. This means you’ll have fewer contracts, better coordination, and a single point of accountability. You also benefit from real-time pricing feedback during the design phase, which helps keep your project within budget from day one.
At Axiom, our design-build process is lean, smart, and collaborative. It’s how we keep projects moving and deliver what we promise. Learn more about the many benefits of the design-build model in our recent blog post.
4. Location, Location, Logistics
Where you build can be just as important as what you build. Your site impacts everything from permitting to truck access to future expansion.
Key factors to evaluate include:
Zoning and regulations: Zoning can affect everything from building height and parking ratios to how close you can build to a property line. Axiom Construction Group is experienced in navigating these regulations. We’ll even managing the rezoning process when necessary, so you don’t get stuck in red tape.
Soil and topography: Your foundation is only as good as the ground it's built on. Soil testing early on can prevent big surprises.
Proximity to transportation: Access to highways, rail lines, or shipping routes can make or break your logistics.
And don’t forget utilities—power, water, sewer, and internet. They’re not always as available as you'd think, especially in rural or developing areas.
5. Steel or Stick? Know Your Structural Options
Industrial buildings are often built using pre-engineered steel systems, but stick-built framing still has its place, especially for hybrid or multi-use facilities.
Steel buildings are ideal for:
Large clear spans (no interior columns)
Fast construction timelines
Durability and low maintenance
Cost efficiency for large square footage
Stick-built structures may be better suited for:
More detailed architectural elements
Complex layouts or custom configurations
Buildings with mixed-use components (office + warehouse)
6. Build for Code and Beyond
Building codes exist to keep people safe, but your building needs to do more than pass inspection. It should support the way you work, impress your clients, and make your employees proud to show up each day.
Consider going above the minimum in areas like:
Fire protection
Insulation and energy performance
Air quality and ventilation
Lighting and natural daylighting
During the planning and design phase, we’ll discuss your goals and industry-specific needs to help you determine your best course of action when it comes to these metrics. These decisions pay dividends in safety, longevity, and brand perception.
7. Think Long-Term Maintenance
Industrial buildings are tough, but they’re not indestructible. Choosing the right materials and systems today can save you major repair costs down the road.
Here’s what to look out for:
Concrete flatwork: It needs to be thick enough to handle your heaviest loads, and finished properly to avoid cracking.
Roofing systems: Consider white TPO or metal for longevity and energy efficiency.
HVAC: An oversized or undersized system will cost you—in energy bills and in comfort.
Exterior finishes: Think impact-resistant, low-maintenance materials that still look sharp.
Moisture protection: Proper grading and water mitigation systems built in from the start will save you from expensive disaster later.
A design-build partner like Axiom Construction Group can help you evaluate lifecycle costs and make smart choices up front.
8. Plan for Scalability
A good industrial building will fit your business now and grow with you in the years to come. If there’s a good chance you’ll need more room in the future, plan for it now.
That could mean:
Installing stubbed utilities for future plumbing or equipment
Leaving knock-out wall panels or removable bays
Oversizing parking, loading docks, or HVAC zones
It’s often easier (and cheaper) to plan ahead than retrofit later.
9. Don’t Skimp on Aesthetics
Industrial doesn’t have to mean ugly or boring.
We’ve designed many buildings for clients who wanted their facilities to make a strong first impression—not just with customers, but with investors, partners, and even their own team. Your building is part of your brand. A clean, modern exterior or an upgraded office entry can go a long way in signaling quality and professionalism.
10. Work With the Right People
This one can’t be overstated. Hiring the right construction company makes all the difference.
Look for a team that:
Has extensive experience in commercial and industrial construction
Has a proven track record in your region
Communicates clearly and consistently
Shares your values around transparency, budget, and quality
An industrial building is a big investment and a big opportunity. When done right, your facility becomes a strategic advantage, helping your business operate more efficiently, grow faster, and look better doing it. At Axiom, we bring honesty and expertise to every job and take pride in everything we do. Trusted by developers and business owners in the Sioux Falls area and beyond, we offer a streamlined design-build approach that puts your business goals first. We strive to build lasting, supportive business relationships while creating buildings that perform.
Give us a call to kick off your next project.
