Commercial vs. Residential Projects: Which Is Right For You

Words: Anton Shadrock title
Photos: Shadrock & Williams Masonry, kschulze, Lex20, rzelich, PaulMaguire, Aiselin82

As masonry contractors, we all face plenty of challenges - from the cost of maintaining safety standards to dealing with workforce issues. But one question has stayed constant throughout my 30+ years in the industry: Which is better - commercial or residential work?

Finding Your Own Way
If you put a group of people from our industry in a room, it won't be long before someone brings up that question. Commercial or residential - which one should you focus on?

In my experience, each has its pros and cons. But before we get into them, the most important thing to understand is this: There's no one right answer.

There's only the right answer for you and that might be different from the right answer for someone else.

We're all different. It comes down to which type of work you prefer. So if you've already made a choice and you're happy doing what you do, nothing I say here should change your mind. Similarly, if you're doing both and it's working, then keep going.

There's no reason to abandon success just because someone else prefers a different path. It should always be your choice, for your reasons.

The Fundamental Differences
At the end of the day, there are some basic differences between residential and commercial masonry work.

The biggest difference is scale. Residential projects usually involve nothing larger than a single- family home - by nature, limited in size. Commercial projects, on the other hand, tend to be much bigger - not just in terms of workload, but in complexity too.

That difference alone might push you toward one side or the other. Some people like the faster pace of residential jobs, moving quickly from one project to the next. Others prefer the longer- term stability that comes with bigger commercial contracts.

Beyond size, there are technical differences in how the work is carried out - and those can have a real impact on your day-to-day experience as a contractor.

The Pros and Cons of Residential Work
Residential work is usually focused on smaller projects, often working directly with the property owner. That brings certain advantages and, of course, a few challenges too.

Pros:

Residential projects must follow construction documents, but compared to commercial jobs, the requirements tend to be much less restrictive.

Materials regulations are looser.
On-site behavior expectations are more relaxed.
There's less paperwork to deal with.

Homeowners often rely on your expertise to help them find the best solutions, which creates a less intense environment. You're trusted to manage the project without being micromanaged, and that often allows some creative freedom that's hard to find on a commercial site.

Cons:

One of the biggest "pros" can also become the biggest "con": the homeowner.

As a masonry contractor, you'll often work directly with the person paying the bills. That sounds great - until you meet the homeowner who doesn't know what they want.

How do you guide someone to a destination when they can't even describe it themselves?

It can be frustrating — or worse, it can lead to endless design changes, scheduling delays, and major disruptions to your workflow.

The Pros and Cons of Commercial Work
Commercial projects usually mean larger jobs - and larger contracts - so it's easy to see why a lot of contractors are drawn to that side of the industry. But, just like residential work, commercial masonry has its own ups and downs.

Pros:

In commercial work, everything is tightly planned and scheduled by the general contractor. You'll work alongside project managers whose job is to make sure the plan is followed exactly.

With so many moving parts on a large site, having a clear roadmap can make the work feel structured and predictable - you'll always know exactly what's expected of you and when it needs to be done.

Cons:

The downside is that you have a lot less input. You won't have the same opportunity to leave your personal mark on the project like you might with residential work. Some people find that disappointing.

Another important consideration is the compliance side of things. Commercial projects have much tighter specifications - everything from materials selection to how things are stored on- site. It's a different level of oversight, and it can make projects more expensive and more complicated than you might expect. For contractors new to commercial masonry, this can be an eye-opening (and sometimes costly) adjustment.

Which Is Best?
There are so many differences between residential and commercial projects that calling them the same industry almost does both a disservice.

Residential work gives you more freedom and flexibility.
Commercial work gives you clear objectives and tight oversight.

Which is better? It depends on you. It depends on what kind of work you find most fulfilling and what kind of clients you like working with.

One thing's for sure: No matter what side you choose, in today's market you're bound to come across a client who wants a Cadillac experience but only wants to pay Volkswagen money. It's part of the territory - and it's often where problems start.

If I could leave you with one piece of advice after decades in this business, it would be this: Focus more on the client than the type of project. You can overcome just about any challenge a project throws at you - residential or commercial - but a client who expects more than the contract allows? That's where you get into real trouble.

Always weigh the risks against the rewards.

Commercial vs. Residential Projects: Which Is Right For You

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