The best piece of advice to remember when considering a remodel is: Always, always, always have a plan. When you’re in a hurry to upgrade or improve your office building, it’s tempting to want to take matters into your own hands - but this leads to costly mistakes more often than not. Something as simple as forgetting to turn off your water main or using the wrong tools results in massive flooding and water damage to your building, costing you much more than it would have had you hired a professional. 

Begin with a design. A talented builder understands your aesthetic and helps you design your perfect remodel plan. A lot of elements interact within a space — put them all down on paper and problems are caught before they are built. Some projects require the skill of an architect, some the skill of an interior designer, and the simplest way to tie them all together is with the help of a skilled contractor.

Be open to suggestions. Your ideas are vital to the success of your remodeling project, so why not consider alternative methods of achieving them? Suggestions made by your contractor should include methods for better functionality, lower long-term savings, insurance standards for materials, and more. Be sure to ask questions regarding suggestions until you fully understand how they benefit you, not how they make the contractor more money.

Determine which features can be and should be saved. If your building’s system controls,  mechanical units, or lobby lighting were recently replaced or updated, find out how to seek an Energy Star rating. This is an indication that your building has lower energy consumption than other buildings of the same type and size. This lets potential occupants or tenants know that they can expect lower utility expenses.

Focus on both the inside and the outside. First impressions are everything. You want your clients to remember both the inside and outside aesthetic appeal of your building. Landscaping and seasonal flowers easily freshen up the outside, while simple solutions to the inside come in the form of new carpet patterns and colors, up to date finishes in the elevators, restrooms and lobbies.