Modern Wheelchair Accessibility Options for Commercial Properties

Posted on March 27, 2020 by bafcorp20

As a commercial property owner, the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) is something you need to fully appreciate and consider when it comes time to plan a major remodel or renovation, especially for multi-story buildings. ADA compliancy and adequate wheelchair accessibility are two key factors that must be addressed and incorporated into your commercial building in order to remain non-delinquent under the civil law requirements for public accommodation.

Not sure where to begin with your new ADA compliancy and wheelchair accessibility plan? Continue reading to learn some of the most popular options for commercial buildings, and how to get started on the right track in terms of planning and construction.

Indianapolis Design Build Commercial Construction 317-253-0531

ADA Compliant Options for Disabled Individuals

There are plenty of options you can choose from to ensure your commercial property is adequately accessible to those in wheelchairs, as well as those who are disabled. Some of the most popular ADA compliancy and wheelchair accessibility options include wheelchair lifts, ADA ramps, and ADA elevators. Often times, commercial buildings owners will incorporate more than one method to achieve optimal accessibility. To learn more about ADA standards for accessible design, visit ADA.gov.

ADA Ramps

There are very strict and specific state requirements for ADA ramps. First, wheelchair ramps have to be at least 36 inches wide, and retain protective edges to prevent falling accidents. Furthermore, such ramps must be constructed with perfectly level platforms at both ends to ensure stability. These landing areas must be as wide as the ramp, and at least 5 feet long. Aside from width and length, ADA ramps are required to meet certain criteria for slope as well. Maximum slope allotment for wheelchair ramps are 1 inch of rise to every 12 inches of length. More commonly, ADA ramps are constructed with 1 inch of rise to every 20 inches of length.

Wheelchair Lifts

As you just learned, ADA ramps must have the correct slope and height ratio to deliver a safe and comfortable passageway for disabled individuals. But sometimes, a commercial building does not have the space to accommodate a ramp. In really tight quarters, such as spiral staircases or multi-story lobbies, commercial construction specialists will recommend using a wheelchair lift. Wheelchair lifts are similar to elevators in that they mechanically transport a wheelchair from one level to another. Such lifts are compatible with most high-level spaces, and do not require invasive construction. Best of all, they can be applied to interior staircases, exterior stairways, and even swimming pools.

ADA Elevators

When ramps and lifts are not a compatible solution to ADA compliancy and wheelchair accessibility, a great option are ADA-approved elevators. ADA elevators are different from standard elevator systems because they are designed with greater dimensions to allow safe and easy access for those in wheelchairs. Furthermore, their doors must remain open for at least 3 seconds prior to closing. ADA elevator compliancy also requires easy access to buttons and controls on the inside of the elevator and on the wall outside of the elevator, as well as, visual and audio cues that signal elevator availability and movement.

Indianapolis Commercial Construction Company You Can Trust

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

Factors to Consider Before Signing a Commercial Office Lease

Posted on March 17, 2020 by bafcorp20

Moving into a new commercial space is a serious undertaking. There are several complex steps to complete in order to get your business back to fully-operating at peak performance following a relocation. But first you must sign a new lease. Before you do so, there are various considerations to apply to your decision in order to protect yourself from entering into a contract you later regret.

Continue reading to learn which factors should be at the forefront of your mind when discussing a new commercial real estate lease prior to signing.

Space Planning and Tenant Improvements 317-253-0531

General Commercial Lease Inquiries

With all new commercial real estate leases, there are basic questions that you must ask. These answers will give you the foundation of knowledge you need to decide whether or not to move forward with the lease agreement. Such questions include the following:

What is the Type of Lease Offered? There are different types of lease agreements for commercial properties, including net leases, gross leases, triple nets, and absolute triple nets.

What are the Terms and Conditions? You must read through all terms and conditions, and derive questions pertinent to your overall objectives and limitations.

Is the Lease Negotiable? Most often, lease agreements are flexible, and landlords will negotiate certain elements in the lease’s terms and conditions.

Will Rent Increase? Rent escalation is common in commercial real estate, like stepped increases that periodically increase in fixed amounts, or increases tied to Consumer Price Index.

Can You Sublease? Long-term leases might contain a subleasing and assignment clause that allows you to lease out all or a portion of your space to another tenant in the future.

