Smet Construction Services’ unique method of delivering design-build construction management services generates efficiencies for building owners while providing the flexibility to independently bid each phase. The De Pere, Wisconsin-based firm coordinates build-to-lease projects along with overseeing all elements of traditionally contracted construction projects.

Smet’s hybrid approach to construction management takes the hassle out of the bid process without sacrificing the benefits of having a project leader serving as a single point of contact. The approach makes it possible to assemble an all-star team of the best local crews who can deliver exceptional results.

“We simplify what can be a very complicated process by overseeing design, project budgets, bids and subcontractors,” explains Scott Smet, president and chief executive officer of Smet Construction Services. “The construction business has been in our family for 88 years now, and we have earned a reputation for having specialists who can oversee every aspect of development and construction.”

Smet’s in-house specialists cover a wide range of services including:

• Pre-construction planning
• Build to lease
• General contracting
• Architectural design-build
• Construction management
• Renovations/Build-outs
• Interior design

Updated project profiles highlight new Smet Construction Services website

The recently updated Smet Construction Services website, found at https://www.smet.com/, has a new look and enhanced functionality that allows for ease of navigation, as well as a mobile-friendly browsing experience.

“We are excited to share our design-build construction management model and project profiles through the updated website,” Smet says. “It showcases our wide variety of work to prospective clients and team members.”

The updated site also includes a streamlined employment application portal that makes it easy for job seekers to submit their information. Smet competes for high-quality talent as a leading construction management company in northeast Wisconsin.

“Website technology is an evolving tool within the marketing and recruitment sectors of today’s economy,” states Smet. “It makes sense to leverage the latest web-based tools for the benefit of both prospective team members and clients.”

About Smet Construction Services Corp.

Smet Construction Services is a single-source provider of comprehensive building construction planning and project execution services. Based in De Pere, Wisconsin, Smet delivers turnkey projects with services ranging from financing and grant sourcing through bidding, design-build, construction management and general construction. Visit https://www.smet.com/ or call 920-532-3828 to start planning your next construction project.

If you are a business whose growth requires a larger facility and expansion is not possible, your only real options are to build new or to buy or lease an existing building and do commercial renovations. Smet Construction Services Corp believes that it is definitely worthwhile to explore the costs and benefits of both options.
Although commercial renovations can entail some unique challenges and unknowns, many older properties may offer values and amenities that new construction may not provide; things like historic character, urban amenities due to location, visibility, accessibility and employment appeal.
Companies weighing the possibility of moving and renovating should carefully consider the most significant challenges, costs and benefits before moving forward. Pre-construction planning with Smet’s Pre-construction Agreement is the perfect place to start.
“Over the course of the past five years, we have managed several projects to renovate and transform older buildings, some almost 100 years old,” says Scott Smet, owner and CEO of Smet in Green Bay. “That experience provides us with the ability to share the most significant challenges with customers considering commercial renovations and to provide them with real solutions and budgets.”

Critical considerations for commercial renovations

• Conditions: What is the age of the roof, the condition of HVAC system, electrical service and plumbing? Is the foundation and structure sound? What is the condition of openings and elevators? Is ample parking available? Is environmental testing necessary for toxic materials? Is there a functional fire-suppression system? How might these existing conditions impact costs?
• Space planning and design: Will the existing space accommodate all of your employees and allow you to design an environment that will enhance productivity and support your operations? Will the space provide flexibility and room to grow? What level of finish do you seek, and what will that cost? Engaging interior design expertise early is always a good idea.
• Schedule: What is the anticipated length of time for design, local and state approvals, demolition and build-out before you can occupy the space? Having an accurate schedule will allow you to make proper plans for IT design, move management and any equipment or furniture orders.
• Budget and financing: Knowing the potential cost may be the deciding factor in your decision for commercial renovations. You will need to obtain a realistic budget that takes into consideration all of the anticipated costs, and any alternative solutions that can reduce costs. You will want a builder who will explore any financing incentives or tax credits that may apply to the project.

The number of issues and challenges to consider when deciding whether to build or work on commercial renovations may seem overwhelming, but not for Smet. It’s what we do every day, and why you should talk to us when considering your construction needs.

