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Guide to Understanding Commercial Real Estate Development Companies
Real Estate Developers, GCs & Builders
Guide to Understanding Commercial Real Estate Development Companies
Commercial Real Estate Developer Guide
How can you find and get in touch with real estate developers to grow your business relationships? This guide addresses the following questions about commercial development companies:
A commercial real estate developer is in charge of the construction of a commercial asset and subsequently leasing or selling it. Upon buying the land, developers work with general contractors, architects, designers and civil engineers to build out the property. Developers may also connect with lawyers who can help navigate the region’s laws and regulations and safeguard against issues that may arise during each stage of development.
What Does A Real Estate Development Company Do In Each Stage Of Construction?
Before Construction
Scope out and purchase land
Acquire a zoning permit
Determine the project’s cost and secure financing
Plan the construction process and project schedule
During Construction
Assemble the construction crew
Coordinate with general contractors to align on project stages
Oversee the process of design and construction
Manage the project schedule
After Construction:
Inspect the building for any construction errors
Oversee the purchase or leasing of the completed building
Facilitate building maintenance needs or hire a property manager
What's the Structure of a Real Estate Development Company?
Leadership structures for real estate development companies can be complicated, with different executives and managers being responsible for individual aspects of the company. The larger the organization, the more people involved in decision making. The smaller an organization, the fewer people involved, but those decision-makers may wear multiple hats!
Your organization may be interested in talking to a specific key decision-maker who decides whether or not your businesses work together. But how do you know who this is? How do you know whom to contact and which department is relevant to your business?
Let’s look at some of the key roles within a real estate development organization and who is responsible for what.
Are Real Estate Developers Also Owners?
Developers are considered owners when they purchase the land on which properties will be developed. When construction is finished, developers can either keep their asset and maintain it or prepare it for leasing or selling.
Not all developers own their real estate. An entity that owns a property may hire a fee-based developer to take charge of building and managing its property. This may be a suitable arrangement for an entity that owns an asset but wants to hire someone with more construction experience to take on the project.
In this arrangement, this developer also has no stake in the building. Instead, the owner will provide a fee that encompasses a percentage of the overall price point of the project.
Executive leadership
Executive leadership in a commercial real estate company includes the “C-suite,” which typically includes the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief operating officer, chief marketing officer and the people who sit at the top of an organizational chart.
Example of titles: CEO, CFO, COO, president, managing partner
What CRE executives do: Simply put, the C-suite and executive management teams are strategic decision makers who sign off on major deals. The CEO oversees the entire company, the CFO manages financials, and the COO oversees overall operations, for example.
When to contact them: You’re pitching high-level partnerships, financing solutions, investment opportunities, or enterprise-wide platforms. Example: proptech systems that impact the entire development process, as well as investor-focused consulting services.
Pro Tip: These key decision-makers may be harder to reach directly, so use Biscred’s CRE prospecting platform to filter by seniority and asset type to get closer through their direct reports or executive assistants.
Project management
Example of titles: Project manager, project coordinator, project administrator, operations manager, program manager, portfolio manager
What they do: Oversee construction, remodel, renovation, and other development projects. Project managers in CRE are often responsible for managing and hiring contractors for projects. Project managers are also usually the negotiators for contracts and will sometimes be responsible for maintaining budgets.
When to contact them: You offer general contracting services relevant to a development project that the project manager is overseeing. Example: You offer roofing installation, landscaping services, or another service specific to their project.
Pro Tip: Project managers can be searched and found through Biscred’s filters, although you may not know which projects they’re actually responsible for. To help align your business with theirs, make sure the asset class their company is relevant to your company.
Construction leadership
Example of titles: Construction manager, construction project manager, construction foreman, construction superintendent
What they do: Construction leadership is similar to project management, the main difference being that construction managers are usually onsite, overseeing projects. They’re also responsible for planning and budgeting construction projects, while directly monitoring the decisions they make.
When to contact them: You’re a contractor, subcontractor, or specialist like an architect/engineer who offers services directly related to their project. Connect with commercial developers, builders and contractors.
Pro Tip: Construction managers and foreman are often busy, so get straight to the point with your outreach. Focus on clarity of purpose — what services you provide that are relevant to them. Use Biscred’s CRE prospecting platform to learn more about the asset classes that their company handles.
Acquisitions
Example of titles: Asset manager, acquisitions manager, investment analyst, portfolio manager, real estate acquisitions analyst
What they do: CRE acquisitions handle vetting potential assets that a firm may be interested in acquiring and managing existing assets. They work alongside other brokers or sellers to acquire properties and analyze the value of an asset.
When to contact them: You’re interested in selling an asset or having the firm invest in an asset that you own. You want to broker a deal between two businesses.
Pro Tip: Real estate acquisitions experts value data-driven decision-making and will want tangible evidence to back up their acquisitions. Come to them with an understanding of their business goals and evidence of profit in an asset you’re handling.