Comprehensive Facility Touring

Always be sure to tour the facility as thoroughly as possible before signing a lease. You want your potential commercial space to have an inviting and functional atmosphere. When taking your tours, be sure to focus your attention on cleanliness, attractiveness, curb appeal, practicality, degree of remodeling or renovation needed, and amenities available, like parking, cafeterias, bathrooms, break rooms, lobbies, and more.

Neighboring Properties

Before entering in a legal contract that binds you to a commercial office space, it is wise to first check out your future neighbors. Consider the local businesses and buildings surrounding your potential space, including the actual proprietors and contemporaries you will likely encounter on a regular basis. This could easily thwart your interest in a new commercial space. For instance, if your business is a Zen spa, you wouldn’t want to lease a space directly below a dance studio or next door to a drum store.

Renewal Processes

It is wise to ask about the lease renewal process before making any agreements. Inquire about the terms and conditions of renewing or terminating the lease. In some cases, a tenant is required to notify the landlord within a certain time period that they wish to remain in a lease, while others do not. Communication guidelines and requirements for commercial leases vary from landlord to landlord. So, always be sure you fully understand your role when it comes time to renew or terminate your commercial lease.

Leasehold Improvements and Maintenance

Another important topic of discussion to cover prior to signing a new commercial lease are leasehold improvements. This includes facility maintenance. Questions to ask include, “Are you allowed to modify the space to meet your business’s needs?”, “Is the landlord willing to make tenant improvements before you move in?”, “Is the tenant improvement allowance enough?”, and “Is a maintenance program included in your lease?”

Professional Commercial Space Planning in Indianapolis

Call BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 to learn more about planning a new commercial space for your business. We provide full-service commercial space planning and permitting services in Indianapolis, and throughout Central Indiana for all businesses and industries. Whether you’ve already moved into a new space or still searching for one, our commercial construction management team has what it takes to meet your unique specifications. Call our office today to discuss your commercial space planning and tenant improvement needs, today.

Why Use Your Commercial General Contractor for Facility Maintenance

Posted on February 4, 2020 by bafcorp20

Facility maintenance is not something you think about when it comes to finishing your commercial construction build. However, the importance of protecting and preserving your real estate is equivalent to that of your entire project, as well as, the future success of your business. For this reason, it is vital to consider your options for facility maintenance service before your commercial property is finished being constructed or remodeled. By putting a plan in place ahead of time, you can better keep up with the evolving maintenance and repair needs of your property.

But who do you hire for facility maintenance? Most proprietors partner with their trusted commercial general contracting team. Continue reading to learn the top reasons why this is your best option for commercial facility management and maintenance.

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Benefits of Choosing Your Contractor for Facility Management

Here are the top reasons why it is so strongly encouraged to hire your commercial general contractor as your facility maintenance provider:

☑ Intimate Knowledge. Your commercial general contracting company built your property, so they know the intimate and personal details involved with all the processes, systems, operations, materials, and more. This intimate knowledge streamlines any needed maintenance or repair, thus saving you time and money.

☑ Contractor Expertise. There are maintenance needs and then there are repairs. Your commercial general contractor knows how to decipher between the two. They have the expertise to not only analyze and diagnose issues, but also to solve them at the root of the problem.

☑ Budget Adherence. Your commercial general contracting team can professionally advise you on maintenance budgets, timelines, and plans, thus helping you prioritize your facility’s needs and maximize your overall budget for maintenance.

☑ Direct Communication. Your commercial general contractor provides a single point of contact, therefore giving you a direct line of communication at all times. This is especially important for emergency repair or maintenance needs.

☑ Assurance. Since you have already worked with your commercial construction contractor in the past, you have already established a relationship. This existing relationship leaves you more assured because you know they are a reliable and capable partner.

Choose BAF Corp for Facility Maintenance in Indianapolis

Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 to learn how our reputable Indianapolis general contractors can provide custom facility maintenance and management services for your property. We serve all of Central Indiana with corporate, commercial, and industrial construction and general contracting services, including facility maintenance. Whether you are a chain restaurant, a skyscraper hotel, or a conventional office building, we have the knowledge, skills, and resources to protect and preserve your premises. Call today to request free information or to schedule a consultation.

A Brief Introduction to Commercial Construction Services

Posted on January 21, 2020 by bafcorp20

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.

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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.