What to Consider Before Buying a Distressed Commercial Asset

Posted on October 9, 2020 by bafcorp20

In today’s economic condition, the real estate market might look pretty good to perusing proprietors. And foreclosed homes are not the only listings being picked over quickly. Right now, there are several real estate-owned (REO) distressed commercial assets on the market that are listed well below market average as a result of this year’s economic unknowns. A distressed commercial asset might be a foreclosed or condemned commercial property, or even a stalled commercial project that never got the funding needed to reach completion.

Either way, as a serious proprietor, it is important to look beyond the marveling price tag of an REO distressed commercial asset before moving forward with the procurement process.

Commercial General Contracting Preconstruction Services for Central Indiana 317-253-0531

REO Commercial Preconstruction Services are Essential

Several Indiana restaurants, retail stores, hotels, multi-story resident housing, and more, have all been left unfinished, condemned, or otherwise shutdown, due to economic downfalls and similar setbacks. So right now, there are a large number of REO commercial properties listed for a very cheap price. But that does not mean you should just jump right into a buying deal.

Before buying a stalled commercial project or distressed asset that you wish to bring back to life, you need to hire a commercial general contractor who specializes in Central Indiana preconstruction services. They have the experience, acumen, and resources to determine whether or not the cost of the property, plus the cost of the needed construction, makes sense for your overall business objectives and monetary goals.

Further Considerations to Add to Your List

You will need to collaborate with your chosen Indianapolis commercial general contracting team to pinpoint specific elements of the prospective property or asset. Here are some questions to go over:

What was the original intention or building plan for the property by the previous proprietor or developer? Do you have access to the original architectural drawings or blueprints?

How far along is the project? Is it far enough done that it makes sense to complete it? Or is it in early enough stages that a new plan can take its place?

Does the property come with any owed construction costs, such as building code extension penalties or subcontractor liens?

Are there previous subcontractors that worked on the property and know it well-enough to be an asset to your current team?

How secure is the property? Is it safe? Are there electrical concerns or utility issues? Wild water? Frozen pipes or valves?

Is the REO commercial landlord the same one as before? Is all paperwork intact? Is everything paid to date?

Will the municipality permit construction on a stalled or distressed commercial project? Are there fees and costs to be paid? Jurisdiction red tape? Will building permits need to be updated or acquired?

Who Will I Hire for Superior Commercial Preconstruction Service in Indianapolis, Indiana?

Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for trusted office and preconstruction services in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding locations. Why choose the esteemed and accomplished commercial general contractors at BAF? Our unique and concentrated approach to commercial preconstruction service safeguards your project’s end result, which ultimately protects your investment and enhances your business’s overall value and function. Call our office today to discuss your commercial construction needs, today. We serve corporate, commercial, and industrial industries in Indianapolis, and throughout Central Indiana. Request free information or to schedule a consultation, anytime.

Indianapolis Commercial General Contracting and Design Build Services — Contact Us Today 317-253-0531

Best Time of Year to Repaint the Outside of Your Business

Posted on October 5, 2020 by bafcorp20

If you’ve been meaning to have the exterior of your building or business repainted, but still have not got around to it, you may be concerned that you may have missed your window of opportunity now that fall is here. However, your concerns might all be for nothing. Continue reading to learn when the recommended exterior painting season is for commercial buildings, and whether or not you still have time this year to get the project done.

Indianapolis Commercial Paint and Drywall Contractors 317-253-0531

Fall is a Suitable Time of Year to Paint a Building

Prime exterior painting season varies from state to state because it mostly depends on climate. Here in Indiana, most painting jobs are performed between the months of May and August, when temperatures are warm, and precipitation is low. In conditions like these, paint cures much faster. In fact, for a long time, paint manufacturers recommended to perform jobs in temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, which would usually extend the painting timeline to September. However, new innovative paint technology now allows us to paint building exteriors even later in the year.

Innovative Exterior Paint Technologies

New innovative paint technologies and products are specially-formulated to be applied in weather as cold as 35 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that you still have time to have the outside of your business or commercial building painted this year. Generally, Indiana temperatures will drop lower than 35 degrees Fahrenheit around the end of November, which gives you a little more time to have your building repainted. This is especially good news for proprietors who have just purchased an existing commercial property or business that needs renovated before opening for operation.

