What You Need to Know About Hiring a Commercial Architect

What does a commercial architect really do? Well, a lot, which is why they do not come cheap. Centrally, commercial architects polish and perfect the total design and function of your commercial build. But here’s the catch: you may or may not need an architect for your commercial construction project. By understanding when you need one and when you don’t, you can potentially shave thousands of dollars off your bottom line.

Continue reading to learn what you need to know about hiring a commercial architect, including an all-inclusive option to commercial construction that may save you money at all ends of the spectrum!

Commercial Architect Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531
Commercial Architect Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531

Credentialed Designers are Not Cheap

Commercial architects, or credentialed designers, do not come at cheap price. For this reason, it is important to learn whether or not you actually need higher commercial architect for your project. When hiring a commercial architect, you can expect to spend anywhere between $50 and $250 per hour for their services. Other commercial architects charge by a set percentage of the total project cost, which average between 5% and 20%. Very few, but some commercial architects charge flat rate fees, which can be anywhere between $5,000 and $500,000 depending on the size and scope of the project. It is possible to negotiate fees with a commercial architectural company, but typically their pricing models are set in stone.

What Commercial Architects Do

Commercial architects are expensive because they are precision-trained in highly technical applications that have to do with building design, economics, and engineering. Not only will they design and draw up comprehensive blueprints, floorplans, or design specifications for your commercial construction build, but they will also take charge of other elements of the project, such as hiring a commercial contractor or subcontractors, as well as work with additional structural engineering teams and building authorities. They can also help with budget analysis cost foreseeability charts, and several other types of budgeting assistance. You can also expect a commercial architectural team to oversee the entire commercial construction build from start to finish.

Do You Need a Commercial Architect?

There are several advantages to hiring a commercial architect, making it entirely worth the cost of their services. Some of the most noted benefits of hiring a commercial architect for commercial construction build include cost efficiency and cost savings, smart structural problem solving, post-occupancy facility maintenance, feng shui design plans, ergonomic functionality, design innovation, and hassle-free commercial construction management.

Alternatives to Commercial Architectural Services

If the commercial architect is not a proper fit for your commercial construction project, you may trim construction costs by hiring a draftsman instead. They can draw up technical blueprints and floor plans at a more economical price. However, professional drafting contractors do not have the design and engineering expertise of a qualified commercial architect. So, for full frontal façade renovations or large-scale commercial construction projects, you would need a commercial architect rather than a drafting company.

The best way to cut costs on commercial construction build is to hire in Indiana commercial construction management service. Commercial construction management navigates all elements of a commercial build, from start to finish. This includes architectural engineering, blueprinting, design, building, and even post occupancy facility maintenance services.

Are you looking for an Indiana commercial construction company to help you with your upcoming build? Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 to speak with our esteemed commercial construction management teams about the commercial construction services we offer in Central Indiana.

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5 Ways to Deal With a Bad Commercial Contractor

A commercial contractor provides a much larger scale of remodeling and construction services, making their level of professionalism an essential element to a project’s overall success. Although you don’t want to make the mistake of hiring the wrong general contractor for your commercial construction needs, it does happen more often than you think. Fortunately, there are options for business owners or real estate developers who have hired an unreliable or dodgy contractor.

Continue reading to learn the top 5 avenues for dealing with a bad commercial contractor, as well as who to trust in Central Indiana for superior commercial general contracting services that never fail to exceed your expectations.

Commercial Construction Company 317-253-0531
Commercial Construction Company 317-253-0531

What To Do if You Hired a Bad Commercial Contractor

Hired a bad commercial contractor? Don’t let them get away with their unethical or unqualified practices. Your commercial construction project is a vital investment that should be nurtured and protected by a seasoned Indiana commercial construction general contractor. Here are your options for dealing with a shady or unprofessional commercial general contractor:

Terminate Them

Is your commercial contractor failing to meet even a basic standard of professionalism and service? If so, simply fire them. You are not obligated to keep the commercial general contractor on if they are not following through with their end of the bargain. To formally fire a commercial general contractor, you will likely need to draw up a document addressing their misconducts and notifying them of the termination. In some cases, a contractor may take a client to court stating that they’ve breached the contract. However, you can produce evidence showing that the contractor was the first party to breach the contract.

Request Arbitration or Mediation

Some commercial general contractor agreements contain binding arbitration clauses. You can request arbitration to discuss and dispute the inadequacies of your general contractor. A qualified independent authority will sit between the two parties, allow each side to present their case, and in the end make a legally-binding decision. Arbitration meetings are generally inexpensive.

