Client Profile

First Colonial Inn offered independent living, assisted living, and memory care to Virginia Beach residents. Their retirement village has a long history of providing excellent care, though there’s been some wear and tear to their residential facilities over the years.

The Challenge

The biggest problem area was the balconies, which weren’t responding well to foot traffic. First Colonial Inn needed to find a contractor who could repair the balconies–and ensure they would stand for years to come, no matter how many residents and their families frequented the balconies.

Searching for a Contractor

Finding a partner whose work lasted was a main priority for First Colonial Inn. Because of this, they turned to Carlton Building Services, a contractor known for repairs, renovations, and remodels that are long-lasting.

Replacing Balconies

The focus for this project was replacing room balconies, which were not made for heavy foot traffic. Our team tore balconies to their trusses (aka the bare bones) and then brought in a trusted structural engineer to assess the trusses. Based on their insight, we rebuilt the balcony. We installed a new membrane walking surface, which can withstand a larger amount of foot traffic than the old balconies.

Small Improvements, Big Impact

While the main priority was replacing the balconies, Carlton Building Services commits to any small improvements we can accomplish along the way. For First Colonial Inn, this looked like repainting the balconies and fixing up outdoor siding. These small touches have a big impact on the lifespan and quality of the assisted living apartments.

The Art of Minimal Disruption

What sets Carlton Building Services apart is our promise of minimal disruption while working. For this project, we overhauled a significant number of balconies, but had little impact on the lives of residents. Well, that’s a lie. We did have a positive impact on residents’ lives because our team would help them carry in groceries and watered their plants. As for the actual construction project, we had little impact. Our team cleaned up at the end of each day and worked around First Colonial Inn’s schedule.

Looking to work with a contractor who’s focused on the long-term future of your building? Contact Carlton Building Services about your commercial construction project.