How to Successfully Renovate Your Commercial Building in 12 Steps
Renovation can be a difficult task. It requires a lot of planning, dedication, care, skill, and, above all else, investment. If you’re the owner of a commercial building or work in one, and you want to upgrade or renovate it, you’ll need to know what you’re getting into. If you’re investing thousands of dollars, it’s better to know how you’ll use that money. Here is how you can successfully renovate your commercial building in twelve steps.
- Define your goals
The first step to being able to renovate your property effectively is to understand what you’ll need to do to start repairs. Your project can be massive, or it could be minor, and this all depends on the limits and constraints you put upon yourself. Your goals could vary, as some people decide to renovate to freshen up the look of a building before they sell it off, while others do it to correct major faults and make tenants happy.
- Set a budget
Now that you’ve created a clear set of goals for yourself, the project, and the place you want to end up at, the next step is to create a budget. Putting money aside for the job is integral if you want to efficiently get through all of your tasks and keep your spending under control. Allot some amounts of money for specific tasks, such as repairs, purchasing furniture, and repainting, and others to pay the people you’ve hired for service. If you keep a strict budget and a log of what you’re spending, you’ll prevent the project from going over budget.
- Access all permits
Before you’re ready to begin your work, you’ll need to work alongside your construction workers and any regulators to make sure you have the proper permits. In many cases, regulators send officials to investigate and clear buildings before you can begin work to ensure it’s safe for people to be in. In some other instances, when people are planning on demolishing certain buildings, the paperwork and permits are even more important, and you’ll need to work closely with the related controlling authority in your area.
- Partner with architects
If you’re planning on doing any work on a building, it’s crucial to have a good architect. While many people have problems with their architects, many firms are opening up all over the United States that focus on providing excellent service for customers. Thanks to the internet, locating a nearby commercial architect has become incredibly easier. For example, if you live in Colorado, conducting a quick online search for reputable commercial architects in Colorado can provide you with numerous options to consider. If your architect is a good match for your project, you’ll find that your vision is easier and less expensive to bring to life.
- Plan the renovation
Planning the renovation while working with professionals is a good idea if you want to have a realistic project with achievable goals. While you may want to completely redesign a building or start from scratch, having a professional like a construction crew or an architect with you will give you a better idea of what the building needs, how much it’ll cost, and the timeframe it can be achieved in. Private inspectors can check on the utilities and other parts of the building, too.
- Select materials
Gathering materials is important for any job, but they’ll be crucial in a renovation. The materials you pick go a long way to defining the look and feel of your property, so, especially if you’re renovating to make the place look better, deciding on the right materials and finish will help you a lot. Depending on what you’re aiming for and what your budget is, you should spend more to get better paint that lasts longer, as well as curing materials that will bring the shine out of your furniture, floors, and walls.
- Prepare the site
Preparation is something that many people neglect to do before starting construction. Preparation entails a lot of things but is mainly about safety and comfort for everyone involved. Before you’re ready to begin, there are a few things that you’ll need to make sure of, such as removing all hazards from the building, drying and cleaning it, and providing the professionals you’ve hired a place to set up.
- Install utilities
Utilities are necessary in any building you expect people to stay in. However, they can be degraded or ruined over time or even shut off. While you’re renovating the building, make sure to install things like central heating and cooling, proper electrical supply, water, and gas. If any pipes are in need of repair or replacement, now is the time to do it.
- Meet safety standards
Meeting safety standards is how you’ll be able to move ahead with your project on time and prevent any potential lawsuits. There are many authorities out there, but the biggest one in the United States is OSHA, which takes the standard of safety in construction sites very seriously. Ensure there are no hazards where work is being done and the equipment being used is up to code. Any people working on site should also be wearing hard hats and reflective jackets.
- Audit your work
Self-auditing is less serious than it sounds, though it is still important. It refers to the practice of going over your work with a fine toothcomb and making sure everything is going according to plan. This is no less necessary in the context of renovation. Now and then, you should make sure the work that’s been done is how you pictured it without any major faults and that the money you’re spending is being used efficiently.
- Upgrade the paint
No matter what your goals may be, upgrading the paint used in your building is always a good idea. High-quality paint always comes with its own set of advantages, like insulation, protection for the walls, and hiding blemishes, but the biggest advantage you’ll get from a high-end paint is that it’ll last for years, if not decades, with a pristine coat that doesn’t fade. This may even end up saving you money in the long run.
- Strengthen interior walls
Strengthening the foundation and load-bearing walls of the interior of the building will help you out in the long run, too. Make sure that the walls you’re working with aren’t too damaged, and if they are, replace them or strengthen them using fresh wood and material. If this doesn’t work out, installing a few support beams will help improve how long your building lasts, too.
Conclusion
Renovation and construction as a whole can be incredibly difficult and complicated. This level of complexity only increases if you consider things like regulations, taxes, lease agreements, etc. However, breaking complicated tasks down into manageable steps can always give you an advantage. If you use the information in this article, you’ll be able to perform simple tasks that will help your renovation process massively.