How to Find the Right Commercial-Use Exterior Paint

Only certain exterior paint products are specially formulated to be applied in cooler climates, making it quite important to choose the right ones for the job. Fortunately, this is not your job. A professional Indiana commercial general contractor specializing in commercial painting and drywall work will have all the resources needed to select and acquire such products. Leave it to them to choose the right paint for your commercial property.

Indianapolis Commercial Construction Painting and Drywall Contractors

Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for trusted commercial painting and drywall services in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding locations. Our commercial painting and drywall contractors provide a wide range of drywall installation and repairs, as well as, interior and exterior painting services, such as high-performance coatings, level 5 finishing, texturing, and high quality paint applications. We also providing exterior painting services for commercial siding, including metal, vinyl, wood, and laminate.

Common Germ and Bacteria Hot Spots in Commercial Buildings

Posted on October 2, 2020 by bafcorp20

Virtually all commercial buildings that serve or host human beings will have germs and bacteria somewhere, or possibly everywhere. The presence of germs and bacteria in a communal space, such as an office building or medical facility, are basically inevitable. However, the good news is that they can all be abated with some simple preventative maintenance, a little knowledge, and extra precaution. Now more than ever, these responsibilities are critical.

The approach to take in order to combat germ and bacteria exposure to your staff and/or clientele will include everything from proper cleaning, sanitizing, and self-care, to simply knowing which areas are the “germiest”, and how to handle these germ-infested hot spots around the office or building.

Continue reading to learn what all this means, and which public areas are known to carry the most germs and bacteria that can cause illness and allergies.

Indianapolis Commercial Building Renovations 317-253-0531

Here are the areas of a public building or complex that statistically contains the highest levels of germs and bacteria:

☑ Touch Points

Touch points are areas of a building that are regularly touched or handled by patrons, guests, visitors, customers, or residents. Areas like stair rails, doorknobs, light switches, door handles, faucet handles, keyboards, phone buttons, elevator buttons, and more, are all predictable hot spots for spreading germs and bacteria. It is wise to use hand sanitizer or wash your hands thoroughly after touching or handling any areas like the ones just mentioned. Right now, commercial proprietors are making certain commercial renovations to reduce surface touching areas, such as touch-free technologies and similar environmental modifications.

☑ Countertops

Offices, retail stores, and several other types of commercial buildings are very likely to have checkout lanes, restrooms, break rooms, kitchens, cafés, and other areas that have countertop space. Many people are unaware of how much germs and bacteria are on these surfaces. Food, drink, product, and more, are handled at these stations, and this is where the bacteria growth arises. Keeping countertops cleaned and sanitized can drastically reduce the number of germs and bacteria. Always use hand sanitizer or wash your hands after touching public countertops, whether in a restaurant, bathroom, coffee bar, brochure station, or reception desk.

☑ Desks

On the topic of hard surfaces like countertops, desks are also among the germiest places in a public or commercial environment. Hands, food, hair, briefcases, purses, lunch bags, and more touch desktops all day long. And very few people wipe, clean, or even clear their workspace or desk regularly. This houses germs and bacteria that can cause common colds, flus, and other illnesses. Keeping disposable cleansing wipes at a desk is a quick and effective way to reduce the buildup of germs and bacteria.

☑ Floors

There is not much to explain here. It is obvious that floors contain loads of dirt, soil, germs, bacteria, and much more. Whatever is walked upon outside or in the restroom, is surely brought inside on shoes to some degree. Long story short: wipe off anything that falls or touches the ground!

☑ Refrigerators

Communal refrigerators and microwaves are also big hotspots for germs and bacteria, but also for mold and mildew growth. All of these things can implicate a person’s health in many ways. It is important to keep community or office refrigerators clean and wiped down, regularly. This prevents mold growth, bacteria, and more.

Commercial Building Renovations That Will Enhance Health and Safety

Consider renovating your current commercial building or office space to incorporate some innovative modifications that will reduce the spread of germs and bacteria. Some current, popular options include copper surfaces, hands-free phones and ear sets, automatic doors, touch-free hand soap dispensers, automatic hand sanitizer dispensers, ionized air conditioning technology, recycling shoots and compactors, and even solar energy applications. In fact, see our blogs, “Touch-Free Design Suggestions for Commercial Buildings and Businesses” to learn more options.

