Valvoline Forest City

• Building Size: 3,565 SF

• Location: Forest City, NC

• Key Features: CIP Basement, Structural Steel Framing, Architectural Shingled Roof, Fiber Cement Siding, Stone Veneer Skirt

This ground-up retail construction project in Forest City, NC consisted of a 3,565 SF facility, which included reconstructing the entire basement.

The Challenge:

Liles Construction was contracted to deliver a new Valvoline facility featuring a cast-in-place (CIP) basement with structural steel framing, an architectural shingled roof, fiber cement siding, and a stone veneer skirt. The owner's priority was clear from the outset: the project needed to be completed by the end of the year.

Mid-construction, an extraordinary weather event changed the trajectory of the project. A massive rain event dropped more than 12 inches of precipitation in the span of a single week. The resulting hydrostatic water pressure compromised the newly constructed basement, requiring the Liles team to make a difficult but necessary decision: demolish and fully reconstruct the entire basement structure. This was not a minor remediation—it was a complete rebuild of one of the most critical structural components of the building.

The setback put enormous pressure on the project timeline. With the basement needing to be built twice, the schedule gap threatened to push the completion date. For many contractors, this kind of unforeseen event would justify a significant schedule extension. For Liles Construction, it became a defining moment that showcased the team's commitment to delivering on promises, no matter the obstacle.

The Solution

Rather than halt work and wait for resolution on responsibility for the cost damages, the Liles team chose to prioritize the owner's goals and keep the project moving. This decision reflected a core principle that has guided Liles Construction for more than 40 years: our long-term partnerships take precedence.

Accelerated Recovery Plan

The team immediately mobilized an accelerated recovery strategy. Liles leveraged its deep trade partner relationships to secure buy-in for expedited rework on the basement reconstruction, which was a testament to the trust and collaboration the company has built across its network of subcontractors and suppliers throughout the Carolinas. These trade partners understood the urgency and committed additional resources without hesitation.

Increased Manpower Across All Remaining Trades

Beyond the basement, every subsequent trade scope required acceleration to recover lost time. Liles coordinated increased manpower across the remaining phases of construction, carefully sequencing trades to maximize efficiency without compromising quality. The project team managed overlapping scopes, compressed lead times, and tightened inspections to ensure that the accelerated pace did not introduce new issues.

The Result

Despite having to construct the basement twice, the Valvoline Forest City project was completed with a total schedule impact of only two months beyond the typical build time for comparable Valvoline facilities, a remarkable achievement given the scope of the setback! This project is a clear demonstration of two qualities that set Liles Construction apart in commercial construction across North Carolina and the Southeast: adaptability and partnership.

This project reflects the same approach Liles brings to every engagement across its retail construction portfolio, from multi-tenant developments to single-tenant ground-up builds. Whether the scope involves adaptive reuse, food and beverage, or light industrial construction, the commitment remains the same: commercial construction done right the first time, even when unexpected challenges demand a second effort.

Highlighted Services

• Construction Management Services