For many business owners, having to close up shop is their worst nightmare (even if temporarily). Yet, businesses sometimes need basic repairs and the occasional larger renovation in order to attract the right clientele and to provide them with amazing experiences. These repairs, remodels, and renovations almost always require you to work with a contractor – and often require you to shut down temporarily.
The latter isn’t always true. A common myth is that all construction projects require a business to close their doors. In reality, there are many times when a commercial contractor can work while your team is in the office or around your business’ operating hours. Continue reading to determine if you can stay open during your upcoming commercial renovation project in Virginia.
Can you stay open during a commercial renovation?
In case we haven’t stated it enough yet, you can stay open while working with a contractor. Depending on your business, “open” will look different:
- For Centerville Commerce Park, staying open meant they could continue to rent to their tenants while having a water meter replaced.
- AAMCO in Chesapeake, Virginia continued to operate while their contractor fixed the exterior of their building.
- McCormick Law operated on regular hours while they renovated their break room and conference room.
- Get Air Virginia Beach kept their customers jumping (literally) while installing a new wipe out machine.
For all three projects, the key to staying open was that the projects were smaller or on the exterior of the building. However, it is possible to remain open during a larger project, if a contractor is efficient at scaffolding the project into smaller parts.
Bay Lakes Retirement Community knew it was time to renovate their resident’s rooms, but they couldn’t shut down the entire assisted living community at once. Fortunately, Carlton Building Service divided up the project and completed about five to ten rooms at a time when one resident left and before another moved in. The entire project took years to complete, yet Carlton Building Services uses the same finishings, cabinets, and other materials for all residents’ rooms.
Signs staying open is the right choice
So, when should you stay open while completing a renovation? The list below isn’t definitive, but it does cover many scenarios when construction and business as usual coincide:
- The work only requires minor repairs.
- It’s a larger project that you can scaffold into smaller parts.
- The project is on the exterior of your building.
- You can relocate staff and/or clients and customers while the renovation takes place.
- Your operating hours leave enough room for a contractor to work around them–or you can scale back hours temporarily.
You also want to make sure your contractor has experience completing projects at commercial locations that remain open – and that they’ve mastered the art of minimal disruption (aka not disturbing your business operations because their team is respectful, efficient, and as quiet as construction can be).
Signs closing is the right option
Even with the best contractor out there, it won’t be possible to remain open through every single renovation. If you’re adding an ice hockey rink to your building, for example, there’s a good chance you’ll have to close while the contractor completely remodels the space.
Sometimes it also makes sense to close up shop if you have a slow season. Ruff House Stay and Play in Virginia Beach decided to do this and coordinated with Carlton Building Services to complete the renovation during their slower season.
It also may make sense to “close” if you haven’t opened yet. This was the case for Kawaii Corner, who wanted to make sure their space at Lynn Haven Mall was the best it could be before their grand opening. Their contractor did an efficient job, finishing on time and on budget so Kawaii Corner could welcome the line of shoppers waiting outside their shop on their opening day.
A contractor for either decision
Whether it makes sense to stay open or close up shop during your construction project, your business deserves a high quality contractor who will finish the job on time and on budget. If you’re in the Virginia Beach, Hampton Roads, Newport News, or Cheapseake Virginian areas, consider contacting Carlton Building Services for a free estimate.
Whether you’re in this area or not, there are some green flags to look for in a contractor, including:
- Good at communicating
- An excellent track record of successful renovations
- Can stay on budget and to finish on time
- Understands your business’ vision
- Has a clear, easy-to-understand proposal for your project
Plus, if you’re still on the fence about whether to stay open or close during a commercial renovation project in Virginia, your contractor can help walk you through the pros and cons in your situation and choose the right option for your business.
