5 Design Tips to Improve the Success of Your Retail Store

When your retail store is not seeing the level of traffic and profit that you first set out to achieve, it is time to find a better way of marketing your goods and products. Making some simple design and layout modifications can deliver instant gratification on both of these fronts, and bring your business back to life.

Continue reading to learn 5 ways you can optimize the design and layout of your retail store to improve your overall revenue success.

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

Modern Retail Store Design Tips

These days, a modern layout and design for a business is non-negotiable if you want to attract a broader market. For this reason, it is wise to remodel every 8 to 10 years, to ensure you are keeping up with modern times and technology, but more importantly, retail science. Your store should be both functional and alluring. You see, by simply changing certain aspects of your store’s design and layout, you can better attract customers and sell the goods that bring in the most profit. Here are 6 ways you can do this:

❶ Store Entrance

The entrance of your store is much like a first impression. Not only should be it attention-grabbing to potential customers walking or driving by, it should also serve a logical function. Collaborate with a reputable design build contractor for advice on remodeling your entrance so that it catches the eye while also better displaying your goods and products. Your entrance should showcase your common merchandises, but do not make it too crowded. One or two products is all you need to send the right message about your store to potential customers.

❷ Floor Space

On the topic of overcrowding, it is wise to enhance your floor space as much as possible. For a retail store, this is a prime feature to have. In fact, according to market researcher and behavioral research expert, Paco Underhill, even if customers are interested in a particular product or display, they will typically avoid the aisle if it seems too crowded or cramped. Read his book, Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping for incredible research and consulting solutions for your business.

Furthermore, no one likes to bump into others when they shop, making ample floor space an attractive quality for customers. Not only do you want your store to have adequate floor space, you also want your merchandise to have plenty of space too. Avoid overcrowding your products so they are easily accessible to customers. If you cannot remodel, you can instead, find ways to rearrange your layout for improved space.

❸ Customer Amenities

Customers these days want their shopping experience to be convenient. One way to meet this communal need is to provide your customers with certain, modern-day amenities. For instance, it is common for clothing boutiques to offer refreshments to shopping guests, such as sparkling water or even champagne.

To enhance the convenience of your store, it is also wise to set up your store’s layout with common products together in one section, visible aisle signs to direct shoppers, sufficient seating and dressing rooms, bathrooms, and any technologies that might help their shopping experience, such as personal price scanners or call buttons.

❹ Strategic Traffic Manipulation

Although the term manipulation seems like an immoral one, when it comes to retail science, it is a must. You see, you want your customers to come into your store, and shop the entire store. If you place the best goods up front, as well as your registers, you are not influencing them to come all the way inside.

By strategically placing your best or most sought-after items in the back of the store, it forces customers to walk all the way through. This is why cash registers are often placed in the back or middle of the store. After all, the more they see, the more they are likely to buy!

❺ Small Touches

Overall, a retail store that is organized, comfortable, and well-thought out is more attractive to customers. The design and layout of your store is very important to a customer’s experience and their likelihood of returning.

Everything from lighting and textiles, to colors, themes, branding, and more, should all be deigned logically, but also creatively, for long-term success. This also applies to dressing rooms, storage rooms, restrooms, and break areas.

Trusted Retail Store Remodeling and Design in Indiana

Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for trusted retail store construction and remodeling in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding locations. Whether you’re a city official looking to enhance shopper experience, a standalone store ready to make an entrance, or a national retailer expanding across the country, our expert construction contractors have what it takes to support your business’s objectives and generate long-term value. We focus on delivering a streamlined design and remodeling process that meets all defined engineering and design specifications, procurement, schedules, and budgets. Call today to request free information or to schedule a consultation.

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

Key Points That Should Be Included in a Remodeling Contract

In previous blogs, we have discussed how to hire a commercial construction company and which qualities to look for in a dependable contractor. Today, we want to focus on which fundamental elements should be laid out clearly and concisely in a commercial remodeling agreement. This information will help you identify weaknesses and strengths in your general contractor’s proposal, and allow you to negotiate workable adjustments to meet your overall project objectives.

