When preparing for a commercial renovation, whether it be a retail, service or food & beverage space it’s imperative to begin with a thorough plan. A well-organized checklist can streamline the process, and balance your expectations.

1. Define Your Goals Clearly

Before diving into any renovation project, it's crucial to establish a clear vision for what you want to achieve. This involves understanding the purpose of the renovation, identifying specific improvements needed, and outlining your desired outcomes--Are you merely looking for maintenance & upkeep? Are you looking to reach a new demographic? Are you looking to increase occupancy? Have you rebranded?

2. Establish a Realistic Budget

Creating a realistic budget is a cornerstone of a successful commercial renovation. Be realistic and transparent about what you are willing to put into your business. At this stage working with a construction manager would be beneficial to conduct a thorough cost analysis and to ensure your goals which you defined above align with your allocated funds. An experienced professional will also be able to identify proper funds required for contingencies to account for unexpected costs based on the condition of the existing space. Allow time to have your proper finances in place at each milestone of the renovation. There will be deposits required up front.

3. Assemble the Right Consultant Team

Collaborating with the right professionals can make or break a commercial renovation. Your team could consist of an Interior Designer, Architect, Mechanical and Electrical Engineers, Contractors and possibly more. Each of these consultants should be vetted to ensure they have a breadth of experience specific to your type of renovation. Select a reputable construction manager known for delivering on time and within budget. Assembling the right consultant team up front will allow a smoother flow through the entire process and ultimately provide you efficiency by getting it right the first time.

4. Allow Adequate Time for Planning and Execution

Timelines are critical in commercial renovations yet often overlooked. An experienced design consultant can provide you with an achievable timeline for each phase of the renovation including design, sourcing, permitting, tender drawings and construction. You can learn more about each of these phases here: https://www.yellowbirddesign.ca/blog/6wtndrmus29owz7nzk09hk5g45r4y7

Renovation timelines vary across the board, but as a minimum you should allow 6 weeks for the design process alone. Ideally minimizing the duration your business is closed for renovation by allowing adequate time to have an organized plan in place is the recipe for success.

5. Obtain Necessary Permits

Navigating the permit process can be unyielding and again, having the proper team in place can steer this path effectively. Improper applications or failing to apply all together can result in critical delays. Your team of consultants will be able to inform you which approvals your specific renovation will require.

6. Construction and Communication

Be prepared to maintain open lines of communication with all stakeholders involved. Your project manager should provide you with regular project updates of schedule, budget, and any site conditions they’ve encountered. These unexpected site conditions will inevitably happen and therefore it’s crucial to maintain involvement from the design team to be able to address these circumstances on the fly.

Conclusion

We hope you’ve enjoyed this comprehensive guide for commercial businesses embarking on a renovation, and we hope this helps you navigate the process with confidence. A well-executed checklist will set expectations in advance and lead to the success of a commercial renovation.

A Renovation Checklist: Setting the Foundation for Success