Client Spotlight: Southeast Venture, LLC
Southeast Venture, LLC’s history echoes and mirrors Crain’s history in several ways. These similarities are also what make them excellent partners. Both companies are Nashville institutions. Southeast Venture started in 1981, while Crain established operations in 1933. When Southeast Venture launched, Crain Construction’s Charles Gill worked with J.E. Crain to fund, plan, and build several […]
5 Keys to Early Cost Estimating in Commercial Pre-Construction
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
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
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 […]
5 Timeless Construction Principles We’ve Used Over the Past 90 Years
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
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
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 […]
Executive Spotlight: An Interview with Jim Pedigo, CFO at Crain Construction
As the CFO of Crain Construction, Jim Pedigo was initially hired in 1985 by Lewis Rankin, former CEO of Crain Construction, to replace Crain’s bookkeeper at the time. Taking the position at Crain is a decision that Jim looks back on as one of the best he’s ever made. “Crain is a great place to […]
5 Pre-Construction Questions to Maximize the Success of Your Next Project
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 […]
How “Doing the Right Thing” Impacts Our Construction Projects
Our mission is to build relationships and structures that last a lifetime. We believe the only way that’s possible is to approach our work with integrity, honesty, and responsibility. These values are more than just statements written on a wall or in an employee handbook. Our values inform the way we approach every project — […]