Choose BAF Corp for Your Commercial Renovations in Indianapolis, Indiana

Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for superior commercial renovations in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our skilled and experienced commercial general contractors can help you decide which roofing option and course of action is best for your office or building. We serve all corporate, commercial, and industrial industries in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding districts. Call today to request free information or to schedule a consultation.

Why Many Commercial Proprietors are Choosing Prefabricated Metal Buildings

Posted on September 28, 2020 by bafcorp20

As a business or commercial property owner, your options for building a new structure are quite broad. However, many real estate owners are discovering a new way to build an edifice that delivers an unparalleled level of convenience, budget adherence, and schedule obedience. Prefabricated metal buildings are taking a lead in the real estate construction industry. The construction process for everything from retail stores and warehouses, to barns, sheds, and airport hangars, is immensely accelerated with the option of using a pre-fab building.

Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of choosing pre-engineered metal building construction, and where to find a commercial construction metal building contractor near you.

Indiana Commercial Construction General Contractors 317-253-0531

Noted Advantages of Pre-Fab Buildings

☑ Cost Savings

Pre-fabricated metal buildings deliver notable cost savings in comparison to conventional new construction budgets. You see, such metal buildings are engineered at a manufacturing company, and then assembled onsite. As a result, it is possible for construction time and labor to be reduced by up to 50%, which ultimately cuts costs.

☑ Accelerated Timelines

Since less labor and construction is needed when using a pre-engineered metal building, time and labor is greatly reduced. As a result, the entire process is accelerated. Not only does a prefabricated metal building reduce the time it takes to complete a construction project, it expedites each stage if the process, delivering optimal efficiency and success.

☑ Optimal Safety

A pre-engineered metal building can also offer improved safety. This is because steel is a strong and reliable building material that provides long term protection against inclement weather, natural elemental wear and tear, increased traffic, nuisance wildlife interference, and more.

☑ Design Versatility

Steel retains a lower melting point and higher malleability, giving metal fabricators a wide variety of options for customization. So, prefabricated metal buildings can be customized and designed to meet the exact needs of a commercial construction project or real estate plan. Furthermore, because pre-fab buildings are not complete, they offer a blank canvas for a builder.

Industries and businesses that greatly benefit from pre-fab metal structures:

✔ Retail Stores
✔ Warehouses
✔ Factories
✔ Garages
✔ Churches
✔ Offices
✔ Schools
✔ Equestrian Stables
✔ Airplane Hangers

Trusted Metal Building Contractors in Indianapolis, Indiana

Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for trusted metal building commercial construction in Central Indiana. Our skilled and experienced commercial general contractors deliver a streamlined construction process that meets all defined engineering and design specifications, procurement, schedules, and budgets. We serve all corporate, commercial, and industrial industries in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding districts. Call today to request free information or to schedule a consultation.

Why You Should Power Wash Your Commercial Building This Fall

Posted on September 24, 2020 by bafcorp20

Roofing and siding are two major components of your commercial building exterior that require routine inspections, regular maintenance, and annual cleaning. Neglecting these tasks might lead to premature roof and siding replacement, and even collateral damages, thus requiring you to remodel other areas of your commercial property, such as the foundation, flooring, windows, doors, drywall, electrical systems, and more. This is the principle reason why proprietors are strongly encouraged to pressure wash the exterior of their building at least once a year. And Fall is the perfect time to get it done.

Not only will seasonal pressure washing service remove all of the caked on pollen, bird droppings, angiosperms, and dead insects accumulated over the spring and summer, temperatures milder and weather is more predictable, making the entire task easier and more effective. Continue reading to learn why you should plan to have your commercial building pressure washed this fall, and where to get started with a professional bid near you.

Indianapolis Commercial General Contracting Services 317-253-0531

Commercial Property Management and Maintenance

Commercial buildings, and any other structures located their premises, require routine maintenance in order to sustain an appealing and professional-looking property. This is especially important for medical facilities and healthcare centers, as well as, corporate offices, retail stores, and brick-and-mortar businesses that provide a service, like restaurants, bars, spas, gyms, hotels, and movie theaters.