If a binding arbitration clause is not included in your commercial general contractor agreement, you can request mediation services through the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which are usually free, or at least very cheap, plus you do not have to be a member; or you can request a similar type of court hearing in your presiding county.

Retain Legal Representation

If the situation evolves into something more complicated, it is recommended to hire a construction lawyer. Such civil litigators specialize in representing clients who have been cheated or conned by general contractors and construction companies. They are well-versed in the local laws and regulations within the construction and building industry, allowing them to find any inconsistencies or vulnerabilities that can be refuted in a contract. You can expect to pay anywhere from 100 and $300 an hour for construction lawyer services. For cases that are larger and more complex, such attorney fees can double or triple.

File in Small Claims Court

If you’re not interested in hiring a civil litigator for your matter, you can represent yourself in Small Claims Court. Generally, it only costs a few dollars to bring a case about in Small Claims Court. During a small claims hearing, both parties will have an opportunity to present their case, and in the end the judge will make a final decision. This recourse is generally reserved for smaller cases valued under $3,000. Successful parties are not likely to be awarded more than a few thousand dollars in Small Claims Court.

Make a Formal Complaint or Review

In all cases, regardless of which avenue you decide to take, you always have the option of making a formal complaint or writing a review online. Formal complaints are usually made within the company accused of misconduct. You may also file a formal complaint with the state’s Contractor Licensing Board. Online written reviews can be done in the comfort of your very own home on your very own computer or cell phone. Consider writing reviews on Angie’s list, Yelp, Google, and similar websites. Just be sure your reviews are truthful to avoid being sued for libel.

Are you looking for a trusted and respectable commercial general contracting company to perform your business remodeling or real estate development projects in Indiana? Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for superior commercial construction services in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties.

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A Brief Explanation of Cubic Yard Calculations

Imagine a box that is 1 yard high, 1 yard wide, and 1 yard deep. Now imagine that the space inside is filled with liquid. Right now, you are imagining the exact measurement of one cubic yard, it is the volume. Essentially, you can remember a cubic yard as a cube that measures 1 yard in all directions. If you are preparing for commercial construction work, such as carpentry, masonry, or general remodeling, it is important to understand cubic yard calculations.

Continue reading to learn how to measure cubic yards accurately, as well as some common materials typically measured using this system.

Indianapolis Commercial Architects and Builders 317-253-0531
Indianapolis Commercial Architects and Builders 317-253-0531

Facts About Cubic Yard Measurements

A cubic yard is the volume of space or mass that fits inside a space that measures one yard wide, by one yard deep, by one yard high. Cubic yards are used frequently to measure all sorts of materials. Some of the most common materials and projects measured in cubic yards include concrete, mulch, soil, compost, gardens, patios, pools, parking lots, and more.

How to Measure in Cubic Yards

In order to properly measure your needed materials in cubic yards, all dimensions must be converted into the same measurements first. Here are the basic increments you need to know to do this correctly:

▷ 1 Cubic Yard = 27 Cubic Feet (3’ x 3’ x 3’)
▷ 1 Cubic Yard = 46,656 Cubic Inches (36” x 36” x 36”)

Here’s an Example:

As an example of how to apply this math, imagine that you are on the market for enough concrete to fill a slab that is 6 inches thick, 12 feet long, and 12 feet wide. In order to calculate how much concrete mix you will need, you must first convert everything to a common dimension.

In this case, feet would work best. This means that 6 inches would convert to ½ a foot, or 0.5 feet, and the rest would stay the same. Then you would simply multiply all three values together to find the number of cubic feet, like this:

0.5 x 12 x 12 = 72 Cubic Feet

Continue by dividing the answer to the above equation (72 cu. ft.) by the number of cubic feet in a cubic yard (27 feet) to get the right amount of material you need in cubic yards, like this:

72 ÷ 27 = 2.67 Cubic Yards

So, you will need 2.67 Cubic Yards of concrete to fill your slab.

Hire a Commercial Construction Company for Precision Work

When it comes to remodeling your business, it is important to ensure that you are using precise specifications and top-quality materials. In order to achieve this level of superiority in the building and construction industry, it is wise to hire an Indiana commercial construction contractor before you even get started with planning.

Specialized commercial general contracting teams can provide space planning and permitting services, as well as preconstruction, designing, building, and even post-occupancy facility maintenance service. You can get an all-in-one package when you choose the right commercial construction company to hire.

Would you rather skip the hassle of searching for the best commercial construction company to navigate your business remodeling work? Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for trusted commercial construction services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We specialize in healthcare centers, offices and commercial use buildings, warehouses, and multi-housing complexes.

