CIG Consulting

Industry Insights

Expert perspectives on commercial real estate, construction management, and the evolving workplace.

The Subs That Were Open in March Are Booked for the Fourth Quarter
Market Trends
August 25, 2026
CIG Consulting

The Subs That Were Open in March Are Booked for the Fourth Quarter

Subcontractor availability tightened through 2026, and it is not because there is more work. Backlogs are healthy. The crews inside them are not. What that means for an October start in Atlanta.

Construction Material Costs Continue to Rise in 2026
Market Trends
August 19, 2026
CIG Consulting

Construction Material Costs Continue to Rise in 2026

Construction material costs rose 7.1 percent year over year through June 2026, with metals up far more. Lead times split in two directions. What to check before you lock your budget.

The Atlanta Buildout Read: Labor, First Half of 2026
Market Trends
August 11, 2026
CIG Consulting

The Atlanta Buildout Read: Labor, First Half of 2026

Labor costs continued to rise in the first half of 2026, and Atlanta felt it more than most markets. What the data shows, what we see on active projects, and what to check before you sign.

Nashville's Newest Office Buildings: A Tenant Improvement Guide
Regional Markets
February 18, 2026
Adam Powell

Nashville's Newest Office Buildings: A Tenant Improvement Guide

Nashville's office market is delivering a new generation of Class A buildings. Here is what tenants planning a TI in 2026 should know about the city's newest assets.

Commercial Interior Project Red Flags: When to Fire Your Contractor
Project Management
January 22, 2026
Matt Nama

Commercial Interior Project Red Flags: When to Fire Your Contractor

Most project troubles signal themselves early. Six warning signs that your commercial contractor is putting your project at risk — and what to do about each.

From Open Office to Hybrid: Workplace Transitions That Actually Work
Market Trends
December 11, 2025
Alyssa Bettinger

From Open Office to Hybrid: Workplace Transitions That Actually Work

The all-open office is over. The all-cubicle office isn't coming back. The successful hybrid workplace requires more than a remote work policy — it requires intentional design.

Why Charlotte Companies Are Choosing Project Management Over Design-Build
Regional Markets
October 16, 2025
Chuck Richardson

Why Charlotte Companies Are Choosing Project Management Over Design-Build

Charlotte's commercial real estate market is shifting. More mid-market companies are moving away from design-build toward independent project management. Here is why.

The Hidden Costs of Office Renovation (And How to Avoid Them)
Cost & Budgeting
September 10, 2025
Adam Powell

The Hidden Costs of Office Renovation (And How to Avoid Them)

The sticker price is rarely the final price. Seven hidden costs that quietly inflate office renovation budgets — and how to surface them before they hit.

3 Atlanta Office Transformations That Doubled Employee Productivity
Case Studies
July 22, 2025
Matt Nama

3 Atlanta Office Transformations That Doubled Employee Productivity

Three CIG-managed Atlanta projects where smart workplace design produced measurable, repeatable productivity gains — with the numbers to prove it.

Sustainable Office Design in the Southeast: LEED, WELL, and Your Bottom Line
Sustainability
May 6, 2025
Alyssa Bettinger

Sustainable Office Design in the Southeast: LEED, WELL, and Your Bottom Line

Sustainable design has moved from optional to operational. Here is how Southeast companies are translating LEED and WELL certifications into measurable ROI — not just compliance plaques.

5 Workplace Strategy Trends Reshaping Southern Offices in 2026
Market Trends
March 18, 2025
Chuck Richardson

5 Workplace Strategy Trends Reshaping Southern Offices in 2026

The modern office is no longer a cost center — it's a strategic asset. Five trends defining how Southern companies are designing for 2026 and beyond.

How to Find the Right Office Build-Out Contractor in Atlanta
Vendor Selection
February 27, 2025
Matt Nama

How to Find the Right Office Build-Out Contractor in Atlanta

Atlanta has hundreds of commercial contractors. Most are competent. A few are exceptional. Here is how to tell them apart before you sign anything.

Your 16-Week Tenant Improvement Timeline: From Lease to Move-In
Project Management
January 22, 2025
Adam Powell

Your 16-Week Tenant Improvement Timeline: From Lease to Move-In

Most tenant improvement projects fail on schedule, not budget. This realistic 16-week timeline shows what should happen and when — with the buffer real projects require.

The Ultimate Corporate Relocation Checklist for 2026
Move Management
December 18, 2024
Alyssa Bettinger

The Ultimate Corporate Relocation Checklist for 2026

A move is only as smooth as the planning behind it. This 2026 corporate relocation checklist gives facilities managers a complete framework for a zero-surprise transition.

Design-Build vs Project Management: Which Delivery Method Saves More Money?
Project Management
November 7, 2024
Chuck Richardson

Design-Build vs Project Management: Which Delivery Method Saves More Money?

Design-build promises a single source of accountability. Independent project management promises a single source of advocacy. The cost difference between the two can be 15% or more.

Commercial Project Manager vs General Contractor: Who Do You Really Need?
Project Management
September 12, 2024
Matt Nama

Commercial Project Manager vs General Contractor: Who Do You Really Need?

PM and GC are often confused — but they play fundamentally different roles. Understanding the difference can save you 10-20% on your next office project.

2026 Office Renovation Costs: A Square Footage Calculator for Southeast Businesses
Cost & Budgeting
July 18, 2024
Adam Powell

2026 Office Renovation Costs: A Square Footage Calculator for Southeast Businesses

Budgeting an office renovation in 2026? Use these real Southeast cost-per-square-foot benchmarks to set credible expectations before the first contractor walks through the door.

Top 5 Commercial Interior Design Firms in Atlanta (And How to Choose the Right Partner)
Vendor Selection
April 4, 2024
Chuck Richardson

Top 5 Commercial Interior Design Firms in Atlanta (And How to Choose the Right Partner)

Choosing the right commercial interior design partner in Atlanta separates projects that deliver from ones that drag. Here is how to evaluate the leading firms and the questions every decision-maker should ask.

Efficient Office Relocation Planning: Mastering the Move with Confidence
Move Management
February 16, 2024
CIG Consulting

Efficient Office Relocation Planning: Mastering the Move with Confidence

Moving an office is a big deal — it can disrupt work, stress teams, and cost more than expected. With efficient planning, we can turn the challenge into a smooth, successful project.

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