6 Renovation Tips For A Commercial Building

There are many benefits to renovating your commercial property, aside from making the entire structure function more efficiently, which can result in substantial energy cost savings. Remodeling commercial interiors and exteriors will add beauty along with contemporary features that can make for a more pleasant customer and employee experience.

Also, consider the substantial increase in property value, the improved safety of the building, and the chance to rebrand your business with an updated and modern look. The following renovation tips help commercial property owners be more proactive with renovations that can minimize future commercial building problems that can be more costly down the road.

1. Assess Needs and Set Goals

First, consider what you want to improve with your commercial property renovation. Typically, a commercial renovation project should seek to improve multiple elements. This could include new interior finishes and flooring, exterior beautification with a new facade, signage and landscaping. You should also consider safety improvements like stronger doors and windows and improved security systems.

The best way to decide on renovation scope is to take a close look at all repairs and improvements the property requires, along with how you would like your customers to experience the space when they visit. Don't choose sleek, modern finishes with lots of glass, metals, and hard surfaces if you want to make your customers feel more at home, cozy, and comfortable.

2. Budget Wisely

One of the best renovation tips for commercial properties is constructing a budget that leaves room for unforeseen circumstances. This process can be made easier when you partner with a trusted commercial property renovation service provider with years of experience in taking the helm as a general contractor.

Working with a GC, you can cover all phases of the construction budget, including improved aesthetics, upgraded safety features, re-working the flow and square footage of different spaces, and adding as many energy-efficient features as possible. Consider any budgeted sustainability and energy-efficient infrastructure as a return on your investment over the years to come.

3. Hire Skilled Professionals

Now, it's time to choose how you want to go about your construction renovation. You can either have one company do the design and another handle the construction, or you can opt for a design-build approach where one company takes care of everything from designing to hiring subcontractors for different project phases

Consider one company that acts as Construction Manager at Risk or CMAR. This process will place the responsibility of the entire renovation project under one professional service provider, from project planning and pre-construction all the way through to final construction and systems commissioning. Your construction manager will act on your behalf, hiring skilled tradespeople and general laborers to get the job done on time and within budget.

4. Minimize Disruption

When you partner with the right commercial construction service provider, they will aim to minimize any disruptions to your business or your tenants. The key is timing, along with phased construction activities. Many projects may be performed after business hours or on weekends.

A renovation schedule can be used to alert any tenants to possible downtime or closed-off building sections so they can also plan accordingly. Communication between the project stakeholders, tenants, and the construction PM can minimize disruptions and misunderstandings using emails, posted signage, and in-person meetings.

5. Ensure Safety and Compliance

Often, with multiple subcontractors providing renovations, safety and compliance can be a secondary thought, with the aim of completing their portion of the project as the primary goal of independent contractors. A project manager in charge of the entire renovation project knows that safety and compliance issues will fall on their company's reputation, meaning a GC will prioritize safety and compliance to protect their own business.

6. Quality Control

It is incumbent upon any reputable construction firm to provide the level of quality materials and labor as paid for by stakeholders. This includes hiring the right workers with appropriate skills for your type of commercial structure. Another quality control consideration is preventing scope creep.

Field changes by the GC or scope changes by stakeholders must be kept in check in order to stay within budget. Quality standards should not be compromised, but a GC that keeps close tabs on material substitutions or rework due to unforeseen field circumstances is a good sign that you are working with an expert in commercial construction who considers your costs through each project phase.

Buildout Pros is hyper-focused on providing all levels of construction and facility services for commercial tenant improvement projects, including occupied remodels and renovations. Experience how our design team can bring your vision to life with little to no disruption to operations.

We specialize in proactive renovations, a smart approach to maintaining commercial structures. This means improving your commercial real estate before you've spent thousands of dollars on costly repairs and damaged reputation. Once you partner with Buildout Pros, we are your contractor for life and are ready to provide the service you need to add capacity, change layouts, improve curb appeal and remodel interiors.

For expert guidance from start to finish on your next commercial renovation project, connect with Buildout Pros today!