What You Need to Know About Hiring a Commercial Architect

What does a commercial architect really do? Well, a lot, which is why they do not come cheap. Centrally, commercial architects polish and perfect the total design and function of your commercial build. But here’s the catch: you may or may not need an architect for your commercial construction project. By understanding when you need one and when you don’t, you can potentially shave thousands of dollars off your bottom line.

Continue reading to learn what you need to know about hiring a commercial architect, including an all-inclusive option to commercial construction that may save you money at all ends of the spectrum!

Commercial Architect Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531
Commercial Architect Indianapolis Indiana 317-253-0531

Credentialed Designers are Not Cheap

Commercial architects, or credentialed designers, do not come at cheap price. For this reason, it is important to learn whether or not you actually need higher commercial architect for your project. When hiring a commercial architect, you can expect to spend anywhere between $50 and $250 per hour for their services. Other commercial architects charge by a set percentage of the total project cost, which average between 5% and 20%. Very few, but some commercial architects charge flat rate fees, which can be anywhere between $5,000 and $500,000 depending on the size and scope of the project. It is possible to negotiate fees with a commercial architectural company, but typically their pricing models are set in stone.

What Commercial Architects Do

Commercial architects are expensive because they are precision-trained in highly technical applications that have to do with building design, economics, and engineering. Not only will they design and draw up comprehensive blueprints, floorplans, or design specifications for your commercial construction build, but they will also take charge of other elements of the project, such as hiring a commercial contractor or subcontractors, as well as work with additional structural engineering teams and building authorities. They can also help with budget analysis cost foreseeability charts, and several other types of budgeting assistance. You can also expect a commercial architectural team to oversee the entire commercial construction build from start to finish.

Do You Need a Commercial Architect?

There are several advantages to hiring a commercial architect, making it entirely worth the cost of their services. Some of the most noted benefits of hiring a commercial architect for commercial construction build include cost efficiency and cost savings, smart structural problem solving, post-occupancy facility maintenance, feng shui design plans, ergonomic functionality, design innovation, and hassle-free commercial construction management.

Alternatives to Commercial Architectural Services

If the commercial architect is not a proper fit for your commercial construction project, you may trim construction costs by hiring a draftsman instead. They can draw up technical blueprints and floor plans at a more economical price. However, professional drafting contractors do not have the design and engineering expertise of a qualified commercial architect. So, for full frontal façade renovations or large-scale commercial construction projects, you would need a commercial architect rather than a drafting company.

The best way to cut costs on commercial construction build is to hire in Indiana commercial construction management service. Commercial construction management navigates all elements of a commercial build, from start to finish. This includes architectural engineering, blueprinting, design, building, and even post occupancy facility maintenance services.

Are you looking for an Indiana commercial construction company to help you with your upcoming build? Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 to speak with our esteemed commercial construction management teams about the commercial construction services we offer in Central Indiana.

Related Posts:

Questions to Ask a Commercial Architect Before Hiring Them
What Commercial Construction Management Can Do For You
Advice on Commercial Construction Budget Control and Management

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

4 Key Differences Between Residential and Commercial Construction

Residential and commercial construction are two very different industries that adhere to another level of standards, quality, and codes. Continue reading to learn the 4 key elements that make commercial construction so different from residential construction so you may better understand the importance of hiring the right general contracting company for your upcoming build or renovation.

Commercial General Contractor Indianapolis IN 317-253-0531
Commercial General Contractor Indianapolis IN 317-253-0531

What Makes Commercial Construction Different From Residential?

The Intended Use of the Property

Commercial construction work refers to buildings and properties that will be used for business purposes, such as offices, factories, warehouses, stores, service-oriented businesses, and more. For this reason alone, commercial construction is much different from residential.

Building Codes and Permits

The set of local and state building codes, zoning laws, and permit requires differ greatly between residential and commercial construction. Because the use of property is for business and profit-making purposes, a separate set of regulations and compliancy rules apply. Examples include ADA ramps and handicap accessibility, state development plans, elevator permits, and parking.

Schedule Pace and Timeline

Because commercial construction work is performed for business’s seeking to make a profit, the pace of work is generally much faster. Scheduling and work pace are adhered to with a stricter focus so that the business may open their doors and begin bringing in a profit as soon as possible.

Equipment and Materials

Commercial properties and spaces are typically much larger, and larger-scale work requires a heavier and more complex set of equipment, materials, and resources. This is a major difference between commercial construction and residential construction.

Are you ready to get your commercial build in motion? Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for professional commercial construction services in Indianapolis Indiana. We serve clients all throughout the state.

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A Brief Introduction to Commercial Construction Services
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Indianapolis Commercial General Contracting and Design Build Services
Contact Us Today 317-253-0531

What You Need to Do Before Reopening Your Commercial Building

After months of being closed due to stay-at-home orders and CDC advisories, your commercial building is ready to open back up and begin servicing guests and customers once again. However, after being shut down for a long period of time, a commercial building will require a certain approach to achieve a safe and successful reopening. As a proprietor or business owner, be sure you address all maintenance and sanitation issues prior to officially opening your doors.

Continue reading to learn the top things you need to do before you reopen your commercial business back up the public.

