If you have ever signed a contract before, you know that they are incredibly long and complicated pieces of literature that are virtually impossible to understand without a thorough comprehension of real estate law and liability. For this reason, when signing a commercial lease agreement, it is common to request a lease abstract.
Continue reading to learn what a commercial lease abstract is, and what should be included in one before making a commitment.
Indianapolis Indiana Commercial Office 317-253-0531
Commercial Lease Agreements and Abstracts
It is unrealistic to fully read through and understand every element of a commercial lease agreement. Commercial lease abstracts play an important role in a tenant’s ability to understand what contractual agreement they are signing into, and what is expected of them during their occupation. Basically, a lease abstract is a summary of all the primary and important aspects of the lease agreement.
Sort of like CliffsNotes for a book you forgot to read in college, a lease abstract covers the basics of the contract and informs you of all the vital facts you need to know, and in a language you can understand. Lease abstracts are constructed to be free of confusing industry jargon, and allow a potential corporate or commercial tenant to fully understand the liability and responsibilities they are taking on if they choose to enter into the lease.
What Should Be Included in a Lease Abstract?
Although a summary of the full contract, a lease abstract will (and should) contain a lot of information. The basic information it should have includes:
☑ Tenant’s Full Name ☑ Total Cost of Rent ☑ Square Footage of the Rental Space ☑ Lease Start/End Date ☑ First Rent Payment Due Date ☑ Premises Specifications ☑ Authorized Use of the Premises ☑ Parking Space/Requirements ☑ Accountable Party for Repairs and Maintenance ☑ Co-Tenancy/Sub-Leasing Terms ☑ Expansion/Build-Out Rights ☑ Tenant Improvement Allowances ☑ Assignability and Exclusivity (if the lease can be transferred) ☑ Estoppel
Whether your business provides a service that caters to the senior community, or simply has a large senior citizen following, it is it wise for you to consider improving the ease and accessibility of your commercial property with elderly and disabled individuals in mind. As a business owner, it is your responsibility to make sure your clients and customers are safe, and specialized safety ramps and stair lifts can provide this security for geriatric and disable citizens.
Continue reading for helpful information and recommendations regarding public ramps and stair lifts.
Indiana Handicap Assist Commercial Construction 317-253-0531
Handicap-Assisted Equipment For Commercial Properties
Commercial stair lifts, step lifts, ramps, and other handicap-assisted equipment are important for those with mobility issues, and make navigating a commercial property easier, safer, and more convenient for the elderly and disabled. Not only does it prevent accidents, but it also reduces the risk of your company facing potential injury lawsuits.
Commercial Stair Lifts
Stair lifts can be fitted to any size or type of interior or exterior stairwell, making them an easy choice for commercial properties. This includes staircases that are straight, curved, spiral, helical, long, short, wide and narrow. With a range like this, any commercial property or premises can be renovated with stair lifts. Whether inside or outside, they provide a safe and secure means of moving up and down difficult inclines.
With simple joysticks and buttons, they are also easy to understand and operate. Stair lifts are battery-powered, so they do not require an electric power source, saving money and energy. And with long-lasting battery life and weather-resistant designs, stair lifts are relatively low maintenance. They do require recharging to prevent accidental shut-downs, mid-operation.
Commercial Ramps
Ramps are another helpful addition to consider. They are meant to provide safety and convenience for those in wheelchairs, or for those with mobility problems. Access ramps are a quick and inexpensive way to cater to the elderly and disabled community while still remaining in compliance with the state regulations for disabled access. And they are convenient for any property since they can be installed both indoors and outdoors.
Commercial Step Lifts
Step lifts are another option that provide the same purpose as the others, but for small rise wheelchair access. Step lifts are powered by electricity and designed to lift wheelchairs up to 3 meters off the ground. In the case of a power failure, they are manufactured with a safety mechanism that automatically lowers the lift. Primarily used for public access, step lifts are a popular choice for properties since they are not overbearing in an aesthetic sense. They can provide safety and accessibility without jeopardizing the property’s décor and design.
