If you are thinking about renovating your commercial building and the tenants are still in the building, then this is an excellent place to start. Sometimes, commercial building renovation is necessary and needs to be done quickly and efficiently while still tenant occupied. However, there is a right way and a wrong way to approach the project. If you’re planning a commercial building renovation project while occupied, here are a few tips that will preserve your sanity as well as your tenants.
Recognize the Impact
A commercial renovation can bring significant improvements that benefit everyone. However, some inconvenience for current tenants is almost inevitable. Before proceeding with any building remodeling, think about how your tenants will be impacted.
- What information about the project will they need to know?
- Can you point out ways that they’ll benefit from the renovations so that they’ll be more tolerant of the disarray?
- Are there steps that you can take to mitigate the headaches they’ll face?
Plan for Communication
If you haven’t already, establish reliable communication with your tenants before any renovations begin. Decide what form of contact works best and use it. Be forthcoming about the commercial building construction plans. Share their potential benefits and the proposed work schedule with enough time that they can also make adjustments to their business operations. This allows you to share your vision with your tenants. It also gives them a chance to notify their employees and customers.
Keep the Lines of Communication Open
Whether the project involves an office renovation or the remodeling of units in a retail space, stay in touch. Keep the lines of communication open throughout the entire construction process. Notify your tenants of any changes in the plans or alterations in the schedule. Consider sending out reminders shortly before any work that is likely to cause major inconveniences begins. Finally, make it clear that you will respond promptly if your tenants have concerns or encounter a problem during the renovations.
Take a Phased Approach
The thought of quickly crossing renovations off of your to-do list may seem appealing. However, it’s generally best to take a phased approach to remodel a commercial property. Using a multi-step plan offers several benefits. You’ll enjoy greater flexibility in financing and scheduling. You’ll also find it more accessible and affordable to make changes in your master plan if you realize that something planned for a future phase won’t work. Such as, start your renovations in places that everyone uses like restrooms and core spaces is smart. Do you need to improve any common areas according to ADA Compliance Guidelines? When those are complete, turn your attention to vacant units. If you don’t already have a tenant waiting, keep the improvement general. This gives you greater flexibility in courting tenants.
Additional Reading: Commercial Building Renovation
- 5 Ways to Save Money During Commercial Renovation
- 5 Tips for Preparing for a Retail Commercial Renovation
- 7 Commercial Construction Tips for Office Renovation
- Staying Open for Business During a Commercial Renovation
Working with an experienced commercial contractor is a great way to minimize the stress of a building renovation. After all, having an experienced professional at the helm will help the project run smoothly. At CBF Contracting, Inc., we know what it takes to keep a commercial construction project on time and on budget without compromising on quality. Our professional team will get the job done right the first time. Contact us today at 814-745-3000 to discuss your commercial building renovation project and request an estimate.