Whether you are a service-oriented business, factory, delivery center, warehouse, or office complex, having subpar curb appeal can instantly reduce its perceived value, both from a client’s point of view and a potential buyer. And did you know that one of the very first features that customers see when they approach your business’s complex is the exterior roof and siding?

Similar to the old (and a little pejorative) saying, “you can assess a man’s wealth by his watch and shoes,” roof and siding often speak directly to the character of the business or building’s value, in an outsider’s point of view. In addition to roofing and siding, other surfaces require regular pressure washing, including windows, doors, pavements, decks, patios, walkways, and more. Otherwise, you might also face premature commercial window repair and replacement, commercial door repair and replacement, and more.

Here are the top reasons why commercial power washing is so vital to the overall value and success of a business or commercial establishment:

▶ Maximized Curb Appeal

The very first and most obvious advantage to routine power washing is the immediate aesthetic benefits. It delivers instant curb appeal, much like washing your care; it just looks better right away. Maintaining the structural integrity of siding on a building is necessary in order to sustain its luster and appeal, and increase its lifespan. When siding is neglected, overtime the color will fade, weaken, and eventually deteriorate. These consequences will leave a building more vulnerable to harsh weather, environmental elements, nuisance wildlife, and more.

▶ Optimal Safety and Liability Protection

Another principle reason to pressure wash your roofing and siding is for the purpose of safety and protection, not just for your guests and clientele, but also for the sake of your investment. Owning a building is not cheap, nor is it a light responsibility. It is a serious investment that requires an acute degree of knowledge, commitment, and protection. Furthermore, if someone were to get injured on your commercial premises as a result of neglected facility maintenance or exterior care, you could be legally liable for their subsequent damages and losses.

▶ Long-Term Investment Protection

In addition to client and investment protection, aesthetic and structural protection is necessary to a building’s overall lifespan. If a building’s exterior is neglected, overtime it will become damaged and deteriorated. This can drastically reduce a property’s value, which can cost a building owner hundreds of thousands of dollars. Regular roof and siding cleaning can provide the ample preventative maintenance needed to protect your investment, increase your building’s lifespan, and reduce the likelihood of needed siding and roof restorations down the road.

▶ Hygiene and Immune Safety

Hygiene and immune safety are an important factor to owning and maintaining a commercial property, especially in the current pandemic we are experiencing. So, it is important that a building is clean and safe for visitors, guests, customers, and employees alike. Power washing is necessary to remove mold growth, pest infestations (termites, ants, etc.), dirt, pollen, dander, germs, bacteria, and more. Eliminating these threats not only increases the strength and durability of a building’s exterior, it also safeguards everyone’s health. In fact, many healthcare facilities are opting for touch-free design to abate the spread of transmissible diseases and germs.

Commercial General Contracting and Facility Maintenance in Indiana

Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for professional commercial general contracting and facility maintenance services in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding areas. Our building maintenance programs are guaranteed to preserve and improve function, utility, and ultimately, value. We serve all corporate, commercial, and industrial industries, and can get you started with a consultation as soon as today!

Guide to Work Ethics and Professionalism for Commercial Custodians

Posted on September 21, 2020 by bafcorp20

Custodians are required to demonstrate the same level of professionalism as all other professionals in a service-oriented industry. So, when your hire a custodial service for your business or commercial building, you expect a certain level of professionalism. Not only are janitors expected to meet all standards for professionalism, including trust and responsibility, they are also expected to practice good work ethic. Janitorial staffs must be honest, career-driven professionals who can be trusted with certain responsibility, all while delivering quality service. This includes customer service and communication with business owners or managers.

All of these professional attributes are especially important for after-hours, or overnight cleaning crews. Integrity, trust, responsibility, and quality work are among the most important standards of excellence and professionalism for a custodial team. As a commercial business or property owner, maintaining the quality and performance of your building are all important to the overall success of your business. And your cleaning crews are a part of that path toward success. By choosing a qualified and trusted team of custodians, you can feel confident that your business will operate smoothly, and continue to speak to the culture of your company.

Continue reading for a guide to the basic worth ethic expectations and level of professionalism you should be looking for when hiring a janitorial service.

