While commercial renovation jobs can vary significantly, there are some common considerations that reliably play a role in the pricing of the project. In this post we want to highlight a few of them to bear in mind.
First, Location and Building Codes
Where your commercial building is located will always effect the types of building codes that come into play. Sometimes that means doorways a will need to be a particular width, or there may be plumbing or electrical considerations.
We’ve have clients that didn’t have to consider these things for many years because they had an old building that was grandfathered in with older rules. However, the minute you begin updating things all the new requirements kick in.
In those scenarios, the renovation became more expensive than they’d anticipated.
If you’re on a historic location, that will carry a whole set of its own requirements. We urge you to speak with a reputable commercial remodeling contractor before digging in to review exactly these sorts of caveats.
In some cases a historic site may simply mean certain parts will be more expensive or require more red tape. But in other cases it can mean that certain renovations can’t even be done.
When You Are Changing The Function Of The Commercial Space
Warehouse spaces might be fairly straightforward in their construction and usage, and will be very different from a restaurant or a laboratory.
Any type of commercial renovation that sigifnficantly changes the function of the space like this, which is heavily related to a retail upfit, will involve more expenses than a remodel where the usage will be largely the same.
This is not only because a different set of codes and requirements come into play, but also because the way walls, hallways, or other amenities are laid out may not make sense anymore.
In the example of a commercial space being converted to a laboratory, the latter generally requires specialized plumbing and ventilation. Very likely the previous design did not incorporate any of those things, and these are some of the most expensive aspects of a commercial remodel.
Hazardous Material Surveys & Unforseen Conditions
Similar to the earlier point about older buildings being grandfathered in under older rules, occasionally a commercial property that’s been around a long time has accumulated some unsafe chemicals or buildup.
Maybe they went unnoticed because they didn’t seem to directly affect anything. On a remodel where permits and inspections will be involved, though, you never want to be mid-job and run into show stoppers.
Having a hazardous material survey done is a good anticipatory move, and you’ll know right away if you need to have abatement done or if your contractors will need special gear.
Material Costs
What’s happening right now in America, at the time of writing this, is a perfect example of this concept.
Right now the price of lumber is considerably higher than normal, and that’s become a major consideration for every client we’ve worked with planning a commercial renovation.
For instance, if the price of lumber was going to make the total renovation cost 60% more than usual, is that a deterrent or simply an unfortunate necessity? Only you can answer that given the urgency of the renovation.
Even in less severe cases, things such as the time of year or even the part of town your commercial space is located can affect pricing to a degree.
If you’re planning a commercial renovation and want some help laying out the particulars and putting that plan into action, call us today.