Renovating a building requires extensive planning. Before you embark on a commercial renovation, first you need to determine the reasons behind starting this project. There’s more to renovation than simply improving the look of a property. Since renovation is costly, particularly for commercial properties, it’s important to have a goal beyond improving the aesthetics of the property. The space needs to be functional and convenient for everyone who works in or accesses the building. Safety is a top factor when renovating a commercial building, so your renovations should be carried out in a safe and responsible manner. Planning a commercial building renovation? Here are some expert tips to help you complete your project successfully.
Establish a Budget
Having a budget is key. Once you decide to renovate your commercial property, seek the advice of a commercial builder who you can discuss your plans with to get an idea of what can be achieved with your budget. Distinguish your must-haves from your nice-to-haves. That way, your contractor will know what your priorities are and focus on those. Then, if there is room left in the budget, your contractor can include some of the items that are lower in priority.
Establishing a budget early on reveals what is possible for your renovation project and gives you a realistic idea of what you can and cannot accomplish. Many companies find themselves overspending on their commercial or office renovation due to poor planning and budgeting.
Consider Eco-friendly Products
In recent years, it has become exceedingly important to make more eco-friendly choices in construction to take better care of our natural environment and the communities where materials are sourced.
As a result, there are more efforts to produce materials sustainably and streamline the production of eco-friendly materials in an effort to reduce waste and recycle more. This push has allowed companies to achieve their building goals while keeping the negative impact on our natural world at a minimum. Whenever possible, consider eco-friendly materials and products.
Create a Schedule
As mentioned earlier, there are many different pieces of the puzzle when it comes to a commercial renovation. A successful renovation means bringing all these pieces together. This requires scheduling things well. Before you begin your reno project, map out a schedule with your contractor.
Having a clear idea on your timeline will allow the process to go smoothly and result in fewer delays. Know what the expectations are and leave a little wiggle room for each phase in case you run into unexpected issues. With most reno projects, there are some unexpected issues that arise so give yourself a few days to buffer these surprises.
Work as a Team
Being able to successfully complete a renovation project requires teamwork. Having a strong team gives you a huge advantage in managing the various aspects of the project. Make sure everyone on the team has a clear understanding of what their responsibilities are and keep the lines of communication open.
This will ensure that everyone is on board and up to date as the project goes underway. With a reliable team, the work will be completed more efficiently and you have a better chance of staying on budget and on schedule.
Hire the Right Contractors
It’s critical that you hire a competent and qualified team of contractors to ensure that your project is completed properly. Do your research and ask for referrals from people you know. The last thing you want after spending a lot of money on renovations is to have to spend even more money to fix the errors.
Mistakes are expensive in construction, so it is imperative that you work with reputable contractors who have a proven track record of success. In addition to being qualified, your contractor should be somebody you are comfortable with as you will be working closely with him or her for the duration of the project.
Understand Reason Behind Renovation
We touched on this earlier, but it is worth mentioning again. Renovations are expensive, so make sure that you fully understand why you are undergoing a renovation. This will help you establish your priorities.
Renovations are an extensive process and require the commitment of money and time. The reasons need to warrant the amount of money you’re going to spend. Think long-term and make decisions that will benefit your company years down the road.
Improve Outer Appearance
While appeal should not be top on your list, it should fall somewhere on your list of priorities. The more appealing your commercial property looks, the more value it will have. People will form an impression based on how your property looks.
Making a good first impression all begins with the exterior aesthetics of your property. Choose materials that enhance your building’s outer appearance and find ways to make your building as appealing as possible to potential clients.
Find a Temporary Place to Work
While the result is gratifying, construction is very disruptive. Depending on the scope of your renovation, it may be a good idea to find a temporary place for staff to work from. Between all the drilling, hammering, and other construction sounds to the dust and debris that tends to linger in the air, renovation work can interfere with productivity.
All of this can cause significant interruptions to the flow of productivity, and the dust can pose health risks to certain people. In light of this, it’s best to move your team away from the construction site to an area where they can comfortably continue to perform their tasks.
Secure Building Permits
Before any renovation work can begin, you need to ensure you have the necessary building permits. The permits are proof that you have been granted permission by your municipality to make modifications to an existing building.
It also ensures that rules and guidelines established by law are being followed to ensure safety for all persons involved in the renovation project. An experienced contractor will know what permits need to be acquired based on the scope of your project and can be of great assistance in this process.
Contact Us
NOR Contractors are professionals in commercial renovations and can help you revamp your commercial property to give it the upgrade it needs. Our qualified team of contractors is top-tier and can help you take your building to the next level. Call us today for a free quote!