As a commercial property owner, it is important to ensure that your premise is a safe and hazard-free environment. This applies not only to yourself and your staff members, but also to potential patrons, clients, visitors, and any subcontractors that come into to provide maintenance or repair work. One strategy that many commercial property owners have found to be successful is to install a gate. If you are interested in improving the safety and security of your property, as well as excelling at your overall business objectives, you too might want to consider installing a gate around your commercial property.
Continue reading to learn the top 5 ways a gate can benefit your commercial property, and who to trust for exceptional Indianapolis Indiana commercial general contracting service at the most competitive prices around.
Indianapolis Commercial General Contracting 317-253-0531
A Commercial Property is an Investment
Not only do you want your commercial property to be safe and secure, but you also want to look great and perform as it should. You also wanted to abate costly and invasive repairs or renovations, especially ones that come prematurely. A gate can be the answer to taking your commercial property to the next level. Specifically, installing a gate at the front or entirely around your commercial property can benefit you by delivering enhanced safety, curb appeal, theft deterrence, cost savings, and a wide range of design options.
❶ Improved Safety and Security
It is pretty apparent as to why a commercial gate can provide your premises with enhanced security and safety. Not only is it a physical barrier between the public and your private grounds, but it prevents anyone who is unauthorized to enter or gain access to your property. Furthermore, during non-operational hours, especially overnight, a commercial gate can provide an added peace of mind knowing that your premises is secured and protected against trespassers. For businesses that do close down overnight, is very wise to install a commercial gate to abate theft, vandalism, vagrants, and otherwise unauthorized persons. Overall, commercial gates protect those inside during operational hours, and the property as a whole after hours.
❷ Nice Curb Appeal
your commercial property as an investment, so whether or not you actually serve clients or patrons at your property doesn’t make a difference when it comes to maintaining nice curb appeal. Adding a commercial gate your premises can instantly enhance your properties curb appeal, and therefore make it more enticing for customers as well as potential buyers if you ever decide to put on the market. A commercial gate can really benefit your overall investment protection plan.
❸ Effective Theft Deterrence
As mentioned, commercial gates physically stop unauthorized people to trespass onto a commercial property. But they also deter thieves and trespassers from attempting to gain access onto your property to begin with. When a criminal or potential trespasser sees a gate around your commercial property, they are going to keep on walking because it poses too much of a challenge for them. It works the same way as setting up a surveillance and security system on your property; when criminals see surveillance, they don’t want to take the risk of getting caught, so they move on to an easier target.
❹ Cost Savings
Installing a commercial gate around your property can also help save you money, as well as time spent on invasive, premature repairs or renovations that could’ve been prevented by having a gate. It helps prevent vandalism, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars to resolve in some cases depending on the type of building material your property is constructed with in various other factors. Furthermore, a commercial gate is a lot cheaper than paying an in-house security team to patrol your property during an after-hours. Commercial gates that are made well are very durable and will last for many years, which also saves you money in the long run.
❺ Design Options
The most fun part about installing commercial gates around your property is choosing which style and design you want. Commercial gates come in a vast array of shapes, sizes, designs, finishes, and power sources. Basically, anything you might prefer you can probably get, from ornate styles and classic designs to simple finishes, modern electronic systems, parking gates, and more.
Are you thinking of choosing an open floor concept for your upcoming office remodel? If so, there are a few considerations you will want to review to be sure an open floor plan is right for your company and staff. Continue below to learn what you need to know about open floor plan office construction, including where to get superior commercial general contracting service near you.
Indianapolis Indiana Commercial Office Remodeling and Construction 317-253-0531
Modern Office Layouts
In the modern office world, you really don’t see many cubicles and closed off work areas. In fact, it is suggested that an average of 80% of the offices today are designed with a more open concept. Why have so many companies chosen this office layout, and so many more jump on board every day? Well, there are just too many undeniable and proven benefits, from increase staff productivity and overall contentment to improved team collaboration, simplified communication, and better accessibility all around.
