What to look for in a commercial renovation contractor

Whether you just bought a new space or are ready to spruce up an existing commercial location, a commercial renovation might be on your to-do list. The first step toward a successful renovation project is finding the right commercial renovation contractor. But what should you look for in this contractor and how do they differ from other types of contractors?

What is commercial renovation?

First things first, what is commercial renovation? While we’ve written about this topic in another blog post in more detail, we wanted to give a quick definition here too.

Renovation refers to minor touch ups or construction projects to improve a space which already exists. While home renovations are much more popular on HGTV, commercial renovations refer to improvements made to spaces utilized by businesses. This could include a paint touch-up in an office space or redoing the floor layout for a jewelry shop.

The role of a contractor in a commercial renovation project

Contractors keep a commercial renovation project on track, on budget, and aligned with your vision. They coordinate with different subcontractors, keep you in the loop on the project, and ensure everything goes according to plan.

When looking for a commercial contractor for a renovation or remodeling, you want to find someone who specializes in commercial renovation projects–not residential renovations or building new commercial spaces. If you had a heart condition, you wouldn’t show up to the neurosurgeon and expect them to perform open heart surgery. It’s the same thing with contractors–hire the right type for the building “surgery” that you need.

Green flags in a commercial renovation contractor

As you can imagine, getting a contractor for your renovation project isn’t as simple as hiring the first one who shows up on Google. You need to partner with the right contractor who fully understands your business’ needs.

Here are some green flags to look out for when hiring your next contractor:

• Excellent communication skills
• A good understanding of what you’re looking for and what the outcome of the project should be
• Past experience and expertise in commercial renovation
• Case studies which demonstrate a high caliber of work

When hiring a contractor, you want to feel confident in their skills, communication style, and ability to carry out the vision for your space.

Red flags in a commercial renovation contractor

Of course, we’ve all heard stories of contractors who never complete a project–and drain a client’s wallet. Here are some red flags and signs you should avoid a contractor so this doesn’t happen to you:

• The contractor doesn’t want to write out a contract or sign a formal agreement
• Bad reviews or few case studies which demonstrate their skills
• Little experience completing commercial renovation projects in the past
• Poor communication and project management skills

Commercial renovation might not be as intensive as a new commercial construction project or a full build-out, but it can help your space better embody your business’ values and help the physical structure stand for years to come. When you hire a high quality contractor with multiple green flags, you get a partner to build the future of your business with you.

Carlton Building Services in Hampton Roads Virginia

Carlton Building Services specializes in repairs, maintenance, renovations, remodelings and build-outs for a variety of clients in Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach, and Chesapeake areas. We have years of experience handling projects in the retail, office, and healthcare space and would love to work with you on your next project!

To learn more about our services, check out past project highlights or contact Carlton Building Services to see how we can help with your next project.