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Top Options for Soundproofing Commercial Floors

Whether a commercial floor restoration project is on your mind or you are preparing a new commercial construction build, consider installing soundproof flooring for a valuable and lucrative property upgrade. There are several options and methods for soundproofing floors, so it is best to discuss your property’s needs with a licensed commercial flooring contractor in Indianapolis who can provide recommendations and estimates specific to your property’s layout, functions, and overall business objectives.

Continue below to learn your top options for soundproofing commercial flooring, including which commercial general contracting company in Indiana to trust for superior results.

Commercial Flooring Indianapolis IN 317-253-0531
Commercial Flooring Indianapolis IN 317-253-0531

Soundproof Flooring for Commercial Properties and Businesses

It doesn’t take much thought to understand why commercial tenants and businesses want soundproof flooring. For multi-housing complexes, renters and buyers alike are looking to nullify the cumulative sounds of creaking floorboards, pattering feet, washing machines, television sets, and barking pups. Offices, medical centers, fitness studios, schools, arenas, and more all benefit from a quieter environment or sound barrier technology applications.

As a result of this increasingly present consumer demand in the real estate industry, soundproof flooring is becoming more of a standard in the structure, design, and build of apartment complexes, corporate offices, recording studios, and schools. Having commercial soundproof flooring can attract tenants and buyers within all of these industries and more.

Commercial Carpet Installation

If your commercial floors are engineered hardwood, concrete, laminate, tile, or some other type of hard-surfaced material, sound is embellished. Carpeting is much quieter, thus making it a sensible technique for soundproofing floors. Carpet is convenient because it is easy to install, usually taking anywhere between 3 and 8 hours depending on square-footage and existing flooring conditions.

Carpet is also cheaper, so it’s a cost-effective alternative to other soundproofing methods. If you wish to replace your flooring with hard-surface material, talk to your commercial general contractor about the sound ratings among different species of wood and types of manufactured wood materials.

Noise Cancellation Upgrades

In addition to replacing commercial hard floors with carpeting, you can heighten the level of noise cancellation by installing supplementary components in between the flooring and the sub-flooring to absorb sound. This includes using materials like cork or acoustic tiles. Cork is very dense, so just a thin layer is needed to absorb extra noise. Acoustic tiles are used in recording studios and large-space commercial properties because they are highly-effective noise-cancellation mechanisms. They are designed to dull echoes and reverberations and work well for floors too.

Alternative to Floor Replacement and Commercial Renovation

Sometimes replacing commercial flooring or remodeling a commercial building are not viable options. But there are still soundproofing options you can try, like placing area rugs and carpets in high-traffic areas, such as the main entrances and upper levels of your building, to soften noises from above. You can also consider wall and ceiling insulation upgrades, which can offer sound-proofing benefits.

Are you interested in improving the client or customer experience within your commercial building through strategic interior design and remodeling? Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for professional commercial general contractor services in Indianapolis Indiana. We serve clients all throughout the state.

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Leading Technology Applications for Senior Housing

As the world continues to evolve, our need for innovative technology is more apparent. This is especially true for senior population centers in Indianapolis, Indiana. Following the height of the recent pandemic, senior living establishments were in great need of increased healthcare security and protection. With that need came the adoption of these leading technological solutions.

Continue below to explore these technology applications and how you can incorporate them into your senior living center or nursing home remodeling project.

Senior Housing Construction Indianapolis IN 317-253-0531
Healthcare Construction and Remodeling Indiana 317-253-0531

Technology That Supports Health and Safety

There are various technologies that can be incorporated into a senior housing remodel or renovation to increase health and safety among elderly and staff. From touchless hands-free devices and robotic assistance to air quality systems, virtual programs, and more, it is evident that technology is becoming an essential element in the senior housing and medical care industry.

Current Tech Solutions and Applications in Senior Housing and Care Centers

Touchless Technology

The incorporation of touch-free design technology has really changed our world, both in the home and in business. As we all know, many illnesses and contagions are transmitted through surface contact, but touchless technology has provided a simple and dependable solution to avoiding service transmissions. Within the senior living industry, touchless technology has become an unparalleled solution to abating the spread of viruses, bacteria, and other transmissible infections that are commonly caught through surface contact.

Technologies like hands-free soap and sink faucets prevent seniors from having to touch dispensers and knobs to wash their hands, thus further protecting them from coming in contact with any bacteria or contagions. Additional types of touchless technologies applied in senior housing and care centers include automatic doors, automated hand sanitizer dispensers, motion sensor lighting, touchless elevators, and even artificial intelligence (AI) technologies that notify staff when rooms have exceeded a certain number of occupants.