About Smet Construction Services Corp

Smet Construction Services Corp is a third-generation building contractor specializing in adapting the design-build and construction management project delivery methods. They work to form a unique partnership with their customers in designing and building their commercial, specialized or industrial construction projects.
Greg Runnoe
Business Development
Smet Construction Services, Inc. 920-619-1129
grunnoe@smet.com

More than ever, the need to initiate pre-construction planning early has become a key ingredient in timely, cost-effective commercial and industrial construction projects. Planning for winter construction with Smet Construction Services Corp. should begin in early spring. Waiting too long to integrate construction management services into the architectural and design processes can cost you both time and money. Longer projects usually mean greater cost, but starting the planning process early can help to change that.
“If you are planning for new construction in a year, the time for strategic pre-construction planning is now,” says Scott Smet, president and CEO of Smet in Green Bay, Wisconsin. “It’s really never too early to begin the planning process. Longer-length planning tends to uncover problems before they become costly obstacles.”

How pre-construction planning can help

Budgeting is usually the key determining factor of a project moving forward. So why wait to address the most important consideration? Make budgeting a priority by having Smet provide a cost analysis at the earliest stage of planning before significant amounts of money are risked in design and engineering. Every lender wants to have an accurate assessment of project cost. Delaying a project because of budget overruns and redesigns is completely preventable. Strategic budgeting is one of the greatest values that a pre-construction services agreement with Smet will provide.

Proper site analysis/planning early on will eliminate unexpected challenges for easements, soil conditions, environmental concerns, ingress and egress, parking and storm-water management. A well-conceived site plan sets the stage for a successful project.
“There seems to be a mindset that causes people to wait too long to begin pre-construction planning,” says Smet. “We want businesses to know that it’s never too early, and that the amount of time invested in pre-construction planning will be directly reflected in long-term quality.”
Talk to Smet about how pre-construction planning can keep your project on time and on budget.

About Smet Construction Services Corp

Smet Construction Services Corp is a third-generation building contractor specializing in adapting the design-build and construction management project delivery methods. They work to form a unique partnership with their customers in designing and building their commercial, specialized or industrial construction projects.
Greg Runnoe Business Development
Smet Construction Services Corp 920-619-1129
grunnoe@smet.com

The depth and value of commercial and industrial construction management continues to expand at Smet Construction Services Corp.
Whether you are building new, renovating or adding on, some well-spent time in the preconstruction analysis of utility and energy needs can save you tens of thousands of dollars or more per year and provide maximum energy efficiency for your growing business.
What’s even better is that for qualified commercial and industrial construction projects the facility energy analysis is free, as is the complete design and installation costs of new HVAC systems and lighting! A unique financing program through Smet will allow you to pay a monthly fee that combined with utility costs reductions guarantees net savings.
“Utility and energy consumption represent significant bottom-line building life cycle costs for our customers.” says Scott Smet, president and CEO of Smet Construction Services in Green Bay, WI. “The ability to engineer and finance the most energy-efficient systems in a new or renovated space during commercial construction project management can provide a real advantage for many companies for years to come.”

Areas of highest impact looked at before commercial and industrial construction begins

• Electrical service– Determining how manufacturing equipment and other facility features impact energy consumption and affect HVAC requirements.
• Lighting design– Utilizing the latest fixtures and lighting design to provide the greatest function and efficiency.
• HVAC– Taking advantage of the most energy-efficient equipment and design to provide the greatest degree of comfort and affordability.
• Thermal insulation– Designing and installing the most effective insulation system for maximum thermal value.
• Windows – Maximizing solar and natural light and passive heat permeation in winter and minimizing passive heat in summer through strategic placement of windows and shade control systems.

Providing the most modern and efficient energy systems requires a qualified audit and analysis for an existing building or for new commercial or industrial construction requirements. Smet will engage analysis on multiple engineering levels to provide a thorough and in-depth summary for new design including HVAC, thermal insulation, lighting and windows. All improvements related to energy design can be financed to reduce short and long-term manufacturing costs.
“Whether you’re in an old building or building new, taking advantage of an opportunity to update systems to reduce utility costs will positively impact company operations for many, many years,” says Scott Smet.
Talk to Smet today about the value of experienced and professional preconstruction planning, so that your new building takes advantage of optimized project delivery.