Indianapolis Commercial Remodeling and Facility Maintenance 317-253-0531

Quality Work

Although integrity and trust are important values for janitors, their value starts with the quality of their work, including their work habits. Janitors must be on-time, neatly-dressed, and ready to work for every shift. Good custodial crews have perfect attendance. This accountability is a significant part of professionalism. Aside from punctuality, janitors must follow the customized cleaning plan and agenda laid out by the company. They must follow all orders and perform all tasks to the best of their ability without cutting corners; and they must do this all within the scheduled time period.

Customer Service

Janitors are also responsible for listening and communicating customer complaints. They should be trained to provide professional customer service when building patrons or employees make certain requests or report maintenance issues. They should behave as any other representative of the company, as if they were an employee themselves. Then all complaints and requests should be efficiently communicated to their point of contact in order to get further instruction. Often times, the most professional janitorial crews will go above and beyond, taking care of small matters on their own without having to be told what to do. This is a major part of professionalism in the custodial industry.

Trust and Liability

Since many janitorial crews work without supervision, and often times, during after-hours of a business, trust and responsibility are a significant part of professionalism as well. An honest and hard-working janitorial staff is the staff that exhibits what work ethic should be in the field. Being punctual, neatly-dressed, fully-equipped, and ready to perform all duties on time is the key expectations of custodians.

Commercial Remodeling and Facility Maintenance in Indianapolis, Indiana

Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for trusted commercial construction services and facility maintenance in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding locations. Our skilled and experienced commercial general contractors will revitalize your commercial building in an efficient timeframe, getting you back in business faster, and better than before! We serve all corporate, commercial, and industrial industries in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding districts. Call today to request free information or to schedule a consultation.

The Importance of Commercial Space Planning Service

Posted on September 18, 2020 by bafcorp20

When you hire a commercial general contractor and architect, they have one objective in mind: to bring your vision to life through innovative and creative design solutions. Because every commercial construction client has their own unique needs, their space must be specifically designed to meet these needs, including representing the business’s overall culture and creed. In the commercial general contracting industry, we call this service space planning, it is a critical step to opening the doors of your new commercial business or property.

Continue reading to learn why space planning is so important, including how it can set the path for a future of success.

Indianapolis Commercial Space Planning 317-253-0531

Commercial Space Planning Basics

Commercial space planning is more than just interior design for a business. There is a lot more to the space planning phase of the commercial construction process than just fabrics and furnishings. A business’s space must be strategically mapped out, constructed, and organized to deliver a streamlined operation, promote staff productivity, and support efficiency in terms of cost, energy, and labor. With all that being said, let’s take a closer look at what commercial space planning services are all about.

Space planning organizes all aspects of a business’s interior design and operation, from furniture and lighting, to load bearing walls, space dividers, walkways, communal areas, ergonomics, and more. By implementing a perfected space planning design, your business can enjoy higher staff and client retention, which means more money in your pocket at the end of each quarter! In fact, there are many more aspects of space planning than just the interior layout and function. Commercial general contractors will also manage needs like land acquisition, site evaluations, construct-ability reviews, permits, building codes, audits, security, and more.

Here are some common commercial space planning services you can expect from an established and professional construction company:

✏ ZONING AND PERMITS
✏ SITE SELECTION/EVALUATION
✏ PRECONSTRUCTION
✏ COMMUNITY DUE DILIGENCE
✏ LAND ACQUISITION
✏ ECONOMIC INCENTIVE INQUIRIES
✏ FEASIBILITY STUDIES
✏ CONSTRUCT-ABILITY REVIEWS
✏ SITE AUDITS
✏ SITE ENTITLEMENTS
✏ FINANCIAL ANALYSIS/STRUCTURING

Why Choose Space Planning Services for Your New Business Location?

Overall, commercial space planning is the most thoughtfully-organized approach to designing and building a new location for your business. This approach delivers an entire resume of benefits, including cost-efficiency, budget control, and an overall competitive advantage, all of which allows you to utilize your commercial space for a higher return on investment.

Indianapolis Commercial Space Planning Contractors You Can Trust

Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for trusted commercial space planning and permitting in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding locations. Our skilled and experienced commercial general contractors deliver a streamlined construction process that meets all defined engineering and design specifications, procurement, schedules, and budgets for your commercial office space or business. Call today to request free information or to schedule a consultation.