Real estate asset managers
Example of titles: Property asset manager, asset manager, property manager, real estate manager, community manager
What they do: Asset managers are responsible for managing multiple properties as real estate investments on behalf of their clients. Their priority is maximizing the value of real estate as an asset, which includes handling repairs, maintenance, and, in some cases, being involved with developing properties. Real estate asset managers also handle the cash flow of a property, such as ensuring they’re making enough rental income to cover the aforementioned property upkeep costs.
When to contact them: You may contact an asset manager for a few different reasons. If you’re a property owner, you may want to have them manage your property. If you’re a contractor, you may be able to provide maintenance or repair services to their assets.
Pro Tip: Save time on your search by checking which asset classes an asset manager handles with Biscred’s search filters.
IT/Proptech
Example of titles: Backend developer, account manager, sales representative, field technician, program manager, IT manager or even the CTO (chief technology officer)
What they do: Proptech, or property tech, includes new technology that improves the processes of the real estate industry. Property management technology, real estate marketing platforms, and investment tracking software are all examples of proptech. Someone in the real estate proptech is responsible for creating and/or using these technologies.
When to contact them: Broadly speaking, real estate proptech is looking for new techniques, software, or APIs to improve their businesses’ efficiency. If your business offers software related to real estate and are looking for new clients, you may want to reach out to one of the above titles.
Pro Tip: Proptech encompasses a broad set of potential job roles, so narrow your search to assets, geographic areas, and other criteria relevant to your business.
Sustainability/ESG/Innovation
Example of titles: Sustainability coordinator, real estate development associate, manager of development, energy management associate
What they do: Real estate sustainability and innovation employees are responsible for implementing sustainable policies in real estate organizations. This could include driving initiatives to be more energy efficient or aiding in developing/constructing properties committed to having less of an environmental impact.
When to contact them: Does your business offer sustainability solutions like solar panels, efficient HVAC systems, or energy-efficient lighting? Sustainability coordinators may be your gateway to a new client if your services are relevant to their interests.
Pro Tip: Emphasize the environmental impact of your services or products as you reach out to someone committed to sustainability. Remember that energy managers (and other similar employees) are probably already experienced in project management and are also balancing the budget of the development project. You can use Biscred’s search terms to look for innovative or green real estate developers.
How Biscred Helps You Connect With Top CRE Developer Companies
Who’s included in Biscred’s construction industry datasets?
In addition to developers, general contractors and builders that specialize in one or more types of CRE (office buildings, industrial buildings, retail, multi-use, etc.), our dataset delivers results for businesses that are looking to connect with:
Commercial real estate developers and development firms
Commercial builders, commercial building companies
Commercial building contractors
Commercial remodeling contractors
Commercial renovation contractors
Ground-up construction
New commercial building construction companies and subcontractors
185,912 companies
More than 1.1 million people
CRE Developer
Real estate developers are responsible for the business and financial aspects of construction and development projects. Biscred defines CRE developers as a business or individual who is responsible for overall planning and execution of a construction project. They acquire land, obtain permits and inspections, secure financing, set budgets, hire contractors, and oversee the entire construction process. Developers also handle marketing and selling the project.
Our database includes 19,356 companies that do commercial real estate development, and 356,383 professionals who work in CRE development.
Where can you find CRE developers?
Midwest (12 states): 3,335 companies and 88,975 people
Northeast (12 states): 5,162 companies and 118,427 people
Southeast (12 states): 5,181 companies and 130,795 people
Southwest (4 states): 2,849 companies and 105,961 people
West (11 states): 4,496 companies and 132,789 people
CRE developers’ asset experience
Biscred’s datasets classify companies and their staffs into 24 asset categories, which we call “Asset Experience.” Here is a snapshot of three asset classes for CRE developers:
Multifamily: 11,729 companies and 222,527 people that do development
Office: 8,694 companies and 148,641 people that do office building development
Mixed-use: 6,898 companies and 148,148 people in mixed-use development
CRE General Contractor
General contractors are responsible for the construction and management of a building project. Biscred’s definition of general contractor is a person or company that is responsible for the construction of a building or structure. A developer hires the general contractor to manage the entire construction process. GCs plan and oversee the work of subcontractors and make sure projects are finished on time, within budget and within quality standards.
Biscred’s database gives you contact information for 29,773 companies and 309,360 professionals that identify as CRE general contractors.
Where can you find CRE GCs?
Midwest (12 states): 5,511 companies and 87,971 people
Northeast (12 states): 6,679 companies and 86,194 people
Southeast (12 states): 8,870 companies and 130,654 people
Southwest (4 states): 4,092 companies and 94,517 people
West (11 states): 7,355 companies and 114,021 people
CRE GCs’ asset experience
Here is a snapshot of three asset classes for CRE general contractors:
Education: 9,451 companies and 191,686 people that handle general contracting for school and education buildings
Entertainment facilities: 7,181 companies and 162,676 people that handle general contracting for entertainment facilities
Healthcare: 10,578 companies and 199,900 people that offer general contracting services for healthcare real estate
CRE Construction Companies
General contractors hire construction companies to do the work (some companies offer both general contracting and construction). As subcontractors, the construction company is usually responsible for specific parts of a construction project. Construction company subcontractors include roofers, electricians, plumbers, HVAC companies, concrete workers, framers, and even demolition companies.