Continue reading to learn the key points that should be included in a remodeling contract, regardless of the size or scope of the project.

Indianapolis Commercial General Construction
Indianapolis Commercial General Construction 317-253-0531

Remodeling Contract Basics

Overall, a commercial construction contract is supposed to outline the scope of the remodeling work. But it must be clear, precise, and as detailed as possible. This is because it will be referred to by both you and your contractor throughout the progression of the project. When a general contractor presents you with a contract, this is your first opportunity to make any adjustments if necessary.

For this reason, it is important to know what to look for and which aspects of a remodeling project should be outlined in your agreement, before you decide to sign. Not only will this give you better decision power, it will also give you peace of mind knowing that you and your commercial contracting team are on the same page.

More importantly, each state has individual construction contract statutes, some of which can be quite complex since there are so many numbers, estimates, and stipulations that usually take several hours to review. So, it is wise to have a licensed lawyer examine the contract and explain it to you in a language you can clearly understand.

To hire a lawyer for contract review, you can expect the cost to be around $500 or so, with an additional $1,000 to $1,500 in the case that the contract is flawed and wholesale revisions need to be made.

Here are the top key elements that should be in a remodeling contract:

Payments

A commercial remodeling contract must include precise details regarding payments and payment schedules. This includes how much you will pay for completed work and at which points of the project you will need to make payments. It is a good sign for all payment schedules and obligations to be linked to certain project milestones, such as framing, electrical work, plumbing installations. Additionally, the first payment should not be more than 10% of the total project cost.

Work Schedule

A commercial remodeling contract must outline the full work schedule, including start dates and completion dates for the entire project. Keep in mind that the work schedule is not an exact prediction, but merely a rational time frame. It is very common, and likely, for a 10-week job to take 11 or 12 weeks. However, if your project continues months after an agreed completion date, the contract can be used to help you defend yourself in the case of a dispute.

Project Specifications

The actual project specifications do not necessarily be detailed in the contractor’s agreement; however, it should have the contractor’s itemized bid attached for reference throughout the project. A commercial remodeling contract should also contain change order specifications, which means that if the cost of something changes, it must be priced in writing and countersigned by both you and the contractor before any work commences.

Lastly, it should also state that the contractor is responsible for securing all necessary permits and approvals.

Arbitration Options

In some cases, contractor and client might end up in a dispute. For this reason, it is wise for your commercial remodeling contract to contain specific arbitration clauses, which means you and your contractor will use an appointed arbitrator (not a judge) to solve any disagreements.

This saves both time and money since court costs and lawyer fees are expensive. However, if your contractor recommends an arbitrator, be sure to research them first before signing your remodeling contract. Some arbitrators can be questionable and unethical.

Warranty Information

Many general contracting companies offer warranties with their work, but they are sometimes filled with exclusions and time controls that favor the contractor. You have the option to refuse their warranty, which might be better for you in terms of liability.

However, in other cases, general contracting warranties are full-proof and highly-desirable for a client. It can go both ways. For this reason, it is vital that you hire a dependable company with a good, honest reputation. Also, a lawyer can help you review your warranty to determine if it is a good fit.

Indianapolis General Contractors You Can Trust

Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for trusted commercial construction and remodeling in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding locations. Our skilled and experienced commercial general contractors 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

A Brief Introduction to Commercial Construction Services

The commercial construction industry is much different from the world of residential building. There are many additional considerations to undertake, concepts and technologies to incorporate, and most importantly, profitability goals to meet. Overall, the commercial construction and general contracting enterprise is a vital tool for business owners, offering a wide range of services for all industries of all sizes.

As a commercial business owner, you may better develop a plan for your new site by understanding just what a commercial construction company can do for you. Continue below to peruse the primary categories and subcategories of commercial construction work, as well as, how to get started developing your new commercial property today.

