Commercial construction FAQ

Plaza City is based in Magnolia and builds across Montgomery County and North Houston — including The Woodlands, Conroe, Magnolia, Spring, Tomball, Montgomery and Pinehurst, along the FM 1488 and I-45 North corridor.

Since 2013. Our portfolio of office and flex parks, warehouses and shopping centers is concentrated in Montgomery County — you can see a sample on our project gallery.

Texas does not issue a state license for general contractors — only specialty trades such as electrical, plumbing and HVAC are state-licensed. What matters most is that your builder is properly insured and bonded and uses licensed trades. Plaza City carries general liability coverage and the bonding and financing ability to back its projects.

Commercial only — office and flex buildings, warehouses, distribution and industrial space, retail and shopping centers, and office-warehouse flex parks. We handle ground-up construction as well as tenant build-outs and interior improvements.

Both. Pre-engineered metal buildings (PEMB) are typically faster and lower cost for warehouses and flex space, while tilt-wall and masonry suit retail, office and higher-finish projects. During design-build we recommend the system that best fits your use, budget and timeline.

With design-build, one team handles design, engineering and construction under a single contract — which reduces risk, speeds delivery and gives you one point of accountability. In the traditional design-bid-build path you hire an architect first and then bid the drawings to separate contractors, which usually takes longer. Plaza City also works as a general contractor on projects that already have completed drawings.

In a build-to-suit, Plaza City designs and constructs a building tailored to your business and can carry the development — and often the financing — so you can focus your capital on operations. If you own the land we build on it; if not, we can help find and acquire a suitable site, typically under a long-term lease.

It depends on the jurisdiction. Inside city limits — Conroe, Magnolia, Montgomery, Oak Ridge North and others — you permit through the city. In unincorporated Montgomery County there is no zoning, but commercial structures still require county development permits, and any work in or near the 100-year floodplain requires a floodplain development permit. Plaza City manages the permitting process for you.

Montgomery County requires structures in or within 100 feet of a special flood hazard area to be elevated above the base flood elevation, verified with an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor, and updated floodplain regulations took effect in late 2025. Many sites also need detention and drainage designed to county or MUD standards. We coordinate the civil engineering and site work so your project meets local requirements.

Plaza City handles permitting and inspections as part of the project, coordinating the architectural, engineering and civil documents each jurisdiction requires so you don't have to navigate it alone.

It varies widely by building type and finish. As a general guide for the Houston and Montgomery County market, warehouse and flex space typically runs lower — roughly $80–$200/sf — while office and retail run higher, around $150–$400+/sf. Houston's windstorm and structural codes can add to costs versus other Texas metros. The only accurate number is a real estimate — tell us your project and we'll price it.

Building type and structural system (PEMB vs. tilt-wall), size and finish level, site conditions (soils, clearing, detention, floodplain), the foundation, MEP systems, current material and labor pricing, and how fast you need it. Design-build lets us value-engineer these trade-offs early to hit a target budget.

Timelines depend on size, permitting and site work, but design-build shortens the schedule by overlapping design and construction. After an initial conversation we give you a realistic timeline for your specific project and keep you updated 24/7 through completion.

Call +1 936-524-3996, email info@plazacity.net, or send your details through our contact form. If you already have architectural and engineering plans, send them and our estimators can begin pricing right away.

Yes. Through our build-to-suit and commercial real estate services we help evaluate and acquire sites, then design and build to fit — useful if you're expanding into Montgomery County or North Houston and don't yet have a location.