About Smet Construction Services Corp

Smet Construction Services Corp is a third-generation building contractor specializing in adapting the design-build and construction management project delivery methods. They work to form a unique partnership with their customers in designing and building their commercial, specialized or industrial construction projects.
Scott Smet, CEO
Smet Construction Services, Inc. 920-655-7019
ssmet@smet.com

While the full fury of winter may not hit until after the Christmas holidays, the same is not true for commercial construction schedules. Winter can actually be a good time to kick off building projects, but if you wait too long to engage in proper preconstruction planning you likely will be left out in the cold. Late summer and early fall are critical times to finalize commercial construction project management plans for winter construction recommends Smet Construction Services.
“Even with an accelerated design process, the additional time it takes to obtain local and state approvals can push groundbreaking out for months,” says Scott Smet, President and CEO of Smet Construction Services in Green Bay, Wisconsin. “That’s why it’s crucial to execute a plan and schedule that allows you to take advantage of the seasonal tendencies in construction. We have learned that waiting until spring is not always a better option.”
The unpredictable conditions of spring weather can often mean unknown delays in getting projects started. Wet ground and tighter schedules for subcontractors can make it difficult to deploy services in a timely manner. And normal spring price increases for materials can make the wait even more painful.
These factors will easily offset any minor costs incurred from winter conditions, when competition for commercial construction project management is much less intense. The result is getting into your new building sooner and getting a jump on increased productivity.

Commercial construction project management starts with planning

Taking advantage of late fall and early winter weather conditions will allow major site work for footings, foundations and utility infrastructure to be completed while ground conditions are still favorable. Once the structure is enclosed workers can proceed with interior initiatives in a controlled environment during the most severe stretch of winter. By April, when other businesses are caught in the traffic jam of spring construction startups, you will be taking your final steps toward occupancy.
“We want all our clients to understand the real impacts of Wisconsin weather on construction and not to be intimidated by false perceptions,” says Smet. “With proper scheduling and planning, construction in winter can be a real advantage for them.”
Talk to Smet today about the value of hiring an experienced and professional design-build construction company to do your commercial construction project management, so that your new building takes advantage of optimized project delivery.

About Smet Construction Services, Inc.

Smet Construction Services, Inc. is a third-generation building contractor specializing in adapting the design-build and construction management project delivery methods. They work to form a unique partnership with their customers in designing and building their industrial, commercial or specialized construction projects
Mark Schumacher Business Development
Smet Construction Services, Inc. 920-660-5016
mschumacher@smet.com

It’s common sense, right? You verify that your construction budget can meet and exceed the facility needs that will allow you to prosper and grow. It sounds simple enough. But far too often, companies travel down a costly and intensive path of planning their dream facility, only to find that they cannot afford the dream facility they have been designing with one of the many local manufacturing contractors. Smet Construction Services, Inc., a design-build construction company, can help you stay on track.
It’s why a Preconstruction Services Agreement (PSA) is such a vital tool. One of the primary components of a design build construction company is establishing a budget in the very first stages of conceptual planning for a new building or for an addition. It’s true; a well-conceived PSA may require an upfront investment for conceptual planning and feasibility. But the money invested will provide a real sense of what can be accomplished within a fixed budget, well before far greater sums are spent to develop site planning and structural engineering.
“Knowing what your budget is from the outset allows us to determine how much building you can get in the final scheme,” says Scott Smet, president and CEO of Smet. “For a minimal investment we can initiate preliminary conceptual planning, feasibility and estimating, information that will provide legitimate information for owners seeking to make the right decision.”
Without a legitimate budget and a solid PSA, chances are you may end up holding a great set of building plans, a significant bill and nothing more.

Other benefits of budgetary planning through a design build construction company

• A thorough site evaluation by your design-build construction company will not only help determine building-size parameters but can also reveal other unknown costs that will impact your final budget like soil quality, storm-water drainage, utility access and municipality requirements for design.
• Budgetary planning can help to provide a cost analysis for leasing versus owning your new building.
• Smet can provide access to appropriate equity partners to finance your project.
• Smet’s team will help explore incentives like TIF financing and other tax credits that can help to defray owner costs.
• Well-informed budgetary planning means your valuable time will not be wasted by months of costly design that, in the end, needs to be scrapped or redesigned.

