subject: Tenant Improvement: The Unique World Of Commercial Construction [print this page] A lot of people think that construction is construction, whether youre renovating master bedrooms or coordinating office build-outs with architects, designers, and landlords. In reality, commercial construction is very different from small home repairs, in terms of project size and scheduling concerns, among other factors.
The sheer magnitude of most tenant improvement projects leaves little room for error which can get complicated, since large projects require large teams of people. These include:
Landlords. As most office build-outs occur in leased spaces, its important to clear any plans with the building landlord. It is also useful to consider the length of the lease when determining the size of a project; if the lease is under two years, large-scale construction is usually not cost-effective.
Architects and designers. Architects are essential for construction involving structural modifications to ensure that a project remains both logical and safe. Mostly concerned with non-structural elements, designers direct aspects of the construction while considering both function and form.
Construction workers. Tasked with turning plans into reality, construction workers should be trained to reduce incidental impact. Certain clients might need teams willing to work around the clock, while others will be satisfied to have work done during business hours.
Contractors. Commercial contractors are that magical extra ingredient that connects all of the aforementioned. This includes coordinating plans with all of the relevant parties, scheduling construction, and performing a final inspection at the projects end.
In addition to featuring large teams of people, commercial construction must also adhere to a stricter set of deadlines and scheduling restrictions. A family of four can stay in a hotel if their kitchen renovation takes longer than expected, but there arent many hotel rooms big enough to include an office full of employees. Many clients wish to continue working in a portion of their space while construction is going on. In this case, the tenant improvement project should include dust control technology to keep the work area safe at all times. Contractors often secure construction crews willing to work evening and night shifts so that the project does not interrupt the client during business hours. Some rush projects can even include three teams working 24 hours a day. Even with all of these differences, commercial and residential construction projects do have certain elements in common, as the work involved often features some of the same improvements. For example, both homeowners and office tenants can benefit from increased insulation through impact resistant windows and doors. Although ideal for clients in areas vulnerable to hurricanes, impact windows can enhance structures in all locations. In addition to standing up to harsh weather, hurricane windows block outside noise, improve building security, and restrict UV rays, which can help prevent interior fabrics from fading. Best of all, impact windows can lower energy expenses by providing better heat insulation, and they are available in most of the same styles as conventional windows.
