Introduction
Mike Moore, owner of M C Moore Construction, sits down with Jack Ossa on The Power of Design Podcast. The two have worked together on several projects, and their conversation reads like a guide to how an architect and a general contractor can make a small commercial project go smoothly.
Mike explains how his years at a large national contractor shaped his planning habits, why he prefers detailed budgets and honest communication, and how he thinks about the relationship between the design team, the owner and the builder.
About the Episode
Mike grew up near Pittsburgh and was fascinated by construction from childhood. He studied construction management at UNC Charlotte, graduated in 2010 in a weak economy and spent seven years with a large national contractor building projects in the Carolinas and across the country, including work in data centers where downtime is costly. He then started his own company, focusing on commercial clients such as restaurants and small office upfits that did not have the budget for a big general contractor's overhead but benefited from the same planning discipline.
He and Jack compare residential and commercial work. They agree that complete drawings, early selections and permits that match the schedule prevent delays. Mike describes how his team walks every project before bidding, includes unknowns to reduce change orders, and writes detailed clarifications so owners can level bids. He explains how work reaches him mostly through architects, developers and brokers, and how a typical project moves from letters of intent and long-lead submittals to weekly reports and coordination meetings.
They also discuss Procore and Revit as industry-standard tools, the last-weeks rush before occupancy, the balance between work and family, and Jack's view that design-build collaboration should start earlier in the United States. Mike's ten-year hope is to step out of the day-to-day and mentor a new generation.
Key Takeaways
- Plan before you build: extra time on coordination and design up front lets construction run faster and with fewer surprises.
- Finish the selections early: a schedule is already late when finishes or materials are still marked TBD on site.
- Compare scopes, not only numbers: bid leveling shows what each contractor includes, such as permits, so a low number does not hide gaps.
- Budget for contingency: planning 5 to 15 percent for unknowns protects the owner, especially in existing buildings and when a lender is involved.
- Overcommunicate the bad news: problems can be planned around if the team knows early, because delays cost more when they are hidden.
- Use the right tools: shared software and daily photos let owners and architects catch problems remotely and early.
- Design the team too: the project architect, superintendent and project engineer define how a project goes more than company names do.
Highlights from the Conversation
I try to overcommunicate. I think communication is key with any team.
Mike Moore
The good is great, but I can plan for the bad if I know about it.
Mike Moore
Designing the team I feel like is almost just as important as designing the building.
Mike Moore
Topics Discussed
- Moving from a large national contractor to a small commercial firm
- Residential versus commercial construction
- Complete drawings, selections and permits
- Detailed bids, clarifications and bid leveling
- Contingency in project budgets
- Procore, photos and weekly reports
- Finishing a project on schedule
- Work, family and training the next generation
Why This Conversation Matters
For owners planning a restaurant, office or other commercial space, this episode explains what protects a budget and a schedule: complete information, honest numbers and a team that communicates. Our interior architecture process aims for the same clarity from the first drawing, as in Bentley's Restaurant and Architech Sports. A design team that works closely with the builder from early on also helps projects like these reach the finish line without surprises.
About the Guest
Mike Moore is the founder and owner of M C Moore Construction, a commercial general contractor that works within about an hour and a half of Charlotte. He grew up near Pittsburgh, earned a construction management degree at UNC Charlotte in 2010, and spent seven years at a large national contractor before starting his own company.
Connect with Mike Moore on LinkedIn | Visit M C Moore Construction