Indianapolis Commercial Construction and Facility Maintenance
Indianapolis Commercial Construction and Facility Maintenance 317-253-0531

Facility Maintenance Inspections

Even while your commercial property was closed, you hopefully continued to implement regular inspections to ensure nothing disastrous happened. For instance, if a pipe bursts, you would want to catch that early on, before it can cause a massive amount of structural damage. Similarly, you should have continued to check for roof damages and leaks, as well as, other issues like structural damages, minor repairs, and mechanical malfunctions.

Your first step to reopening is to implement another, comprehensive facility maintenance inspection to see if there are any structural, safety, or mechanical issues. Another part of this step is to look at your building’s facility records for any yearly property inspections that might have been skipped due to closure. This includes sprinkler systems, fire alarms, fire suppression systems, back-flow preventers, and more.

Plumbing and Sewer Line Service

You will need to flush the buildings sewer lines and drain systems to eliminate standing water. Standing water is smelly, as it likely contains sulfur that smells like rotten eggs. Also, sinks, toilets, and even floor drains have components called P-traps, which hold enough water to keep sewer gases from rising. This water in the P-traps evaporate when a building is not in use, and causes sewer odors to develop. Be sure to have the sewer lines and drains flushed, but also have all valves and seals inspected to ensure they are still in good condition.

Automated System Assessments

Once you have your facility maintenance and plumbing managed, you will also need to check up on all your buildings mechanical and automated systems, such as the heating and cooling, water heaters, water softeners, security systems, lighting systems, irrigation systems, fire alarms, fire suppression systems, back-flow preventers, and similar schemes. Be sure they are all functioning and set back to regular schedule.

Aesthetic Revival  

After a long period of being shut down, a commercial building will take on some duller, less appealing attributes. It is wise to give your commercial building an aesthetic refresher, such as painting and drywall, flooring, carpeting, new décor, or even minor renovations like door and window upgrades, roofing modifications, installation of touch-free systems, and more.

Superior Commercial Renovations and Facility Maintenance in Indianapolis

Contact BAF Corporation at 317-253-0531 for trusted commercial construction and facility maintenance service 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

Profitable Lobby Renovations to Enhance Your Business Appeal

If you take a closer look at the current commercial real estate market, you’ll notice a developing trend in lobby design and build. Lobbies play an important role in every building, whether a business providing a service or an office complex housing several commercial tenants. They are integral parts of a buildings design, function, and even appeal.

In fact, a business can experience a higher level of success by incorporating certain desirable features into their lobbies. Not only does this attract new clientele and customers, it retains them longer, thus increasing and protecting your revenue. As a building owner, it is wise to consider making some commercial renovations to enhance your lobby, and your overall business appeal.

Continue reading to learn which lobby renovations are most profitable, and how to get started on developing a bid for commercial construction.

Indianapolis Design Build Commercial Construction 317-253-0531
Indianapolis Design Build Commercial Construction 317-253-0531

Commercial Lobbies

A lobby in a commercial building is much more than just an entryway that serves as a portal to other areas of the property. People can do much more lobby than simply pass through it, and that is exactly how lobby design has evolved in today’s commercial real estate world. Lobbies should be functional first and foremost, but they should also be appealing, comfortable, and even hospitable. Furthermore, they should adhere to any local or federal building codes, such as ADA ramps and access points, fire safety and suppression systems, emergency exits, and more.

As a place to get started, here are some of the top-recommended lobby renovations that can instantly enhance your business’s appeal, and over time, build more revenue:

Natural Lighting

Natural lighting is arguably one of the most beneficial assets a commercial building can retain in terms of customer satisfaction and overall cost-efficacy. Not only can the right combination of natural lighting methods provide energy efficiency benefits, it can also transform a lobby into a warmer, and more inviting place to stay. See our blog, “The Benefits of Natural Light in an Office Setting” to learn why natural light is so valuable to a commercial property, and what you can do to modify your commercial building or office to have more natural sunlight.

Interior Lighting

Similar to natural lighting, interior lighting strategies also play an important part in maintaining high customer satisfaction and increasing occupancy. One current and popular trend is modern chandeliers that serve as a focal point. Also, features like properly positioned floor lamps and sconces near seating areas are effective for achieving functional and appealing interior lighting.

Seating Arrangements

if you want guests, customers, or tenants to linger for a longer period of time in your lobby, it is important to provide them areas that are meant to do just that. Not only should your lobby have several seating options, they should be arranged strategically in a way that promotes comfort, warmth, and function. They should also be arranged with several different types of seating options, such as standup tables, wall-mounted ledges with high tops stools, sofas and sectionals, cushioned chairs, loungers, and similar ideas. Seating areas should also be placed near outlets, lamps, lighting, and similar areas that provide function while seated.

Guest Conveniences

As mentioned, it is important to incorporate certain features and amenities to increase your guest satisfaction and comfort. Examples include plenty of electrical outlets, a Wi-Fi password sign, and even some electrical cords or chargers for those who require them. Another popular in modern amenity to consider for your lobby is a free beverage station that provides options like coffee, water, and juice, as well as, mugs disposable cups with lids, straws, sweeteners, and similar condiments and supplies.

Trusted Commercial Building Renovations in Indianapolis, 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 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

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