Biscred’s database gives you contact information for 112,358 construction companies in commercial real estate building, and 503,524 professionals who work in CRE construction.
Where can you find CRE construction companies?
Midwest (12 states): 24,976 companies and 140,838 people
Northeast (12 states): 28,369 companies and 123,543 people
Southeast (12 states): 30,337 companies and 186,045 people
Southwest (4 states): 14,818 companies and 122,593 people
West (11 states): 21,684 companies and 133,078 people
CRE construction companies’ asset experience
Here is a snapshot of three asset classes for CRE builders/construction companies:
Hospitality: 27,101 companies and 217,530 people who do construction for hotels and hospitality real estate
Industrial: 37,344 companies and 279,269 people who do construction on industrial facilities
Retail: 30,569 companies and 200,561 people who do construction on retail structures
What Are the Top Real Estate Development Firms?
There are thousands of firms in the United States that develop nonresidential land and build properties. They range in size from small local firms to large multinational corporations. These are some of the biggest development companies in the Biscred database, based on number of properties:
American Tower: Boston, Mass., 226,000 properties
Capital Telecom: Morristown, N.J., 23,000 properties
John M. Corcoran and Company: Braintree Mass., 16,000 properties
Realty Income: San Diego, Calif., 15,450 properties and 226 contacts
Universe Holdings Development Company: Los Angeles, Calif., 7,000 properties
Adar South: Fort Lauderdale, Fla., 6,805 properties
Accor: Carrollton, Tex., 5,700 properties
Contour Companies: Bloomfield Hills, Mich., 5,000 properties
Arc Design Resources: Loves Park, Ill., 4,250 properties
Vision Communities: Columbus, Ohio, 4,000 properties
And this list is a sampling of the top companies based on number of contacts in the Biscred database:
Greystar Worldwide: Charleston, S.C., 12,454 contacts
AECOM Capital: Dallas, Texas, 11,707 contacts
Caesars Entertainment: Las Vegas, N.V., 5,371 contacts
BNSF Railway: Fort Wroth, Texas, 4,351 contacts
D.R. Horton: Arlington, Texas, 3,852 contacts
Lennar: Miami, Fla., 3,291 contacts
Siemens: Munich, Bavaria, 2,897 contacts
Toll Brothers: Fort Washington, Penn., 2,605 contacts
Gilbane: Providence, R.I., 2,605 contacts
Skanska USA: New York, N.Y., 2,383 contacts
Biscred's sales prospecting platform puts you in touch with the top real estate developers in the U.S. We have over 10,000 companies and nearly 80,000 people who work with or for real estate developers in the U.S.
Common Questions about CRE Developers
Are real estate developers also owners?
Developers are considered owners when they purchase the land on which properties will be developed. When construction is finished, developers can either keep their asset and maintain it or prepare it for leasing or selling.
Not all developers own their real estate. An entity that owns a property may hire a fee-based developer to take charge of building and managing its property. This may be a suitable arrangement for an entity that owns an asset but wants to hire someone with more construction experience to take on the project.
In this arrangement, this developer also has no stake in the building. Instead, the owner will provide a fee that encompasses a percentage of the overall price point of the project.
Find out who owns a commercial property.
What is the difference between a builder and a developer?
Some professionals use the terms synonymously and don't distinguish between builder versus developer. Technically, a property developer can also be a builder, but not all builders are developers. The developer manages the entire project, including land acquisition, obtaining permits, adding infrastructure and contracting with builders.
Find out how to connect with CRE builders, developers and contractors.
What is the difference between a real estate developer and a general contractor?
While the developer oversees each stage of the building process, a general contractor is on-site facilitating and participating in aspects related to construction. This includes ensuring that project tasks are completed, managing subcontractors and handling the logistics around getting the materials to the job site.
Typically, the developer is in close communication with the general contractor to touch base on the status of the project. However, if a development company is taking a hands-on role with developing and building the property, then it can serve as both the developer and the general contractor.
Learn more about the CRE development process.
How do property developers finance their projects?
Developers can secure funding for their projects by borrowing money from third parties, such as banks, by selling shares of their LLCs to investors, through crowdfunding and/or contributing their own funds. The funding can be allocated toward purchasing the land as well as the labor and supplies needed during the building process.
What are some considerations for investing in CRE properties as a developer?
While there is potential for high returns, if the developer doesn't take into account how inflation can affect the supply chain, the developer could end up taking a financial hit.
Due to supply chain issues, the cost of materials can be higher than what was initially planned for, especially if the developer estimated pricing years back in a more stable economy. This can affect how developers factor the total cost of materials into the budget. Additionally, supply chain issues can impact lead times for getting materials to the site, which has the potential to throw off the project schedule.
Developers should also be accounting for worker injuries, poor weather, miscommunication between trades and issues found after the project is completed — all of which have the potential to impact a project deadline.
More CRE Development Resources
Get the Latest CRE News: BisnowConstruction & Development for commercial real estate news and events
Post or Find Jobs in Commercial Real Estate: Select Leaders, a career site for CRE professionals and employers