But keep in mind, where there are pros, there can also be cons, and in the case of choosing an open floor concept for your office remodel, there could be a few you need to consider before making any final decisions. Not all businesses are well-suited or better off with an open-space office plan. It all depends on your industry, number of staff, company’s culture, and more.
Planning Your Office Remodel or Build
When you are sitting down with your commercial general contractor to plan your remodel or build, it is important to focus on what it is that you want out of an office space. You want your office to be functional, meeting the needs of yourself and your staff, as well as any additional objectives you are keen on, such as energy efficiency, touchless technologies, and ADA compliancy. Furthermore, you want your office to be a safe and hazard-free environment that is comfortable for both staff and visitors, and in the end, it should still speak to your company’s culture and creed.
Specific Factors to Consider:
► Your Company’s Industry
An open floor plan concept can be a great fit for many industries, such as an advertising company or sales office, but there are others that require a specific style to meet certain industry standards. For example, a law firm is typically set up to have private offices, meeting rooms, and reception areas for clients, making an open floor concept incompatible to their industry standards. On the other hand, an advertising agency or sales office could do well with an open-flow floor plan.
► Functionality and Operation
You need to consider how your office space is expected to operate. The daily routines and functions will play a large role in determining whether or not an open floor office space is right for your company. It is important that your office layout is designed in a way that will accommodate the work to be done. Factors to think about include the number of staff, type of storage you’ll need, degree of telephone usage, number of daily and weekly meetings, and whether or not your office hosts clients and customers.
► Growth and Expansion
When designing your new office space, it is important to incorporate your 5, 10, 20, and 50 year business objectives into the overall plan. Will an open floor concept still work for you as your company grows and expands in the future? For example, you do not want to build a space that accommodates a finite number of employees when you know you will be hiring more people in the years to come.
It is a common misconception that all tenant improvement allowances mean the same thing. If you hear $35 per square foot, that does not mean that your final cost will be exactly that. What you end up spending on your tenant improvement overall is the real number. Continue reading to learn more about TI allowances, including how they can differ in value depending on certain factors.
Indiana Tenant Improvement Commercial Construction
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TI Allowance May Vary Depending On Your Needs and Preferences
Unless you are granted a flat tenant improvement allowance, which is when the landlord agrees to build out your TI project at no cost to you, there are some additional expenditures you might incur when everything is said and done. Are you planning for a dark shell or vanilla shell turnout? Are you open to reusing and repurposing existing materials? Do you envision an open or closed floor plan? Does your commercial building provide an amenity package for things like restrooms, lockers, food, or common areas? All of these factors can influence the value of your tenant improvement allowance.
Dark Shells Versus Vanilla Shells
When you are remodeling a tenant occupied commercial space, the most basic options you will have to choose from are dark or grey shell turnout, or vanilla shell turnout. A vanilla shell TI package generally delivers your basic, smooth aesthetic. This includes drywalling of all demising walls (partition walls that separate one tenant-occupied space from another, or from a building’s common areas), ceiling, lighting, a number of electrical outlets, essential plumbing, HVAC work, and in some cases, bathrooms. A grey or dark shell TI construction remodel will look a lot different, mostly because they only include the construction of electrician and plumbing stubs, and only on the demising walls of the space.
Reusing Existing Materials to Cut Costs
When you are remodeling a tenant-occupied space, you can almost always expect to incur demolition costs. But in some cases, existing materials that are in good condition can be reused or repurposed in the new space, and still done so up to commercial building codes. Materials like plumbing, metal framing, ductwork, lighting fixtures, and even interior doors can all be reused, and therefore, cut your TI costs.
Building Amenity Packages
Adding restrooms, food courts, kitchens, and break areas to a tenant improvement project is a big expense. If your building comes with an amenity package, such as shared restrooms, cafeterias, break areas, and similar public or communal facilities, you can potential lower your TI build-out expenses, or even allocate the budget towards something else in your TI project.
Are you building a new Class A office space? If so, be sure to consider the allocation of square footage throughout the interior and exterior work spaces. When it comes to calculating the dimensions of your indoor office works paces, you might want to consider the average recommendations provided by Class A commercial construction experts.
