Commercial Remodeling in Seattle WA, and the Surrounding Area

Starting a commercial remodeling job in the Seattle area can be a daunting task. Commercial jobs usually have a long timeline, use many resources, and require knowledge of specific permits and building codes. In this article we’ve compiled important considerations when hiring commercial contractors during remodeling work.

Timelines

Commercial remodeling jobs usually take longer to complete than residential jobs and the timelines are reliant on one another. You need to know that you can trust the contractors you hire for your commercial work and have peace of mind knowing that they are well-suited for the job. Your contractors must take timelines seriously and deliver on their commitments.

Less Time Bidding 

A big part of a contractor’s work is visiting potential job sites, giving estimates, and lining up future work for his crew. Working a big job that takes longer to complete means that the contractor won’t have to spend as much time bidding potential jobs. His crew is set for the time being at the big commercial job. 

Delays 

Delays can be quite costly. If one contractor doesn’t deliver on their promises, it sets others behind, which can mean loss of business income for the building owner or higher expenses for various aspects of the project.

With a big commercial remodel there is a lot that can go wrong with the timeline. Each contractor plays a role in keeping things on track, but a remodel project could have a dozen or more parties involved, which means lots of room for delays and surprises.

You need a contractor who knows the challenges delays can present and knows ways to avoid these delays with proper planning and execution. Some common forms of delay on a commercial job are:

• Building Permits – Building permits on commercial jobs are very involved and usually take a long time to be approved. Since this process can take up to four weeks, the contractor must be aware of this and build it into their quoted timelines.
• Sub contractors – Other crews can also be a source of delay for a commercial job. They might not show up on time or work as quickly and efficiently as they are supposed to. 
• The structure being remodeled – Since remodels deal with an already existing structure, it is normal for the crew to run into delays during the job. It is common for certain aspects of the project to take longer than anticipated due to problems with the preexisting building or surprises as they get started. For example, what looks like a simple roofing project might grow to much more once the crew removes the existing materials. Underneath, there could be wood rot from waiting too long to replace the roof, allowing for leaks and damage to accumulate. The same can happen when removing siding, and you won’t want to skimp on repair work to the building’s walls as that will cost far more in the long run. Work with a contractor who knows how to look for signs of this type of damage during the quoting process.

Resources

Resources are an important part of any job and because commercial projects are on a larger scale, it means more resources are necessary. The more resources, the more opportunity there is for budgetary surprises when things don’t go according to plan.

Budget 

A building owner is committing a large sum to a romodeling project. But that doesn’t mean there is ample room in the budget for unexpected expenses or premiums for poor planning on behalf of the various contractors. Building owners want to know that contractors are skilled at quoting projects and will keep their commitments when it comes to total project costs.

Contractors who know their material partners well and stay in touch to learn of expected price surges or specials can avoid surprises for commercial building owners, even when planning projects several months in advance.

Materials

The price of materials regularly shifts as supply and demand adjusts. But skilled contractors know how to place orders, secure materials and provide more of a price guarantee for their commercial building owner clients.

But if you hire a contractor who is participating in their first commercial project, you might face surprises with material costs.

Permits and Building Codes

Being a contractor in the Seattle area means being well versed in the permits, licenses, and building codes a job requires. Make sure you’re working with contractors who know the nuances commercial projects entail.

Permits 

Although permits can be a tiresome, frustrating, and time consuming part of construction, it is a very necessary part. Knowing when a permit is required is crucial and outliniing whose responsibility those permits are is also important on large projects with many parties involved. 

Failure to obtain a permit can lead to serious consequences including a stop work order and major fines. Both of these can unnecessarily lengthen the timeline of the job and cost a lot more money than you originally budgeted. 

Spend some time learning when is a permit is usually required:

1. You’re building a new structure.
2. The plan includes altering, remodeling or demolishing a building.
3. The use of a building changes its occupancy. 

Contractors should also be knowledgeable of the specifics of the job they will be completing and what permits are necessary. Even though these areas of work are usually subbed out to subcontractors, it is often up to the general contractor to obtain the permits needed for the job. Some of the most common permits are listed below.

1. An electrical permit is needed for any electrical work being done on the job.
2. A mechanical permit is needed for heating, ventilation, or air conditioning work or installation. It is also needed to install a commercial range hood.
3. A plumbing permit is needed for any installation of or changes to the plumbing of the structure. 
4. A construction permit to establish use is needed if the building is being used for a different purpose then it was being used for previously. 
5. A construction subject to field inspection permit is needed if the building is being used for the same purpose it was before.

Building Codes 

Building codes are a set of standard requirements for building structures that contractors must legally adhere to. There are both national and local building codes and both need to be taken into consideration. However, since city codes must meet or exceed national codes, the contractor should pay more attention to the building codes of the specific city and neighborhood that he is working in. 

Building codes can have a variety of purposes. Most commonly they are used for:

1. Appearance
2. Safety 
3. Accessibility

Subcontractors

General contractors of commercial jobs often handle subcontracting out the various aspects of the job. This might mean bringing in skilled professionals in the areas of:

• Plumbing
• Electrical
• Roofing
• Siding
• Window replacement
• And more

If you’re a general contractor for a commercial project or a building owner embarking on a remodel, 2FL Windows, Siding and Roofing is a reliable contractor that is skilled in commercial roofing, siding and window replacement projects. Our team is committed to timely quoting projects, keeping to promised timelines and working with other subcontractors to complete your project as quoted. Schedule a free estimate now to get started.

Further Reading:

• Green Siding House Colors Your Neighbors Will Covet
• Considerations for Cedar Tongue and Groove Siding
• Cedar Siding in Seattle, WA, and the Surrounding Area
• Wood Look Vinyl Siding: The Appearance of Wood with the Durability and Low Maintenance of Vinyl