Top Strategies for Cutting Commercial Renovation Costs

Posted on September 15, 2020 by bafcorp20

Your commercial renovation is arguably one of the most important projects of your life, that is, if you consider it something that will perpetuate your business’s success and overall profit margins. However, the degree of importance does not have to impact the cost of remodeling your commercial space. In fact, there are some effective and simple ways to actually save money during the commercial construction process.

Continue reading for some of the top-recommended strategies for cutting commercial renovation costs, including how to get started with a trusted bid in Indianapolis.

Indianapolis Commercial Renovations 317-253-0531

Ways to Make Your Commercial Remodel More Cost Efficient

Your commercial remodel should render you the best possible return on investment. Accordingly, it should not break the bank, bur rather, be cost efficient. In order to achieve your imagined results for your commercial renovation, all without over-spending, you will need to educate yourself on some important business remodeling tips and tricks. The top 5 strategies for saving money during a remodel are detailed below.

✒Hire a Commercial General Contracting Company

The most effective strategy for optimizing the cost efficiency of your business’s remodel is to retain the services of a licensed and insured Indianapolis commercial general contracting team. These professionals are the astute experts you need to plan, manage, and facilitate the remodeling project at each individual step. So, the first task you should do is hire a commercial construction company. From there, they will assist you with the remaining decision-making process.

✒ Set a Realistic Budget

Your budget does matter when it comes to commercial renovation work. Not only do you need to set a budget right from the start, which many business owners fail to do, you need to make sure it is realistic. Your appointed commercial general contractor will work with you to develop a budget that makes sense for your renovation. They have the industry knowledge, and will use professional resources, such as economic incentive studies and constructability reviews, to implement a budget analysis and come up with a workable plan.

✒ Do Not Veer From the Plan

An important rule of thumb for commercial renovations is to develop a plan and stick to it, regardless of what comes your way. Veering from your plan after it is made can lead to unforeseen obstacles, lengthy delays, unexpected infrastructure or facility problems, and worst of all, additional expenses. Furthermore, having a plan in place tactically maps out a strategy to protect people, environments, assets, and the overall brand, in the case of an emergency.

✒ Reuse and Recycle

We all know that recycling and repurposing waste is a great initiative for our local economies, as well as our planet as a whole. But when it comes to a commercial renovation, recycling and reusing can be an effective way to cut costs and save money. Consider refurbishing or repurposing HVAC systems, flooring, bathroom plumbing, window openings/framing, and furniture. Consider recycling scrap metal and leftover construction materials for cash reimbursement. Some metal scrappers will pay cash for old or leftover building materials made from metal, such as beams, tubing, piping, and more.

Certified Commercial General Contractors in Central Indiana

Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for trusted commercial construction services in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding locations. Our skilled and experienced commercial general contractor teams deliver a streamlined process that meets all defined engineering and design specifications, procurement, schedules, and budgets. We serve all corporate, commercial, and industrial industries in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding districts. Call today to request free information or to schedule a consultation.

How to Decide Between Commercial Window Replacement and Repair

Posted on September 11, 2020 by bafcorp20

It is in your budget’s best interest to evaluate your window service needs before making any impulsive purchasing decisions. Many commercial property owners make the mistake having their window systems replaced, when in fact, a simple repair would have done the job. More often, commercial window retailers will impose the idea that a building owner requires all new windows with the promise of boosted energy efficiency, curb appeal, and other similar selling points. Although new windows certainly deliver these advantages and more, it is not necessary to have them replaced prematurely. After all, if windows were not repairable, commercial property owners would be faced with the possibility of replacing one every time one incurs just a little damage.

Continue reading to learn what you need to know about deciding between window repair and window replacement for your commercial property.

Commercial Window Repair and Replacement 317-253-0531

Window Rot

Window rot is often caused by moisture, mold, and a variety of other elements. Fortunately, if you have a rot condition, it can be repaired. Just be sure to hire a professional commercial window contractor for the job. Although you can implement an initial inspection to assess the conditions and appearance of your windows, a professional will be able to repair window rot, jammed sashes, and broken window parts. Keep in mind that window rot is not always repairable. There are times when the rot is so extensive that replacement is the best option. For this reason, it is important to detect moisture issues and water leaks under window frames early on.