Below, you will find a quick list of the average requirements and guidelines for assigning square footage to certain areas and common places in your Class A office.
Indianapolis Indiana Commercial Office Space Construction 317-253-0531
Class A Real Estate for Offices
When you are looking at the higher-end of the commercial real estate market for new office space, you are looking at Class A properties. Class A commercial properties come with the highest quality attributes and amenities, such as location, local public services, public transportation access, surrounding infrastructure, building finishes and features, and even the competence of the property’s management group.
Common areas where you will find Class A commercial real estate are city centers, business districts, suburban business parks, and urban marketplaces. Although Class A space is more catered to higher profile tenants, as well as national or regional companies, they can also be well-suited for local businesses. Keep in mind, this is the highest-priced type of commercial real estate. For this reason, many business owners lease this type of commercial space.
Allocating Square Footage for Common Office Workspaces
The average office setting for Class A properties include several different types of work and break areas, both indoor and outdoor. These include open-concept workstations, cubicles, private offices, conference rooms, break rooms, reception areas, storage rooms, mail rooms, and similar corporate or professional office area staples. By allocating the proper amount of square footage for each space, you can better control commercial office construction and post-occupancy expenses, while also protecting your bottom line. Well-organized office plans promote energy efficiency, cost savings, employee morale, improved staff productivity, and much more.
General Guidelines for Class A Office Spaces
► PRIVATE OFFICE SPACES: ↪ Executive – 200 – 400 sq. ft. ↪Managerial – 150 – 250 sq. ft. ↪Other – 90 – 150 sq. ft.
► CUBICLES – 125 – 175 sq. ft.
► OPEN WORK SPACES – 60 – 110 sq. ft.
► OUTSIDE LOUNGE AREAS – 200- 300 sq. ft.
► RECEPTION/LOBBY – 100 – 200 sq. ft.
► GROUP SPACES: ↪Conference Rooms – 50 sq. ft. plus 25 sq. ft per seat ↪Lunch/Break Rooms – 75 sq. ft. plus 10 sq. ft per seat ↪Work Rooms – 125 sq. ft.
► OTHER WORK ROOMS: ↪Mail Room – 125 – 200 sq. ft. ↪Print Room – 125 – 200 sq. ft. ↪Storage Room – 200 – 300 sq. ft.
If you are interested in boosting employee morale and productivity, and therefore, your bottom line, a fresh office remodel is a great place to start. Continue reading to learn which modern office features are the most requested by staff and personnel, and how you can get started with a commercial construction bid before the spring season begins.
Indianapolis Indiana Commercial Office Remodeling 317-253-0531
Office Remodeling Key Points and Benefits
In today’s world, office layouts no longer have rules. You can think outside of the box on many office features, elements, and designs, while also improving your staff productivity and profits. No more are lines of repetitive cubicles the only way to design an office; now there are various approaches to office operations, including open floor plans, outdoor spaces, energy efficient lighting, and touchless technologies.
There is a proven correlation between a comfortable and happy office environment and the overall productivity of staff. Employees that are comfortable and tended to are happier, which in turn makes them work with a higher level of alertness, focus, and loyalty. It delivers an environment that allows employees to do their absolute best work. These benefits are just the start of the possible list of advantages, making a fresh office renovation a wise investment that will pay it forward in terms of your company’s overall success.
Not sure which kinds of changes and renovations to choose to meet the needs and standards of yourself and staff? Talk to a trusted and licensed commercial construction general contractor for advice on how to modernize your office layout.
Here’s What Employees Really Want:
Big Windows – Staffs love natural light in the workplace. Bigger windows provides both natural lighting and enhanced ambience.
Better Lighting – Keep in mind that better does not mean brighter in terms of lighting. But when the lighting is just right, employees work better.
Open Floor Plans – Pretty self-explanatory. Staffs are happier and work better when they are not enclosed or feel trapped.
Outdoor Spaces – Giving staffs outdoor spaces for gatherings, work, and breaks is a great way to meet their needs in the office.
