When developers expand their operations into new territories, geographic growth often poses significant challenges. Navigating unique regional rules and regulations can stall a project before a developer even breaks ground. 

Traditionally, developers have relied on general contractors to get them through these complex gaps. However, managing this approach can be risky if the GC lacks intimate knowledge of the target submarket, forcing developers to manage multiple, disjointed regional teams.

PREMIER Design + Build Group, a national contractor and design-build firm specializing in industrial, commercial and multifamily construction, understands the value of aligning national scale with local, regional expertise.

“This is why the modern construction landscape has to change into a hybrid approach seamlessly combining the robust infrastructure of a national contractor with the hyperfocused execution of local leadership,” said Ed Pitula, PREMIER’s executive vice president of the central region.

The Developer's Dilemma In Market Expansion 

When crossing state lines, developers frequently find that execution strategies can’t simply be copied site to site. Different regional variables hidden beneath the surface can completely upend a project's financial underwriting if not managed by an expert. 

After more than two decades, PREMIER knows this very well in the three regions it covers across eight offices nationwide.

“It’s critical to understand the nuances of the specific market you’re entering,” Pitula said. “This localized knowledge is essential to a project's success.”

One prime example that lies beneath the surface: soil composition. While Chicago features unique clay compositions, Reno, Nevada, presents volcanic rock challenges. Understanding these regional variables and knowing how to communicate them to subcontractors is essential. 

“Our teams deal with these unique situations alongside civil engineers and geotechnical contractors and know these solutions inside and out,” Pitula said. “Knowing the right subcontractor to talk to is invaluable to the owners that entrust us to give them the best opportunity for success in their developments.”

This deep local knowledge and strong network, built over the past two decades, has fueled PREMIER’s evolution from a Chicagoland firm to expanding its operations coast to coast.

The Power Of National Reach And Local Leadership

To mitigate these cross-border risks, leading developers are pivoting away from fragmented regional bidding in favor of single-source accountability. Operating under a true design-build framework provides a critical buffer for the developer, creating streamlined communication with the owners and project teams.

“We are just one telephone call away from the developer,” Pitula said. “As a design builder, we hold the contracts for both the architect and engineer, and we take that responsibility as well.” 

This boots-on-the-ground approach also eliminates “finger-pointing” when there’s an issue that arises. A national contractor like PREMIER can step in to speak directly to the architect, engineer or subcontractor to resolve any problems, Pitula added. 

This hybrid model requires on-site leaders who can monitor daily projects in real time. Ron Nelsen, PREMIER's executive vice president, who started as a top superintendent and now oversees the company’s entire field team, said this also means “watching everyday signals” and never assuming a project will go exactly as planned.

“We reject the mindset of ‘we’ve always done it this way,’” he said. “We treat every new project as a learning opportunity, then adjust based on the lessons learned in real-time. If you don’t adapt to these shifts, you’ll be left behind.” 

Finding Solutions For Site And Municipal Hurdles

Site hurdles are inevitable regardless of the geographical location, and they require a partner capable of translating local conditions into solutions.

“In the Midwest, there are wetland issues, and in Reno, we face arid conditions and rock excavations because of the desert environment,” Pitula said. “Knowing the lay of the land and what to look for is extremely important.” 

Beyond site constraints, it's equally important to know the regulatory environment of each region. Since municipalities want their sites and buildings to conform with specific guidelines, it's important to get involved early because standard zoning and building requirements don't always match the needs of a project site. 

Instead of looking at this as a pain point, it is a good opportunity for a leading contractor to partner with local municipalities and educate them on mutually beneficial solutions.

“We’ll walk them through the site and demonstrate how certain variances benefit both the developer and the municipality,” Pitula said. “In a traditional contracting situation, a developer will hire an engineer and an architect, creating a set of full plans, while the contractor will just bid on it. We prefer to act as the developers’ right arm.”

Embracing Technology For More Operational Consistency

Another way that contractors can stay ahead at any location is by embracing technology. 

On the field level, Pitula said everyday mobile technology is helpful on-site. A superintendent can take a picture out in the field and send it to a developer to quickly resolve an issue. This saves time and provides stakeholders with real-time updates.  

To manage teams nationally, PREMIER utilizes centralized systems like Procore to track change orders, scheduling and insurance across regions to bring projects to market much faster.

“We used to struggle managing the paperwork,” Pitula said. “This centralized information helps us become nimble and responsive because our operations need to be seamless across all divisions. For example, if the company needs to bring a superintendent to California, they can use the same software out there that they use in Chicago.”

Superintendents can see when a truck shows up to the jobsite and verify that insurance and safety manuals are up to date and accurate before they “put a shovel in the ground,” he added.  

Pairing New Talent With Local Leadership

Company growth is key to PREMIER's goal of having boots on the ground in every region, and that growth revolves around developing talent for the next generation, even with the construction industry facing a shortage of younger people entering the trades, Nelsen said.

To capture this talent, PREMIER not only does its own outreach through college fairs and internships to hire new employees, but the company also has an “internal professional development program called PREMIER U,” Nelsen said. 

This “one-stop platform” helps employees build a successful career at PREMIER through strong mentorship and creates better engagement and deeper knowledge across its offices.

“Continuous education is very important here,” Pitula said. “We mentor our staff and promote from within — from the development side to the entitlement side — so they understand how all pieces of the pie fit together.” 

PREMIER is looking forward to what’s to come in the next 20 years and plans to rely on the foundation that got it here: long-lasting customer relationships.

Nelsen emphasized that this loyalty is earned through hard work and mutual respect, which is why some client relationships have lasted for two decades. 

“Even if it’s five years down the road, we help our clients solve problems or point them in the right direction,” he said. “This has been one of our biggest assets, and I think a lot of contractors miss out on that type of ongoing service.” 

This article was produced in collaboration between PREMIER and Studio B. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content. 

Studio B is Bisnow’s in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to studio@bisnow.com.