Best Time of Year to Repaint the Outside of Your Business

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
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.

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

Common Germ and Bacteria Hot Spots in Commercial Buildings

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
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.

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

Guide to Work Ethics and Professionalism for Commercial Custodians

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
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.

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

Top Strategies for Cutting Commercial Renovation Costs

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
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.

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

The Advantages of Commercial Engineered Wood Floors

If you are in the market for commercial hardwood flooring, you may want to consider engineered wood as an option. It is a popular mid to top-level flooring choice among business owners for various reasons. To find out if engineered hardwood flooring is right for your business, it is best to review its advantages and disadvantages, and then determine which factors on each side carry the most weight with you.

Continue reading to evaluate the most notable advantages, and a few possible disadvantages, of engineered hardwood flooring so you can make your choice for your commercial property.

Indianapolis Commercial Flooring Contractors 317-253-0531
Indianapolis Commercial Flooring Contractors 317-253-0531

Commercial Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered wood is not entirely hardwood, but mostly a wood product made with bonded wood fibers and adhesive veneer panels. It is manufactured using recycled veneers and woods from several types of tree subspecies. Engineered wood flooring is constructed with layers of plywood, and then finished off with a top veneer layer of real hardwood. This top layer is stained and treated just as any hardwood floor would be. The layer beneath the top hardwood ply is called the structural support core board. And the layers beneath that are called backing layers, used for stability.

Advantages of Engineered Wood Floors

The best advantage to installing engineered hardwood floors is the price points. Because it does not require an abundant amount of real solid hardwood, it is much cheaper all around. For anyone remodeling or renovating on a budget, but still desires the look AND feel of hardwood floors, this is a great cost-effective alternative.

Additional Advantages Include:

☑ EASY INSTALLATION
☑ HIGHLY DURABLE & STRONG
☑ EXCELLENT STABILITY
☑ LONG LIFE SPAN
☑ LOW MAINTENANCE
☑ MOISTURE & CLIMATE-RESISTANT
☑ INFINITE DESIGNS & STYLES
☑ LESS PRONE TO WARPING & WATER DAMAGE

A Few Potential Downfalls of Engineered Wood to Consider

The major drawback to engineered hardwood flooring is probably the thin layer of real hardwood veneer. Because it is so thin, it is more vulnerable to grooves, dents, and other forms of wear. This means it will most likely need to be replaced because engineered wood cannot be redone over and over again like solid hardwood floors. This is especially true for areas of the office or property with heavy foot traffic or vehicular traffic (forklifts, golf carts, etc.).

Aside from vulnerable veneers, engineered wood floors are susceptible to shape distortion. Although they are highly durable, their shape can distort overtime, and can even warp or twist. This means it will require some repairs after a while. Because they are not the best fit for all commercial buildings, be sure to take the professional advice of an Indianapolis commercial general contractor.

Indianapolis Commercial Flooring Contractors

Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for trusted commercial flooring repair and replacement in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding locations. Whether you are having commercial floors installed for a new business, or to revamp an existing one, we provide full-service, turnkey flooring installation for all commercial industries, including offices, retail stores, dance studios, medical facilities, apartments, warehouses, and all other varieties. Our commercial general contractors 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.

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