Jammed Window Sashes

Jammed window sashes are very common problems, especially for old buildings that have been remodeled once or twice. Fortunately, this common problem is usually easy to fix, even on your own. If your window does not open easily, or seems to jam often, try rubbing a white candle on the bottom and the sides of the window. If this remedy doesn’t allow the frame to slide effortlessly through the window channels, it may be painted shut. In the case that it is painted shut, take a box knife, or razor, blade to the seam to wedge it open. You can also use a sash saw.

Energy Efficiency Decline

Many people assume that older windows are no longer as energy efficient as they once were. For some cases, this is true. But often times, older windows can still be just as energy efficient if you have them serviced by a licensed commercial general contractor. Instead of buying new windows to improve your building’s energy efficiency, a professional can apply caulk and weather seal your windows to prevent air from escaping or moisture getting inside. Most often, the old caulk is removed and replaced with fresh caulk. Also, installing screen and storm windows can increase a property’s insulation and is much cheaper than replacing windows entirely.

Commercial Window Repair and Replacement Services in Indianapolis

Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for trusted commercial window repair and replacement services in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding locations. Our skilled and experienced commercial general contractors deliver a streamlined construction process that meets all defined engineering and design specifications, procurement, schedules, and budgets. We serve all corporate, commercial, and industrial industries in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding districts. Call today to request free information or to schedule a consultation.

Commercial Smoke Detector Installation Tips You Should Take

Posted on September 7, 2020 by bafcorp20

With all the recent wildfire devastation taking place on the other side of the country, it is wise to review your commercial fire safety codes and systems for Indiana. One of the most basic and life-saving devices your commercial property or office should have is a smoke alarm. There are two main types of smoke detector technologies accepted today: ionization smoke alarms and photoelectric smoke alarms.

Continue reading to learn about each type of smoke detecting device, as well as, the general rule of thumb for installing smoke detection systems in your commercial building.

Indianapolis Commercial General Contracting 317-253-0531

How Smoke Alarms Work

Photoelectric smoke alarms use light coupled with a sensor to detect smoke. When smoke enters the chamber, it causes the light to scatter, which triggers the alarm to ring. In contrast, ionization smoke alarms are designed containing a minor amount of radioactive material that ionizes the space between two electrically charged plates, which then stimulates a current to flow between them. When smoke enters the chamber of the device, the current that keeps the ions flowing becomes disrupted, which sets off the alarm.

U.S. Fire Administration Recommendation

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, nearly 96% of all commercial buildings have ionization smoke alarm systems. However, they strongly recommended to have both types of alarms installed in your commercial property or office. That is because they each use a specific technology that detects different types of smoke and fire, giving you a faster alert and reaction rate. For instance, photoelectric smoke alarms are good at detecting smoldering fires, while ionization smoke alarms react faster to the smoke produced by flaming fires.

Tips for Smoke Detector Installation

You can purchase two different types of smoke alarm systems, but you also have the option of choosing a dual sensor smoke detector with both ionization and photoelectric technology. Once you have your chosen smoke detectors, you are ready to install them. If you are not familiar with handyman work, it is recommended to hire a licensed commercial general contractor in Indianapolis for help ensuring your systems are installed properly and up to code.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) suggests that a smoke alarm should be installed in every occupational room or area of a commercial building or business, as well as, outside of each enclosed room, on every level or floor, and even in basements and lower levels of the building. On the main floors where there are enclosed rooms or offices, smoke alarms should be installed in a central space, as well as, the near the stairs to the upper and lower levels of the buildings. Elevators must also be equipped with smoke alarm devices.

For smoke alarms that are designed for wall mounting, be sure to install them high on the wall, but no more than a foot away from the ceiling. Ceiling smoke alarms should be strictly used for ceilings only. Avoid mounting smoke detectors within 36 inches of hot kitchen appliances or machinery in order to prevent false alerts. Furthermore, do not install them near doors, windows, or vents, since air currents can interrupt the devices ability to detect smoke or fire.

A very important rule of thumb that is also strongly recommended by the NFPA is to have all your smoke alarms interconnected; this way, when one is set off, all others are set off at the same time, thus increasing reaction times. This can be done either by hardwiring or wireless technology. If you are unfamiliar with how to do this, it is suggested to hire a professional commercial facility maintenance contractor for help installing your smoke detector systems in your commercial building.