Smet will tailor an agreement that will provide you with all of the critical information that you need at the earliest stages of planning so you can make the best decision possible before investing in more planning costs. Call us today to talk about our experience as a design build construction company and how to best plan a building that will meet your budget.

About Smet Construction Services, Inc.

Smet Construction Services, Inc. is a third-generation building contractor specializing in adapting the design-build and construction management project delivery methods. They work to form a unique partnership with their customers in designing and building their industrial, commercial or specialized construction projects.
For more information, contact a member of our business development team at (920) 532-3828 or visit smet.com.
Scott Smet, CEO
(920) 655-7019 ssmet@smet.com

What does your building say about you? Most often, it is your building (not you) that provides the first professional impression of your company for prospective employees. Smet Construction Services, one of the leading manufacturing contractors in Green Bay, has decades of experience in delivering buildings that create the right impression.
Employees are still the greatest business commodity, and the competition for good employees is higher than ever. That’s reflected in the growing number of employment-recruiting services and online job-services sites.

Identifying, attracting and retaining employees is vital for any growing business. Innovative companies have embraced the fact that good building design can be a deciding influence not only in getting the right people to work for them, but to retain them and get them to perform at their best.
“Millennials and other workers are increasingly drawn to employers who show that they care about the quality of work environments,” says Scott Smet, president and CEO of Smet Construction Services, Inc. “There is definitely competition for workers, and we see trends where more companies want to incorporate building features that differentiate them from competitors, and help them attract workers of all ages.”
Professionals, young and old, will gravitate toward businesses whose work environments are designed by manufacturing contractors to provide wellness, comfort, interactivity and innovation. Happy, healthy employees are more productive employees. And in both new construction and renovation, it’s not always about a higher cost; it’s about better design and planning. Good design incorporates amenities that create an environment where new employees will want to work and where existing employees will want to stay.

Features manufacturing contractors include in employee-friendly buildings

• Green construction companies incorporate outdoor green spaces, patios and decks that offer employees an alternative setting for lunch breaks.
• Offices designed to allow greater permeation of natural light provide healthier work environments.
• Well-designed breakrooms become great flex spaces for meetings and social gatherings.
• Exercise rooms promote wellness and provide great stress-reducing activities for break times.
• Small, informal lounge areas can break the monotony of desks and offer additional flex space for less formal interaction.
• Dynamic open-office planning can facilitate greater collaborative opportunities which can drive innovation and promote teamwork.
• Private breakout rooms can support multi-purpose functions and offer the availability of privacy when needed.
• Good interior design takes advantage of the professional coordination of color, art and finishes in a way that creates warm and inviting spaces which help to avoid the corporate tendencies toward sterile and institutional environments.

Manufacturing contractors, such as Smet Construction Services, believe your buildings should be the best reflection of who you are and this will attract the best staff and best clients.

About Smet Construction Services, Inc.

Smet Construction Services, Inc. is a third-generation building contractor specializing in adapting the design-build and construction management project delivery methods. They work to form a unique partnership with their customers in designing and building their industrial, commercial or specialized construction projects.
For more information, contact a member of our business development team at (920) 532-3828 or visit smet.com.
Greg Runnoe
Business Development Associate
(920) 619-1129 grunnoe@smet.com

There was a time when green building practices were an uncommon component of commercial construction projects, and when sustainability and environmental impact were not a primary concern of builders and company owners. Over the years that mindset of green construction companies and Smet Construction Services, Inc. has changed dramatically.
Thanks mainly to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), the most widely recognized building rating system in the world, the standards for green construction companies have become commonplace for building projects.
LEED grew out of the establishment of the U.S. Green Building Council, established in 1993. In 2000, LEED officially began recognizing construction projects noteworthy for exceptional environmental and health performance.
“Adhering to good building practices every day means that our standard projects are already green,” says Scott Smet, owner and CEO of Smet Construction in Green Bay. “It used to be that many of the initiatives promoted by LEED were just too costly for many companies to justify. Now, many of those certification requirements have become inherent components of construction technology and design.”

