Commercial building refacing projects are becoming more popular as businesses adopt hybrid work models. If you’ve been thinking about refacing your commercial property, don’t postpone it anymore. As you get more comfortable with the refacing process, you’ll realize there are several moving parts involved in refacing a commercial structure. The success of your project calls for careful execution of each phase of the process; thus, it’s important to be organized and ensure the project stays on course. Before commencing your project, define your goal and then find the right team. Here’s what you need to know about taking on a commercial building refacing project.
1. Restructuring the Foundations
Your foundation should be restructured or strengthened once its concrete work starts to deteriorate and can no longer sustain the structure. This usually happens as a result of alterations to the soil’s structure. Whether it’s as a result of external factors or the type of soil, underpinning may be necessary to maintain the structural integrity of your structure. Here are a few factors structural engineers take into account when evaluating a structure’s foundation to determine whether underpinning is needed:
- They conduct a preliminary assessment to determine the extent of the damage
- They assess the foundation of your structure to establish the cause of the damage
- They determine whether the soil movement can be corrected swiftly and easily
- They measure your home to establish the size and depth of your foundation and determine the condition of the underlying soil
If the underpinning is done close to an existing building, your structural engineer is required to comply with local regulations. Restructuring your foundations is an important aspect of a commercial building refacing project.
2. Cleaning the Space
Cleaning the space is an important aspect of a commercial building refacing project. It can be easy to forget certain tasks when cleaning commercial structures. When you have a cleaning plan in place, everyone involved is aware of the tasks to be completed, and when they should be finished. It’s also advisable to keep a list of what has been done. Make a checklist for your commercial cleaning routine. Start by putting together a list of all the different spaces that need to be addressed during refacing. Begin with the lobby and reception area and move on to the desks, cabins, workstations, pantry, and restrooms. Establish a designated day for each task to ensure the cleaning crew addresses all areas effectively.
Encourage workers to keep their desks free of papers, files, and other office supplies. Putting away such objects frees up the desks for easier cleaning. Establishing a clear desk policy is helpful. Understanding what products and equipment should be used on your building’s surfaces is essential for commercial cleaning. Spraying and wiping, as most homeowners do, aren’t sufficient. When cleaning and disinfecting commercial buildings, professional cleaning and disinfecting services are your best choice. A professional pest control company is something else you need to think about. In addition to being annoying and embarrassing, certain pests can inflict costly damage to your structure. For instance, rodents can destroy your valuable documents, while termites can deteriorate your building’s structural integrity. You can safeguard your workplace from all pest-related harm by investing in pest control.
3. Protecting Your Property
Consider professional locksmith services for a commercial building refacing project. To satisfy the demands of owners and managers of business properties, a commercial locksmith offers a wide range of services. These encompass the key making, repair, installation, and replacement of all lock types and security systems, as well as access to control equipment like biometric readers, proximity cards, keypads, or card readers.
Commercial buildings often need greater security than residential ones as they’re more likely to be targeted by sophisticated criminals. Threats posed by such criminals include burglaries or thefts of parked cars, unauthorized entrance into facilities that may house sensitive technology like computers, or sabotage by resentful staff who are familiar with how it works. Locksmith services work to prevent such situations.
Your locksmith will ensure your company is safe and secure, so you won’t have to be concerned about dangers that may harm your clientele, employees, or reputation. Using commercial locksmiths to safeguard your company’s property is both inexpensive and effective. By investing in professional locksmith services early on, you can avoid having to pay later for pricey replacements or repairs arising from security breaches. It’s simpler and less expensive to do so at the beginning.
4. Safety Infrastructure
It’s also important to include safety infrastructure in your commercial building refacing project.
Even though everyone seems to recognize the importance of fire protection, a significant number of fires still break out each month. Consider these figures compiled by SG Architectural Specialties:
- Each year, there are over 100,000 fire occurrences in commercial and corporate buildings
- Between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., office fires cause 67% of all property damage
- Cooking appliances are the primary source of 29% of commercial fire breaks. Other frequently cited causes include intentional fires (10%), electrical equipment (12%), and smoking (9%)
- Smoke inhalation accounts for the majority of fatalities rather than the fire itself
In the case of manufacturing facilities, the need for a fire protection plan is clear, and starting a firm is sometimes impossible without it. For effective fire prevention in commercial buildings, you need to work with professional fire extinguisher services. You won’t have the time to check whether your fire extinguisher is working properly during a fire. Fire extinguishers in commercial structures should be annually inspected by a licensed contractor, and all commercial spaces should be within legal fire code regulation.
5. Passing Inspection
Schedule a professional electrical inspection as soon as possible to ensure electrical hazards are addressed. There is no reason to be alarmed about these inspections, even if they have the same negative press as tax and building assessments. To ensure code compliance, commercial electricians have to inspect the property from top to bottom. It helps to keep in mind that they eliminate risks that could endanger property and people.
