Is it time to renovate your commercial building?
Here are the signs to watch for and why they’re important
If you’re waiting for a sign on whether it’s time to renovate your commercial building, chances are your building will tell you. Dilapidated buildings can come at a high cost — far higher than if an owner stays on top of maintenance, repair, replacement and renovation.
But knowing exactly when and why it’s time to renovate your commercial building can be tricky, particularly when you’re busy with the day-to-day operations of your business. To ease your unease, the experts at DBS Group have pulled together some of the common signs that it’s time to renovate your commercial building, and you don’t have to be a commercial construction general contractor to spot them.
3 big signs it’s time to renovate your commercial building
1. The current design of your building no longer works for your business.
Business needs change — and they’ve perhaps never changed more than over the past two years when many businesses changed their work styles and employees en masse started working remotely. Look around at your space: what’s being used, and what’s not? Do you have wide-open spaces filled with empty cubicles? Do you lack sufficient meeting and gathering spaces? Does your staff express an interest in more coworking spaces or remodeling for improved productivity? Have you added service lines or products that don’t have a home? Does technology that you use every day require a different configuration or electrical work to be used optimally? Now’s the time to take a hard look at those needs.
Why is this important? Unused or underutilized space can be extremely costly to your organization. Lacking the dedicated spaces you need for your staff or products can also represent an opportunity cost. A commercial building renovation can help you tap that potential and grow your business strategically.
2. Your building is a brand mismatch.
You would be forgiven if your long-standing business has grown and changed over the past several years — whose hasn’t? If you’ve gone through the hard work of rebranding, you know how important it is for your space to tie into your company brand. That means everything from the look and feel to interior design, color palette and signage.
Old buildings can play hardball, though, which is why it’s important to work with a design and build firm that listens to your needs and has experienced designers who can put your vision on paper. Keep in mind that a renovation can help attract new clients or retain the ones you have, particularly if you rent commercial space and want to have a wow factor to secure tenants. Outdated design and decor and deteriorated finishes can communicate neglect of commercial spaces and quickly drive business away.
Why is this important? When your brand and your commercial space are in alignment, it strengthens your brand identity, builds brand recognition, differentiates you from competitors and can even build your business. More, a renovation can help you incorporate innovations in your industry that your building may have aged out of — a significant opportunity to keep in mind even when aesthetics don’t matter for your business.
3. Utility costs are putting you in the red.
Utilities are a reality of owning and operating commercial space. In our region especially, outdated heating and cooling systems and insufficiently-insulated buildings can hog energy. Aged buildings come with aged HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems that can further drive up costs and sometimes pose a hazard.
Efficiencies are likely within reach for those willing to invest in HVAC system upgrades, solar panels, new insulation, energy-efficient lighting, electrical improvements and more, driving down your overhead expenses for the long term. Be sure to look into incentives that you may be eligible for, including government programs and grants for green improvements, energy efficiencies and more. (Check out our recent article on grants and incentives for such improvements here.)
Why is this important? It can save you money now and for years to come. Some commercial tenants and other customers may especially appreciate an owner/builder who uses green building techniques.
When it’s time to renovate your commercial building, think design and build
If the signs point to yes, and you’re ready to move forward with your commercial building renovation in and around La Crosse, WI, and Rochester, MN, think design and build. The design-build model of construction is completely different from the traditional approach of commercial construction general contractors. With design and build, your entire project team works together from start to finish, streamlining timelines, maximizing potential savings on materials and virtually eliminating change orders. Give us a call to learn more about how our design-build team can make all the difference in your upcoming commercial building renovation.