Common practices of green construction companies

• Waste Management – Debris from renovation, excavation and leftover construction materials are recycled or disposed of in a manner to minimize waste and environmental impact.
• Environmental Testing – Soils and existing materials are tested to determine any levels of toxic presence and are removed and disposed of in accordance with state and federal laws.
• Stormwater Management – Properties are designed to minimize the amount of runoff water entering municipal systems and to support the vitality of green spaces and landscape design.
• Energy Efficiency –Heating and cooling systems and insulation systems are designed to provide maximized energy efficiency and to reduce the consumption of fuel and electricity. Equipment and fixtures take advantage of new technologies like LED lightsto save energy and provide long-life performance.
• Low-Emitting Materials – Materials like carpet, paint and adhesives are selected to reduce the amount of unhealthy off-gassing for trade worker and employee well-being.
• Natural Light – Proper design and building orientation allows healthy natural light permeation for a brighter and healthier work environment.
• Recycled Content – Utilizing construction materials manufactured from postconsumer and postindustrial use greatly diminishes the amount of waste entering landfills.

Green construction companies and good building practices are good business for everyone. Talk to Smet Construction today to learn how we can promote green building for your next construction project.

About Smet Construction Services, Inc.

Smet Construction Services, Inc. is a third-generation building contractor specializing in adapting the design-build and construction management project delivery methods. They work to form a unique partnership with their customers in designing and building their industrial, commercial or specialized construction projects.
For more information, contact a member of our business development team at (920) 532-3828 or visit smet.com.
Scott Smet (920) 655-7019 ssmet@smet.com
Greg Runnoe at (920) 619-1129 grunnoe@smet.com

It’s only a matter of time. While there is currently not a Green Bay building contractor utilizing 3D printing methods, that will likely change in coming years. Smet Construction Services, Inc. understands that continuing advances in construction technology such as LSAM (Large-Scale Additive Manufacturing) technology are bound to impact the construction industry everywhere.
At the heart of LSAM is concrete extrusion technology, a method of producing physical objects layer by layer from a computer-aided machine guided by digital 3D models. A specially formulated concrete mix allows the process to be fast and the structure to be strong and energy efficient.
Perhaps the most powerful impact of this technology will be for the 1.2 billion people who live without adequate shelter in the world. Already there are plans to build 10,000 homes in El Salvador at a cost of about $4,000 per home.

Benefits of 3D construction technology

• Speed— Small homes can already be printed in 48 hours with openings left for doors and windows, and electrical and plumbing infrastructure. Less time means less cost.
• Less waste— Precise design and fabrication allows greater efficiency in use of materials for extrusion. Utilizing local and recycled materials can provide additional savings.
• Accuracy and Precision— Digital modeling ensures that sizes and dimensions are precise and will eliminate time needed for modifying in the field.
• Structural Strength— Digitally engineered structural design provides durability and strength.
• Energy Efficiency— Specially formulated concrete provides optimum insulating values.

But how will construction in northeastern Wisconsin most likely be affected by LSAM?
“Already we are seeing the advent of automated milling and the prefabrication of framed components for construction projects. Extrusion construction technology will simply add another process into the equation,” says Scott Smet, President and CEO of Smet Construction Services, Inc. “It may be that rather than replacing traditional construction, 3D printing will be used to make specific components off-site and on-site.”
Certainly, education and training will need to keep pace with new construction technology. Tomorrow’s architects and engineers will need to master 3D digital programming skills. Likewise, carpenters and skilled laborers will need to learn to co-work with automated technology.
Smet says that while his company will always embrace technology, it will continue to rely most heavily on its greatest commodity: talented people. “Automated construction technology may provide greater efficiency, but you will always need skilled people for successful projects.”

About Smet Construction Services, Inc.

Smet Construction Services, Inc. is a third-generation building contractor specializing in adapting the design-build and construction management project delivery methods. They work to form a unique partnership with their customers in designing and building their industrial, commercial or specialized construction projects.
For more information, contact a member of our business development team at (920) 532-3828 or visit smet.com.
Greg Runnoe at (920) 619-1129 grunnoe@smet.com
Mark Schumacher at (920) 660-5016 mschumacher@smet.com