As digital transformation reshapes how financial institutions interact with their customers, the role of the physical branch is evolving. Today, branches serve as transaction points and vital touchpoints for customer engagement, brand reinforcement, and personalized service delivery. To stay ahead of the changing landscape, community banks and credit unions must optimize their physical spaces to offer an enhanced customer experience and improved operational efficiency, both of which can be achieved through effective design and brand implementation.

Solidus’s proprietary Design+Build+Brand™ process provides comprehensive services tailored specifically for financial institutions. With over 750 projects under our belts and 30 years in the industry, we function as your ideal partner for branch renovations, structural additions, and new ground-up builds. Equipped with deep pools of knowledge and data, we can take the guesswork out of even the most complex construction project and reduce the constraints of a tight budget. It starts with a thorough assessment of the client’s current circumstances and a solid understanding of their future needs and objectives. Our findings, coupled with a massive internal database, enable us to develop accurate and realistic budgets and timelines.

Comprehensive Services & Solutions:

From architectural design, including structural and civil engineering services, to construction, brand implementation, and furniture, Solidus can speak to the risks, expenses, and time constraints associated with all these disciplines.

Our integrated approach ensures that your project is executed seamlessly, on time, and within budget. Here’s how we can assist you:

1. Project Budget Development

Our team of experts works closely with architects, engineers, material vendors, and trade contractors to develop detailed budgets for projects of any scope. With a current and comprehensive library of data at our fingertips, we can leverage critical facts and figures that can be difficult to find and almost impossible to attain without proper direction or familiarity. While it may take private parties weeks or even months to gather information from individual entities, our team can have all the answers you need in a matter of days and sometimes hours, ensuring that your project can move forward swiftly and efficiently.

2. Renovations and Additions

Whether you need to update an existing branch or expand your facilities, our design-build approach ensures that your renovation project is completed efficiently, with minimal disruption to your ongoing operations. We focus on creating functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces that enhance customer experience and align with your brand identity.

3. Ground-Up New Builds

Starting from scratch? Our team excels in ground-up construction projects, providing a comprehensive suite of services that take your project from concept to completion. We handle everything from site selection and initial design to construction and final handover, ensuring that your new branch meets all regulatory requirements and has been built to the highest quality standards.

The Advantages of Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) with Solidus: A New Era of Construction Efficiency

Solidus champions the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) model, a collaborative approach designed to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and foster innovation in construction projects. Unlike traditional methods, where relationships between owners, designers, and contractors can be fractured and adversarial, IPD brings all parties together in alignment. This approach ensures that everyone shares the risks and rewards, promoting transparency, cooperation, and a unified goal of project success.

Critical Benefits of IPD with Solidus

1. Transparency: IPD significantly increases transparency throughout the construction process. Early stakeholder discussions clarify objectives and ensure that information is shared openly. By maintaining an open dialog, we can address potential issues collaboratively and prevent them from escalating into more significant problems later.
2. Enhanced Communication: Traditional delivery methods often restrict communication, leading to misunderstandings and delays. With IPD, Solidus ensures that the owner, architect, and contractors can communicate directly, fostering a better understanding of project goals and reducing the likelihood of misinterpretations.
3. Lower Project Costs: By involving all key stakeholders early in the project, IPD helps to identify and resolve potential problems during the planning stages, reducing the need for costly changes. Sharing risks and rewards incentivizes all parties to complete the project on time and within budget, ultimately lowering project costs.
4. Improved Constructability: By including subcontractors and trade contractors in the early stages of a project, we can verify the design’s feasibility. Their practical insights ensure the proposed designs are realistic and achievable, reducing the likelihood of issues during construction and minimizing the need for redesign.
5. Innovation and Efficiency: The collaborative nature of IPD encourages innovation, as team members bring diverse perspectives and expertise. By leveraging our combined strengths, we develop more effective and efficient ways to complete our projects.
6. Seamless Hand-Off: With IPD, trade contractors who may also be responsible for servicing and maintaining the building are involved from the start. This continuity ensures that the project is built with long-term maintenance in mind, leading to a smoother hand-off and easier ongoing management.
7. Greater Accountability: A single multiparty agreement binds all stakeholders to the same goals and standards, promoting accountability. This unified approach ensures everyone works towards the same objectives, reducing conflicts and fostering a harmonious working environment.
8. Precision Estimates: IPD allows for more accurate project estimates, as each department contributes its expertise from the outset. This approach reduces guesswork and ensures budget estimates align with actual costs, providing financial predictability.
9. Cost-Efficiency: By reducing errors, omissions, and disputes, IPD accelerates the construction process and reduces unnecessary costs. The emphasis on efficiency and collaboration ensures the optimal use of resources, benefiting the overall project budget.

How IPD Works at Solidus

The IPD process at Solidus involves several key steps:

Team Assembly

• Define Goals and Structure: Set Objectives: Outline the project’s objectives and desired results.
• Identify Roles: Define the necessary roles and responsibilities for the project.
• Recruit Team Members: Select in-house or contracted members with the experience and ability to work collaboratively.
• Include Additional Stakeholders: Involve other relevant parties such as insurers, utilities, and local officials.

Define Goals and Structure

• Set Objectives: Outline the project’s objectives and desired results.
• Choose Organizational Structure: Be flexible and shape the structure to suit the project’s needs.
• Create Multiparty Agreements: Develop a contract that covers all parties and details responsibilities and roles.

Collaborative Execution

• Early Involvement: Engage all stakeholders to ensure comprehensive planning and problem-solving.
• Open Communication: Maintain open lines of communication to ensure alignment and address issues promptly.
• Shared Risk and Reward: Ensure all parties share the risks and rewards, incentivizing them to work towards common goals.

Why Choose Solidus for IPD?

Under our supervision, your project benefits from early collaboration, precise planning, innovative problem-solving, and the expertise of a team committed to transparency, efficiency, and exceptional outcomes. In addition to design and construction expertise, we also provide critical consultative services that include staffing and space studies that help our clients save time and money. With Solidus, you gain a trusted partner who understands the unique challenges of an industry driven by rapid technological advancements, evolving consumer expectations, and increased competition.

Expertise and Experience You Can Trust

With decades of experience and over 750 completed projects for financial institutions, Solidus stands out for its proven track record. Here are some key reasons why banks and credit unions choose Solidus:

• Integrated Project Delivery (IPD): Our IPD approach fosters collaboration among all stakeholders, ensuring comprehensive planning and problem-solving.
• Advanced Communication Tools: We leverage state-of-the-art technology to facilitate real-time updates, transparent information sharing, and efficient decision-making processes.
• Customer-Centric Design: Our innovative design solutions incorporate the latest banking concepts and technologies, ensuring your branches are future-proofed and adaptable to changing customer needs.
• Risk Management and Cost Control: Solidus is committed to minimizing risk and controlling costs throughout the project lifecycle. Our rigorous planning and strategic development processes identify potential risks early and implement measures to mitigate them.

A Partner Committed to Your Success

At Solidus, we view ourselves as more than just a contractor; we are a partner dedicated to your long-term success. Our team works closely with you to understand your goals and deliver solutions that meet and exceed your expectations.

Get Started with Solidus

If you are a bank or credit union looking to develop project budgets for renovations, additions, or new builds, Solidus is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can assist you in achieving your project goals.