HVAC and Air Quality Technology

Air quality is important to every living being, but for the elderly, it is especially important because many senior citizens struggle with upper respiratory implications or have lowered immune systems that render them more prone to illness and infection transmitted in the air. Not only is routine air duct cleaning and decontamination important for senior housing centers, but proper air filtration should always be a focus. Modern-day heating and cooling and air quality technologies that are being applied to senior care centers include medical grade air purifying systems and disinfection systems. They are also technologies that will detect dangerous air quality levels.

Virtual Technologies

Virtual healthcare, or telehealth, is one of the most advantageous technology applications for senior citizens and elderly living within a retirement or medical care center. Many doctor and healthcare appointments can be done virtually, allowing tenants, patients, and staff to communicate in a streamlined fashion without having to travel. This is especially beneficial for seniors who are disabled, severely immune suppressed, recovering from surgery or treatment, ill, or unable to make travel arrangements.

Are you a senior housing center proprietor or builder would like to incorporate some new technologies that aim to enhance health and safety? Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for specialized healthcare remodeling services in Indianapolis Indiana. We serve clients all throughout the state.

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What You Should Know About Signage Rights as a Commercial Tenant

Many in the industry would agree that branding is an essential, if not central, element to growing a successful business. One of the most effective and traditional methods of business branding is signage. Having the name and logo outside of your business is a valuable branding approach that influences potential consumers, plus retains the loyalty of your current clients.

But if you do not own your own building, your rights to signage may not be as clear cut as you would expect. As a commercial tenant interested in adding signage for your business, there are some important considerations you must keep in mind before signing a commercial lease or moving forward with signage procurement and installation.

Continue below to learn what you need to know about signage rights for commercial tenants.

Commercial Contractors Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531
Commercial Contractors Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531

Commercial Tenant Signage Rights

If you are a new or potential commercial tenant, it is important to understand that signage rights are not guaranteed. There are some commercial landlords that do not permit signage on the outside of their building or marque, and others that only allow signage within strict design and color restrictions for the purpose of uniformity.

It is also common for commercial landlords to have preexisting agreements with other tenants that impose a restriction of some kind on new tenants’ rights to business signage. In some cases, it is not up to the commercial landlord at all, as local zoning laws can also prohibit signage, or the amount of signage on or around buildings.

Negotiating Business Signage With a Commercial Landlord

Because the rights and perimeters of business signage are more complex for commercial tenants, it is wise to always inquire about business signage before signing a commercial lease. As a commercial tenant, you may be able to negotiate your signage rights if the current lease does not offer what you are looking for.

If you are already in a commercial lease, you can wait until your lease is up for renewal, and then have signage rights added to the lease. It is vital to have your negotiated or amended signage rights spelled out in writing in your lease agreement.

Common Types of Business Signage Arrangements:

Shared Building Signage

If a commercial building is shared by two tenants in equal ways, a landlord may agree to or permit a shared building signage system. With shared building signage, both commercial tenants can display their business signage on the building’s facade. This is a common signage arrangement in the commercial real estate industry.

Exclusive Building Signage

In some cases, a commercial landlord will agree to give a tenant exclusive building signage rights. This means that commercial tenant is the only business displayed on the outside of the building. This signage arrangement is most common in commercial buildings that only have one tenant or space for one tenant.

Exclusive Monument Signage

Many commercial buildings have monument signs on the outside of the parking lot or street. In such leases, it is common for landlords and tenants to adopt an exclusive monument signage arrangement. This would permit the tenant to display their business signage as a stand-alone sign or within the monument signage out front. This is most commonly reserved for key commercial tenants.

Are you looking for a trusted commercial general contractor to help you plan out your upcoming business move or redesign? Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for superior commercial general contracting services in Indianapolis, Indiana.We serve commercial and industrial clients all throughout the state.

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General Contractor Advice on Building a New Commercial Space

Are you an ambitious real estate developer preparing to construct a new commercial space here in Indiana? Before getting started on your promising entrepreneurial endeavor, continue reading for some critical general contractor advice on building a new commercial space, including who to trust for superior commercial construction services near you.

Commercial General Contractors Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531
Commercial General Contractors Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531

Top Factors for Constructing a New Commercial Building

The top five elements you should be placing your focus on right now in preparation for a build-out or new construction project are as follows: your budget, your potential space, references for commercial general contracting company, a written commercial construction estimate, and relevant municipality requirements or regulations.