Snack Bars/Cafés – Employees stay fervent in their desire for some sort of food vending source in the office to make lunches easier and more efficient.
Alternative Workspaces – Give employees other areas to work other than their desks, like communal living rooms areas and booth-style tables.
Large and Small Meeting Rooms – Staffs want more suitable meeting rooms, both large and small. Mixing it up like this can boost productivity significantly.
Storage Options – Providing more storage solutions for staff can give them more freedom at their workspace. Clearing the clutter can clear the brain!
Hygienic Environments – More than anything, employees want a clean and safe work environment. There are many features, including touchless technologies, that can be incorporated into a commercial office renovation plan to improve health, safety, and overall well-being among staffs.
There is a new world out there, whether we like it or not. As a result, many aspects of life are taking on a new look, and the same applies to the modern commercial office space. Your commercial office might not yet reflect the changing work environments and wellness standards of today’s workplace. To improve your company’s progression through these new circumstances and challenging times, you should rethink the modern office setup.
Start by considering these commercial office renovations and remodels, and be one step closer to meeting the modern-day needs of your staff and your overall business objectives.
Indiana Commercial Office Building Construction
317-253-0531
What a Modern Office Might Look Like
Closed Work Spaces
Open concept floor plans are taking a back seat in today’s office environment. Many commercial offices are reverting back to closed workplaces, such as cubicles, private offices, partition desk arrangements, individual workstations, and similar social distancing setups. You might consider incorporating a version, or combination of these examples to meet the needs of your staff and guests.
Outdoor Work Spaces
Although many states do not permit a comfortable outdoor environment year-round, it is still a current and popular trend to add more outdoor work spaces for employees in the office setting. Such outdoor work areas can be permanent, year-round spaces, or they can be seasonal, and easily transitioned from one season to the next. Go big with the addition of an outdoor terrace, garden, or transitional atrium; or keep it simple with the basic outdoor workspace needs like benches, A/C outlets, and shaded structures.
Hybrid Offices
Not everyone is working full-time in the office setting these days. Many employees are working more days at home, and only stopping into the office for weekly meetings and collaboration with team members. This hybrid-office approach proves to have many benefits that might be compatible with future business endeavors and operations. If you are considering a hybrid office arrangement, consider remodeling your office to have more open lounge areas, meeting rooms, large communal tables, and workstations for team collaboration.
Touch-Free Designs
Another emerging innovative design approach for medical facilities is touch-free technology for germ-prone surfaces that are commonly found in restrooms, cafeterias, lobbies, waiting rooms, patient rooms, and more. Such technological applications include tough-free dispensers for soap, hand-sanitizer, and hand towels. Other touch-free applications can be used to open and close doors, make intercom calls, request emergency assistance, temperature controls, televisions, and more. Reducing the amount of surface contact in a public building also reduces the potential for cross-contamination, and thus, improves the safety of the medical facility environment.
If you are a real estate owner who is interested in learning more about metal roofing systems for your commercial buildings, contact a local and trusted commercial general contractor to get started in the right direction. A commercial general contracting company can provide all the information you need to make an informed decision about your property’s roof replacement or construction needs. Even better, they can customize their recommendations to meld with the unique qualities of your existing roof and your overall business objectives.
In the meantime, continue reading and review some frequently asked questions about commercial metal roofs and pre-engineered metal buildings to perhaps get some answers you are looking for right now.
Indianapolis Commercial General Contracting and Facility Maintenance 317-253-0531
Metal Roofing FAQS for Commercial Properties
Do Commercial Metal Roofs Last a Long Time?
Yes! With proper installation and routine maintenance, commercial metal roofs can last between 20 and 50 years! That far exceeds the life expectation of asphalt shingles, which have a shelf life of 10 to 20 years. This means they can last two to three times longer than alternative commercial roofing systems!
Will a Commercial Metal Roof Be Loud in Wind and Rain?
