COMMERCIAL RENOVATIONS
COMMERCIAL ELECTRICAL REPLACEMENTS AND UPGRADES
Like every system in your building, your electrical system needs to be updated in order to keep running smoothly. We offer the latest upgrades and features that will keep your business stylish and efficient. From LED lighting to high-efficiency wiring, our wide selection of upgrades and new product installs will keep your consumers happy. With better electrical systems in your business, you’ll be extending the life of your circuits and wiring.
QUICK AND RELIABLE COMMERCIAL ELECTRICIANS
We know how important is it for you to have quick, thorough service so you can get back to business quickly, so we offer you some of the best customer service in southern Delaware. With our guaranteed quick, exceptional service, you won’t be wasting money while your business is closed for electrical repairs. Our commercial electricians take pride in their work and try to be as neat and precise as possible so you don’t have to waste time cleaning up.
WHAT MAKES OUR COMMERCIAL ELECTRICIANS BETTER THAN OUR COMPETITORS?
We use the most recent and innovative technologies to make sure your electrical work gets done the first time. We know that time is money. The faster we deliver top-quality electrical services, the faster you can get back to business.
Commercial Construction: 5 Steps to Remodeling a Business Space
Review the certificate of occupancy
Number one, two, and three on your checklist before even committing to a lease should be: check the CO, check the CO, and check the CO. The document shows what you can legally use a property for—an office, a private residence, a restaurant, etc. Many cities and towns will have online databases where you can download a copy of a property’s CO. Here’s a link to search in New York City.
Understand existing violations on your property
Especially if the property you’re eyeing hasn’t changed hands or had a new tenant for some time, it’s possible it already has building violations. It could be that someone did work without a permit, installed a rooftop AC unit incorrectly, or the fire sprinkler system isn’t functioning. “When you go to get a permit, these things are scrutinized and discovered,” explained Colin, a Sweeten general contractor. If the violations aren’t corrected, that could mean a costly stop-work order on your construction project later on.
Review structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing
Now you need to determine if your property can handle the weight of your business. And in some cases, we mean that quite literally. Hernandez’s example illustrates the point: if you want to flip a clothing retail space into a car showroom, it’s a wise idea to make sure the floor can support the added weight. Or how about creating an open-plan office that’s perfect for teamwork? Before drawing up those plans, you need to know what walls are load-bearing and if they can be moved. If moving that wall (or not) is a deal breaker, it’s best to know the capabilities of a space before signing on the dotted line. “You need to ask what are the limits of design,” said Sweeten contractor Colin.
Checking on a building’s envelope
An envelope is building speak for whatever separates the outside from the inside—windows, doors, roof, etc. It’s another area worth looking into before starting your project.
What are your facility requirements?
Most health codes will require an employer to provide access to toilet facilities. For offices, this could mean a shared bathroom on a floor, according to Hernandez, the expediter. “They have to make sure employees have access to a bathroom from within the building,” she said. One client suggested sending employees to another building, but this was not permitted under the health code.
Practical Tips for Finding Project Leads
Where are the leads?
Construction leads are always published somewhere. Thanks to the Internet, it’s much easier and cost-effective to find them. For example, a quick Google search for “construction bid leads services” should introduce you to services you might not have been aware of. However, here’s a word of caution: If you’re not familiar with a particular service, ask for a “trial” before you buy. In addition, ask for references of other clients you can call to see if the service is working well for them. Although this may be obvious, make sure the construction bid lead service actually lists jobs that pertain to electrical divisions 16 or 26.
Watch the coverage area
There are a few things you should know before starting your search for construction bid leads in your area. Construction bid boards can promote national, regional, or state jobs. Typically, the more comprehensive the “draw” area of the board, the more expensive the subscription. Therefore, if you mainly work in the state of Connecticut, for instance, you’ll want to subscribe to a service that includes only Connecticut job leads. Why pay for something you won’t use? On the other hand, if you work in multiple states, you’ll want to seek out job lead bid boards that have a more extensive coverage area.
Understand the fee structure
Construction bid lead services charge you a subscription fee, which is typically based on an annual rate. Some companies require payment for the entire year at the beginning of your subscription, while others may charge you a monthly fee. Inquire about a “trial subscription,” if you are unsure about the benefits of a particular lead service.
Popular sites
Perhaps the most recognized online bid board in the industry is Dodge Reports You can search Dodge Reports by geography, building type, and project type. Formats range from a weekly publication, daily bulletins, and newspaper formats. Updated daily, Dodge Reports estimates that at any given time it is tracking almost a half million active projects. Subscription plans begin for as little as $39.99 a month for 25 leads. If you’re going old school, you can also order Dodge Reports in print.
Two-for-one deals
Many of you are probably familiar with the “Blue Book of Building and Construction” In fact, many of you have probably advertised in this publication, the benefits of which are two-fold. First, your listing allows GCs working in your area to find you. Secondly, if you advertise in this book, you will also be provided with job leads in the area in which you advertise via its bid board called BB Bid. Even if you’re not interested in placing advertising in this book, you can at least sign up for a free listing.
Constructing your own commercial building
Evaluate your options
The sheer scale of a construction project demands a major commitment from any entrepreneur. Keep in mind that the time and energy invested in constructing a building could also be put into the business itself. Even if you hire a project manager to oversee the job, you’ll still need to be involved in daily decision-making, and that will inevitably mean more time away from daily operations.
Make the right projections
A bank advisor can help you determine the affordability of your project, how much money you’ll need from start to finish and the right financing solutions for your needs. It helps to start with a good business plan so that you can make realistic revenue projections; this will help you gain the confidence of lenders that you can handle a project of this scope without endangering your company’s financial health.
Get your building permit in order
Once you’ve made the decision to build, the next step is to be sure that you’ve satisfied all local rules with the right permit. It’s wise to do this as early as possible, since building without a permit is obviously not an option. Rules can vary greatly depending on whether you’re building new premises, altering existing premises, changing the appearance of a building or altering its use.
Get a good architect or designer
Deterred by the high cost of professional building designers, entrepreneurs will sometimes skip the essential step of hiring a good architect or designer. While you might think you’re saving money up front, you will lose in the end because of problems such as an inefficient use of space. “It’s not just a box that you’re building,” notes Olley. “It has to fit all of your requirements.”
Be realistic about your own involvement
Olley cautions business owners to be realistic in assessing how much time they can devote to the project. Often, companies lose business during construction projects because the management team is less focused on performance and too anxious about the new building. Depending on the scale of the job, Olley recommends hiring project managers who can take care of complex logistics and ensure that the layout designer, architect, engineers and contractors work in harmony.
Tips for Remodeling Your Commercial Building
Make sure you take care of permits.
Depending on where the building is located, there could be permits that you’ll need before starting any type of major renovation project. Permits could hinge on whether or not the work is interior or exterior, among other factors. Be sure to double check that you have all permits that you need before you get started to avoid running into complications.
Know who’s managing the project.
With extensive remodeling and repairs, you could have multiple projects going on simultaneously. The project manager will also manage material deliveries and handle any disputes. Make sure you know who the overall project manager is so that you can keep on top of deadlines and milestones and stay abreast of any issues that may come up during the process. This will ensure that the project runs smoothly and stays on course.
Plan Accordingly.
From creating a detailed budget to allowing enough time to successfully complete a renovation project, make sure that you plan for everything. A few things to keep in mind are: managing how your project will affect your tenants, making sure that there are alternatives to whatever space is being worked on (i.e., stairs available if the elevator is under maintenance), and finding the right contractor to handle the job.