What Every Commercial Developer Should Know About Building in Nashville

The BNA Hilton under construction in Nashville, Tennessee

Crain Construction is a local commercial construction firm with 90 years of history. Because of that history, we’re not surprised that Nashville has become one of the most popular cities in the country for commercial development. Nashville is a great place to be, and this has resulted in tremendous growth. Our city’s diverse economy, low […]

9 of Our Most Memorable Projects from the Past 90 Years

An aerial view of the Aertson and surrounding buildings on the west side of downtown Nashville.

2023 marks our 90th year as a construction company in Nashville. To honor the occasion, and the hundreds of men and women who played a role in helping our company achieve such a milestone, we wanted to highlight a few of our most memorable projects.  As we look back —and recall the thousands of projects […]

5 Keys to Early Cost Estimating in Commercial Pre-Construction

man looking at construction plans on a wood table

Staying within budget is one of the most important factors in any commercial construction project. There are many decisions to be made throughout the construction process, and an accurate estimate is essential to ensure that the overarching plan for your project is sound. The pre-construction phase helps build a solid foundation for commercial construction, especially […]

How to Navigate Seasonal Challenges in Commercial Construction

The BNA Hilton rooftop while it was still under construction

Navigating seasonal challenges in commercial construction is an essential aspect of hitting key milestones and maximizing the success of a project. While living in the southeast offers the incredible benefit of enjoying all four seasons, it also means that general contractors need to understand how various weather conditions can impact a job site. From managing […]

Our Effective Framework for Commercial Construction Communication

Construction workers busy doing dirt work at the Crestmoor site in Nashville

Every commercial construction project consists of many different elements. These include different roles, tasks, meetings, details, and decisions throughout the course of the project. Clear and effective communication is key to ensuring all of these factors work together smoothly. On the flip side, poor communication is one of the prevailing issues that can derail a […]

7 Issues that Can Derail a Commercial Construction Project

An excavator scooping gravel on a construction site.

A commercial construction project functions like an ecosystem. There are hundreds of individual components, individuals, and decisions that can affect each part of the process. If something goes awry, such as long lead times or unexpected delays, the overall timeline can be impacted. While project delays can stem from a wide variety of root causes, […]

5 Timeless Construction Principles We’ve Used Over the Past 90 Years

Crain Construction logo on a Crain raised high in the clouds

2023 is an exciting year for our team at Crain as we celebrate our 90th year as a commercial construction firm in Nashville. Over the decades, the Crain name has been known for a commitment to quality, integrity, and doing business in a way that puts relationships first. While our focus has shifted from building […]

Crain’s Commitment to the Next Generation of Construction Talent

the Crain Construction team on the rooftop of the BNA Hilton with hardhats on a cloudy day

Labor shortages and the need for training the next generation of construction talent are well-known issues across our industry. According to the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), the United States had 430,000 open construction jobs in 2021. At the same time, a survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) […]

Nashville Commercial Construction – Trends & Insights for 2023

BNA Hilton pouring the rooftop pool deck on a cloudy day

As a construction company entering our tenth decade in Nashville, we’ve seen our city change significantly over the years. While we take pride in knowing Nashville and staying ahead of trends within the construction industry, we don’t have a crystal ball that can anticipate all the factors that will impact our city. Given the unpredictable […]

5 Pre-Construction Questions to Maximize the Success of Your Next Project

two male workers looking over plans and discussing Pre-construction questions

Every owner and developer wants their construction project to go as smoothly as possible. But to have a successful construction process, steps must be taken before construction begins. At Crain, part of our role is to help set a project up for success before the first shovel ever hits the ground. Pre-construction plays a valuable […]