Many proprietors worry that a commercial metal roof will reverberate too much noise when it rains, or in high winds. But with proper installation and felt underlayment, a metal roof is virtually silent in inclement weather conditions. Metal panels will not vibrate like a barn pole roof! Also, the attic space and ceiling below it will provide additional voids, which reduces sound transfer.
Is Commercial Metal Roofing an Eco-Friendly Choice?
Yes! Metal can be recycled and reused over and over again. Once a commercial metal roof is ready for replacement, all materials can be reprocessed into something new. They are safe, sustainable, and recyclable for up to 100 years!
Are Commercial Metal Roofs More Expensive?
Initially, the cost of a commercial metal roof is a significant investment. However, the long-term benefits you receive with a commercial metal roofing system far outweigh the initial cost of purchase and installation, making it well worth it overtime. Often times, commercial metal roofs come with excellent warranties, and you will not need to replace it for the rest of your life!
Will a Metal Roof Attract Lightning?
This is another common question, and a good one for that matter. It is a myth that metal roofs attract lightning. In fact, a commercial metal roof makes you safer in a lightning storm, hypothetically. That is because it would help disperse the energy safely throughout the structure of your commercial building. Metal rooftops are also noncombustible and nonflammable. Again, a commercial metal roof will not attract lightning, ever.
What are the Advantages of Commercial Pre-Fabricated Metal Buildings?
Many commercial builders are choosing pre-engineered metal buildings because they offer enhanced safety, cost-savings, energy efficiency, faster construction completion times, and design versatility. They are perfect for warehouses, factories, garages, churches, retail stores, airplane hangars, horse stables, and even modernized office buildings and schools. Coupled with a metal roofing system, you can build yourself a durable and effective commercial building.
Like many business owners and commercial real estate proprietors, the COVID-19 pandemic has likely changed the way you do business, and greatly impacted your overhead operating costs. For this reason, many businesses are moving their big city and metro office locations to more community-based districts for lower rental rates and generous lease agreements. Not only is this saving business owners money, but it is also improving their overall budget efficiency. If your office or company is currently located in an expensive city location, you too might want to consider moving to the suburbs to help you and your staff better accommodate to the evolving office platform we have experienced this past year.
Continue reading for some tips that will help you better transition from a big city office location to a suburban location.
Indianapolis IN Office Remodeling Contractors 317-253-0531
Get Creative With Your Office Options
You don’t have to look for bland, strictly-leased office buildings if you want to move from the city to the suburbs. Get creative and think outside the box! For instance, due to the pandemic, there are many vacancies and retail spaces available for reduced rent at places like shopping malls, business plazas, and strip malls. Not only are these locations easy to renovate to meet your business’s needs, but they are also cheaper than big city rentals, and more conveniently located. Staff, guests, clients, or customers can enjoy the easy highway connections and commutes, nearby shopping, restaurants, and local services.
Hire a Tenant Improvement Contractor
Moving office locations involves a lot of steps, and even more consideration. Furthermore, the commercial real estate market can be complex and confusing. So, if you want to ensure you get a fair deal that will meet the current and future needs of your business, it is vital to hire a commercial general contracting company who specializes in tenant improvements and remodels. They have the acumen and professional resources to efficiently navigate brokerages, insurance, securities, lease agreements, zoning, permitting, space planning, and all other complexities involved in moving into a new office location.
Make the Switch Easy for Your Employees
Your staff will appreciate the effort you make to relieve some of the stress and labor involved in transitioning into a new office location. First, provide as much information as possible, and as soon as possible, in clear and precise ways, such as comprehensive packets, meetings, emails, flyers, and more. The more they know, the less fear and uncertainty they feel, making the move much easier for them. Also provide them with thorough information on the local demographics, public transportation, interstates and highway connections, local shopping centers, restaurants, dry cleaners, and more.
Know Your Codes and Zoning Requirements
Get to know your local building and city codes, including fire codes, construction permit requirements, zoning laws, and all other relevant regulations. Your commercial TI contractor can help you with this. So really, all you have to do is study the literature they provide, as they will be able to gather all relevant and important laws and information pertaining to your new location.