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

Top Categories of Commercial Construction

👷 General Contracting

A general contracting company works as a single source of contact and management by providing all material, labor, equipment, and services required for a commercial construction project. In most cases, they are responsible for hiring and managing specialized subcontractors to perform all or some of the work, such as roofing, windows, framing, drywall, painting, electrician work, and more.

👷 Pre-Construction

Commercial construction preconstruction services applies the innovative knowledge of precision forecasting to evaluate and establish every element of a project before breaking ground. This allows the development of a solid base, as well as a steady timeline for a project, including specifying all aspects, aligning designing and building agendas, recognizing milestones, creating contingency plans, and assessing alternatives. This approach helps to accurately reflecting real world conditions, controlling costs, and abating complications or setbacks.

👷 Construction Management

Commercial construction management applies concentrated managing system to oversee all aspects of a project, from planning and preconstruction, to designing, building, finishing, and more. This approach ensures an organized and streamlined construction process, therefore, controlling costs and reducing the likelihood of setbacks and project delays.

👷 Design Build (DB)

Commercial design-build contracting allows clients to avoid hiring 20 different contractors and professionals for a single project. A commercial construction company that offers design-build services acts as your sole point of communication and accountability, which in turn, ensures cost-savings, appoints liability, guarantees pricing, improves risk management, certifies performance-based quality control, reduces delivery times, and enhances the overall excellence of work.

👷 Tenant Improvements and Remodels

A commercial construction company will often provide services for apartment complexes, condominiums, retirement centers, and other types of commercially-owned residential living communities. Everything from permit applications and materials procurement, to construction management, financial plan compliance, and more are handled by the commercial construction company.  

👷 Facility Maintenance

Once a project is complete and a property is built, there is still a need for ongoing, specialized maintenance. Facility maintenance services sustain all systems and structures within a building. The commercial construction company will set up a program, or remain available, to implement specialized maintenance work that cannot be performed by in-house custodial and day-porter staffs, such as electrician work, sign repair, and more.

Sub-Categories of Commercial Construction

Healthcare Construction – Hospitals, medical facilities, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, medical offices, spas, esthetician offices, pharmaceutical factories, wellness centers, sports medicine centers, and all other healthcare-related industries.

Office and Commercial-Use Construction – Offices, office buildings, office complexes, high-rises, corporate campuses, single and multi-tenant offices, public buildings, auditoriums, pavilions, conference centers, and similar properties.

Retail and Franchise Construction – Shopping centers, malls, strip malls, apparel stores, jewelry stores, boutiques, outlets, franchise businesses, spas, and more.

Restaurant and Food Service Construction – Restaurants, eateries, pubs, bars, cafes, catering venues, diners, cafeterias, grocery stores, franchise businesses, food market pavilions, factories, distribution warehouses, commercial kitchens, and more.

Fitness and Gym Construction – Gyms, fitness centers, yoga studios, Pilates studios, ballet studios, dance studios, indoor pools, spas, sports complexes, tennis courts, basketball courts, recreational centers, and more.

Space Planning and Permitting – Zoning and permits, site selection/evaluation, preconstruction, community due diligence, land acquisition, economic incentive inquiries, feasibility studies, constructability reviews, site audits, site entitlements, financial analysis/structuring, and more.

Commercial Window Repair and Replacement – Store front windows, interior windows, exterior windows, high-rise windows, specialty windows, locks and alarm systems, and more.

Commercial Door Repair and Replacement – Store front doors, interior doors, exterior doors, sliding doors, emergency exit doors, specialty doors, door locks and alarm systems, door technology, and more.

Commercial Flooring – Standard flooring, specialty flooring, space planning, repair, replacement, installation, procurement, etc.

Commercial Painting and Drywall – Space planning, repair, refinishing, installation, designing, etc.

Trusted Indianapolis Commercial Construction

Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for trusted commercial construction and management 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.

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