17 Steps to Renovate Your Personal or Commercial Building Successfully

Written by Posted On Friday, 03 May 2019 18:13

You have been planning on renovating your commercial or personal building. It is tempting to want to dive into the remodeling project right away with the idea that the sooner you start, the earlier you will get it done. However, it doesn't work that way. Proper planning is essential in ensuring a successful home or commercial building overhaul. Considering that renovation can be an overwhelming process, following these steps will ease the planning and implementation process.

1. Determine the motivation for renovation

Identify the reasons for planning the remodeling. Write down the objectives and what you wish to achieve at the end of the project. Do you expect a significant facelift or are you doing it because the building is not functioning optimally? Consider all the forecasted structural changes in the property and list them in order or priority. Having a clear idea of the things that matter the most helps you to focus on them and allocate budget accordingly.

2. Find out if there are current violations on the property

If the building has been there for a long time, there is a chance that the structure has been beaten by time. Building codes and laws change over the years, and some designs might be outdated. Rather than waiting for the construction permit officers to notice these defects, find out if there are any violations. In case you find some, consider including them in your construction plan.

3. Check the structure's envelope

An envelope refers to what separates a structure from the exterior, such as the roof, windows, and doors. Consider the developments that your building doesn't feature, especially if it was constructed decades ago. For instance, there has been lobbying of include ramps to make access easier for people with disabilities. If your building doesn't have ramps, you may want to include them in the remodel.

4. Review the structural and MEP situation

Can the building handle the overhaul changes? Access the mechanical, electrical and plumbing state to know if it can handle the current occupant's needs. If you are planning on expanding, access these features to find out if they can support the additional demands.

5. Evaluate the facility requirements

Whether it is a commercial or personal building, the law requires the inclusion of specific facility requirements. For instance, can the washrooms support the offices inside the commercial building? Ensure that the necessary facilities are within the vicinity and can be accessed easily by the occupants.

6. Balance investment and benefits/returns

If you are renovating a commercial building, the primary aim should be to increase the revenue generated. If you are working on your building, you want to ensure that it increases curb appeal, if you wish to sell it or not. Whichever the case, it wouldn't be wise to go overboard on the expenses because it might reduce the returns. Find the right balance of the costs incurred and the possible increase in revenue and value to realize a satisfactory return on investment. Consider getting an expert evaluation of similar projects.

7. Engage a design professional

At this point, you have already figured out what you want to achieve from the overhaul as well as when and how you want to do it. Unless you are a design expert, it is advisable to engage one so that you can design the fine details of the project.

You may hire an architect, interior designer or both. Designers usually work on projects that don't require major structural additions. They also offer guidance on choosing colors and materials. Architects are trained in a broader scope of work. They can design floor, electric and roof plans. You can also get a specific expert for the particular need, such as TEMA Roofing Services for the roof remodel.

Choosing design experts starts with a one-on-one meeting. It usually takes a few weeks depending on the number of professionals you are interviewing. It is your chance to understand the services every firm offers and ensure they match what you are expecting.

8. Select a theme or style

The best way to ensure you benefit from the remodel you choose is to research widely. Get inspiration by looking for interior and exterior ideas on web-based housing sites, magazines, and any other viable sources. Here are some questions to consider:

  • Which overall style appeals to you?

Some examples include Art décor, Contemporary, Minimalist, Eco-friendly, Hampton style, Queenslander, and Provincial.

  • What style suits your business or personality choices?

9. Craft a plan

Now that you have settled on the design, you can start making a plan. The plan is known as schematic design, and it involves a rough layout of the floor plan and simple sketches of the exterior view of the home. It takes a while for the design expert to work out a plan based on your objectives. When the professional makes the first schematic design, the owner should scrutinize it. Determine whether it meets your specifications. If not, request the architect or designer to create the desired changes. The design phase may take a while. Do not rush this stage because what you design will determine the outcome of the home project.

10.Find the best time to carry out the renovation

Renovating a building implies that it might be closed until you complete the work. This might affect all operations in the building. In the case of a commercial building, businesses that run in the premise will have to stall for a while. That is why you should settle for the period that affects the businesses the least. The duration should be kept at a minimum and are better off being carried out in phases.

11.Make a budget

With the plan in hand, you are now in a position of creating an accurate budget. You had an idea of the amount you were willing to spend on the project before you started looking into the particulars. Now that you have consulted a professional, you should have a better idea of the amount you should spend. When budgeting, leave an allowance of about 30 percent for contingency. This will give you some wiggle room in case unexpected issues arise during the overhaul and require you to spend beyond what you had planned. You may also have to develop a preliminary budget in the beginning and revise it once you make specific plans with the architect or designer.

12.Hire a contractor

When hiring a contractor, you should have settled on the final schematic drawing. The contractors that apply for the position will give an average of the overall budget. You can compare their estimate to yours, check their suitability and hire the one that meets your needs well.

13.Obtain the permits

A few permits are required by the local authorities before initiating a renovation project. The owner should ensure that he or she has all-inclusive knowhow of all the necessary permissions and formalities. If you skip this process, you might be in trouble with the authorities in the future.

Different cities demand different permits that often depend on your location and the extent of the renovation project. Sometimes you may be asked to submit a survey before obtaining the licenses. In case you are in a sensitive environmental area such as next to a water body, environmental officers must do an environmental impact assessment. Sometimes there is a need for hazardous material tests for asbestos, lead, mercury among other dangerous materials within the building.

14.Go green for sustainability

Reducing the adverse effects that a building may have on the environment is sometimes mandated by the law, while in other instances it is a considerate move to make with nature in mind. Use solar panels for electricity generation and central heating to reduce the carbon footprint of the building. Consider a design that allows the maximum amount of natural light in the building, which will reduce the required electricity.

15.What are the tax benefits?

Renovating a building often attracts several tax benefits. Talk to a lawyer or an accounting professional to find out the tax benefits that the project accrues. You can apply for these financial incentives and tax concessions.

16.Renovate with the future in mind

There is no need for spending a lot of money on the renovation project and then having to redo it after a few months. When doing the overhaul, consider future needs so that they are easy to incorporate without spending time and money of significant restructuring.

17.Do the remodel

By this time, you have settled for the design of choice, applied for the necessary permits and chosen a contractor. You are now ready to start the overhaul. Unless you are part of the work, you may not be involved in this step. If any issues arise, the contractor will alert you.

After the renovation project is completed, you can perform the necessary inspections. Now you or your tenants can occupy the building.

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