You may have invested in a piece of abandoned, run-down property with the intention of making it as your business hub and are thinking of ways to improve it, but unfortunately you don’t know where to start. Sure, you have an idea of the many components of a building that have to be checked or replaced, such as the electrical wiring and the waste water pump, but are truly at a loss about everything else.
Keep in mind that before doing any work on your building, you have to acquire the necessary permits first. To give you a better idea about what a building renovation project entails, here are the top five things to consider first.
Planning and time frame
First things first: plan the renovation. What kind of renovation work are you planning to do? It could be a simple extension to the floor area of the premises, a lobby, a storage area, or a major overhaul of the electrical wiring.
Make a list of the things that need to be done. It is ideal to sit down with a consultant during the planning stage, because he or she can also help you to determine when the project is likely to be completed. Assign an extra week to make room for any problems you may encounter during the project, such as extreme weather conditions that necessitates postponing work.
Foundation and physical structure
You should take into consideration the state of the building’s foundation and current physical structure. The work that needs to be done would depend on the soil bearing capacity as well as the building’s structural components.
Commercial structures usually consist of perimeter load-bearing walls, beams, and posts. You will need a structural engineer to assess your business premises for a thorough inspection and analysis of what you’ll need to keep or improve the building’s structural integrity during renovations.
Interiors and utilities
Renovations can also mean rethinking the floor plan to see if it would suit your business. Some walls may need to be taken down, while some walls are permanent because they are part of the load-bearing structure.
An architect and interior designer can identify which areas of the building can meet your particular office functions and which areas are suited for storage and utility management. The mechanical systems and utilities should also be taken into consideration. These include electricity, telephone, gas, water, sewer, cable Internet and television, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. It’s important that these utilities and systems are set up properly to avoid problems and accidents.
Building professionals
It takes a lot of professionals to put the renovation work together. You start from discussing the project with consultants such as architects, civil engineers, mechanical engineers, structural engineers, electrical engineers, interior designers, and building planners. You will also deal with contractors, builders, electricians, plumbers, and other service providers. Each professional plays a critical role in the success of your project.
Budget and payment plan
Last but not least, consider your total budget for the renovation work. Can you afford it? No work will be done if you don’t have the financial capacity to pay for it. Aside from the cost of materials, you have the cost of labor and professional fees to consider. You should also set aside a contingency fund. Discuss payment terms with the building professionals you’re hiring and make sure it’s all written on paper. Renovating your business premises is a major investment, and you should be able to work out a budget and payment plan to see it to completion.