Budgeting

Budget is the foundation for your commercial build. Your budget analysis and planning will set the tone for your commercial construction project. You must consider your overall vision. Do you have enough capital to make your vision come to life? It is important to be pragmatic when setting a budget for your commercial construction or build-out.

If leasing an existing commercial space, you want to consider mandatory or hidden costs prior to signing the commercial lease, as well as any future expenses you might incur. A professional commercial general contracting company can assist you with comprehensive budget analysis and cost foreseeability evaluations to ensure that your vision and available capital lineup.

Commercial Space Planning

Your next focus is commercial space planning. Building from the ground up will have a separate set of considerations compared to leasing an existing commercial space and building it out to retrofit your business’s needs. Either way, it is important to ensure that your space will be structured and designed specifically to meet the needs of your businesses function and overall culture.

Your trusted commercial general contractor can ensure that your new commercial space is both functional and culturally sincere, while also flexible for future expansions. In fact, commercial space planning and permitting are often a prime service offered by construction companies.

General Contractor References

As you might already understand, the commercial construction company you choose will have a significant impact on the outcome of your project. For this reason, it is vital to ensure you are choosing a superior commercial general contracting company to build your new commercial space or retrofit an existing one. One way you can ensure you are choosing the right company is to request general contractor references. References help you understand a contractor’s scope of capabilities and professionalism.

Written Construction Estimates

It is important to always request and receive a comprehensive and itemized written estimate from your commercial general contractor. As we all know, having things in writing is the best way to maintain an equal and transparent understanding between two parties in a contract. One way you can tell you were working with a true professional in the industry is if they offer detailed written estimates, require itemized written estimates from subcontractors, and have no problem examining all estimates line by line with you.

Municipality Requirements

All municipalities have commercial construction requirements, building code standards, permitting laws, and similar regulations. A good commercial construction company will have the knowledge and resources to confirm these requirements prior to breaking ground on any type of project, whether a new construction build or commercial build-out.

Furthermore, most municipalities will require detailed written plans and architectural drawings before any construction can take place. Reputable commercial general contractors and construction companies will prepare these blueprints ahead of time, which allows them to provide more accurate estimates.

Are you looking for a professional commercial construction company in Indiana to get you started with a new build or build-out? Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for superior commercial general contracting services in Indianapolis, Indiana.We serve commercial and industrial clients all throughout the state.

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Who Pays For a Commercial Interior Build-Out?

Are you preparing to start a new business and need commercial space? Or are you a current business owner looking to relocate your company? Either way, you will likely be in need of a commercial interior build out. After all, commercial space doesn’t come ready and equipped to support your business’s specific operational needs.

Continue below to learn what you need to know about interior build out tenant improvements, including a financial responsibility breakdown that explains who pays for what.

Commercial Interior Build Out Indianapolis IN 317-253-0531
Commercial Interior Build Out Indianapolis IN 317-253-0531

What is a Commercial Interior Build Out?

Commercial interior build-outs are also referred to in the industry as tenant improvements (TI) or commercial leasehold improvements. When you are on the market for a new commercial space, it is very rare to find one that meets all of your needs. From interior design and structure to power fittings, mechanical systems, and more, the majority of commercial spaces require some extent of renovation to personalize the space for the new commercial tenant. This type of commercial renovation is known as an interior build out.

Financial Responsibility Analysis

When it comes to commercial interior build-outs, you might be wondering if the landlord is financially responsible. Since there are many ways for a commercial tenant and landlord to delegate financial responsibility between them in the case of TI improvements, the answer to this inquiry varies depending on many factors.

Here are some possible scenarios on how a commercial interior build-out is financially covered:

If the landlord believes that the new tenant will be a significant asset and bring in more value than other potential tenants, they may cover the entire cost of the interior build out. They may do so by paying the Indiana commercial general contracting company directly or reimbursing the tenant at the completion of the project. Most often, tenants are reimbursed. This protects the landlord from a tenant who changes their mind after the renovations are done.

In another possible scenario, the landlord and tenant might decide to share the leasehold improvement costs a specified ratio. There are a few ways they do this. A landlord can include a tenant improvement allowance in the commercial lease based on square footage, and any renovation costs that exceed that allowance are the tenant’s responsibility. Or the landlord might offer a reduced rent fee or free rent for a specified period of time. These are referred to as rent-concessions.

Are you looking for a qualified and experienced commercial general contractor to deliver an exceptional interior build out within your TI allowance or budget? Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for superior commercial remodeling and tenant improvements in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve clients all throughout the state. Request information or schedule a bid, today.

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