Avoid the temptation to bribe a government employee to overlook costly repairs. Bribery is a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine, which can land the involved parties in serious trouble. (Section 2d). Passing an inspection is perhaps one of the most important aspects of a commercial building refacing project.
6. Rebuilding
The cost of rebuilding your property is one of the main factors influencing commercial building insurance costs. Insurance companies make the largest payouts when a facility is completely or severely damaged by a flood or fire. When a building is damaged, it must be torn down and a new one put up. Demolition costs include fees for securely bringing down a structure and getting rid of the waste and debris. Rebuild values include costs for materials, labor, and professionals required to restore the structure.
Professional costs include the local authority, surveying fees, architect fees, etc. The rebuild cost is typically lower than the market value of your property. However, it does include the cost of rebuilding and deducts the land’s value. An accurate reinstatement value often results in adequate commercial building insurance coverage. A quotation based on the market value, which includes the land, may indicate the property is over-insured. To get the most accurate value, hire a certified professional to evaluate the building and offer an accurate rebuild cost.
Another factor that affects insurance premiums for commercial buildings is the claims history. Prior claims make an insurer wary, and they may cancel the contract or raise the price. The cost of commercial building insurance also often depends on a property’s location. Penalties may apply to areas with a high burglary or vandalism rate. Buildings in flood-risk zones may attract high insurance costs, or the insurer may exclude flood coverage altogether. When acquiring a commercial property, make sure you’re aware of all potential risks. Rebuilding may also call for professional heavy equipment services, which can affect insurance premiums.
7. Storage Space and Assets
Your storage space and assets are also important factors to consider in a commercial building refacing project. You’ll find investing in a warehouse racking system, a space management solution, to be worth every penny. Most warehouses invest in these systems for several reasons. Space maximization is one of the benefits you’ll get to enjoy with a warehouse racking system. Most warehouses are limited in terms of space, forcing store managers to find ways of maximizing it. Even when racking systems are stacked vertically, they use as much of the available floor space as feasible. To conserve storage space, stack racking systems on top of one another. Racking systems provide several advantages for warehouses, distribution hubs, and commercial structures. They can be employed to maximize storage space and improve the building’s general productivity.
8. Consider Sustainability
Making the right commercial building refacing choices for a building that probably needs many upgrades is not an easy task. Similar to how individuals look to make their houses more environmentally friendly, investors in commercial buildings want to make clients happy and help promote their health. One of the best methods for commercial buildings to go green is through the use of renewable energy sources like solar panel installation. Because industrial and commercial buildings have far more room than residential ones, they make it easier to maximize the use of solar panels, which come in a variety of types. Make sure the solar panel installation provides your commercial building with maximum returns.
In the past, sustainable business practices were formerly seen as a brand bonus. Today, they’re a requirement. Younger consumers are making conscious efforts to live sustainably, both personally and financially. According to BCI Construction, compared to the global average of 60%, 61% of American customers consider sustainability to be a key issue when making a purchase, and 34% are ready to spend up to 25% extra on goods made by environmentally friendly businesses. Despite these figures, senior executives still prioritize brand names over brand behavior. There is a great opportunity for commercial building owners to make significant strides by incorporating solar power into their commercial building refacing projects.
9. Business Furbishing
Refurbishing a commercial structure offers a great opportunity for one to keep up with the times and promote better working conditions for occupants. In the process, it boosts productivity and bottom lines. Refacing can help you accomplish your goals, whether you’re merely trying to make the most of your floor space to prevent an unwarranted office relocation, or if you want to hire extra workers or copier service to revitalize your company’s brand. Plan your refacing project beyond the requirements of the workplace today, and consider the future to get the most out of your project. Any plan for a commercial building renovation should consciously factor in flexibility to allow you to grow with the business while also adjusting to the evolving nature of workplace culture and technological advancements.
To lessen your office’s impact on the environment, consider modular systems and furniture. Use sustainable materials whenever possible. Natural light is key to a successful commercial building refacing project. If you have a row of floor-to-ceiling windows, take advantage of their benefits. They have been proven to increase brain activity, employee satisfaction, and higher performance. Instead of additional artificial lighting, concentrate on maximizing the natural light you already have. Employ several reflective and mirrored surfaces in your commercial building refacing project to allow natural light to reflect throughout the building.
Final Thoughts
A commercial building refacing project may seem intimidating, but with careful planning and a thorough checklist, the process can be made simpler. When executed right, commercial building refacing makes the space more functional, increases property value, and generates a good return on investment. When you partner with a professional contractor, you are guaranteed clear communication and close collaboration throughout the project. A refacing project gives your commercial building a new lease of life. It could be used to signal a change in business tact and a commitment to meet the needs of clients with more freshness and vibrancy.