5 Ways To Make Commercial Renovations Quick And Safe

Renovating a business property can be a complex and stressful undertaking. But where do you begin when planning an overhaul of a commercial space?

Finding the most suitable building contractor is pivotal to helping you see a successful renovation project through leaving you freed up to focus on improving the sustainability of your business premises or lowering energy bills. 

Are commercial property renovations ever stress-free?

Commercial properties require some additional hoops to jump through. That said, with careful planning and the right techniques, commercial renovations in the UK can be completed swiftly and safely, without causing you too many unnecessary headaches and stress. The most effective strategy you can undertake is minimising as many problems from arising as possible, and understanding the process ahead. 

Delays, obstructions and missed deadlines are all common in any renovation job, and in a commercial setting, these can be incredibly disruptive to you and your business. However, with the right methodical planning steps you can make your commercial renovation project feel less invasive than anticipated and leave you with a finished project that’ll serve you well or any local Kent business that rents your premises in the years to come.

Here are six tips for keeping your commercial renovation project on time and accident-free.

1. Use modular and durable materials

Utilising modular, durable building materials can significantly simplify and expedite the renovation process. As an example, high-quality and resilient interlocking concrete blocks are an ideal choice, as they easily and rapidly assemble into robust structures.

It’s not just concrete blocks that can be used, however. Bricks, structural steel and even reinforced timber can serve a valuable purpose in parts of a commercial building. The main factor to consider is the modular materials’ weather resistance, fire rating and load-bearing capacities.

When it comes to using modular materials from reputable manufacturers and suppliers, you can expect your appointed contractors to complete installations methodically and in accordance with relevant British and European safety standards. You can opt for high-strength options and products in tailored, bespoke sizing for any unique property development goals you may have. 

Ultimately, the modular nature of your chosen building materials allows for flexible arrangements and layouts, but it is preferable if you can agree on designs before any renovation work begins. By utilising modular materials, the early stages of structural work can be completed rapidly. This allows follow-on trades to access the site sooner and continue work for faster overall project completion.

2. Carefully plan logistics and site layout

For renovations of occupied buildings, careful logistics planning is crucial so consider:

• How will your business deliveries access the site? Are there weight, size or time restrictions to adhere to for access? 
• Can out-of-hours access be granted to minimise noise and disruption during business hours?
• Where can materials safely be stored to avoid blocking fire escapes and exit routes? 
• How will tradespeople move around the site during busy occupancy hours? Inhabitant safety should not be compromised.
• How can noise disruption be minimised for neighbours as well as occupants? Communicate accordingly.

Allow adequate access and egress that is maintained for emergency services if required. 

3. Phase works in a logical sequence

When planning the renovation work with your appointed building contractor, be sure to schedule work phases in a logical order that makes the most sense for your commercial operations. Renovation tasks typically follow this broad sequence:

• Site preparation – erect safety barriers, signage, hazmat containment, and establish power and water supplies.
• Soft strip – remove existing finishes, furniture, and fixtures ready for demolition.
• Demolition – take out existing surfaces (and walls and ceilings if necessary) back to their structural shell.
• Structural alterations – any changes to floors, walls, or roofs.
• Services upgrades – install new electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and ICT systems.
• Surface finishes – plastering, rendering, tiling, decorating, ceiling finishes.
• Fit out – installing kitchens, floor coverings, bathrooms, and lighting.
• Commissioning – test plumbing, electrics, alarms, and security systems.

Each renovation project is unique and will not follow the above steps in the same logical order. However, depending on the extent of your renovation, you can expect a process to resemble something akin to the above.

Proper work staging reduces abandoned tasks, standby time and overall programme duration. It also improves site safety by having the right tradespeople on site at the right times.

4. Coordinate specialist contractors

Certain tasks require specialist contractors, like hazardous material removal, structural alterations or service upgrades. 

Carefully coordinate these crucial contractors:

• Confirm the scope and programme of their work.
• Check licences, accreditations and insurance are valid.
• Ensure they supply proper risk assessments and method statements.
• Provide sufficient notice and updates for site access.
• Have them submit safety reports after work, like asbestos clearance certificates.

Staying on top of specialist contractors helps the project run smoothly and averts dangerous oversights.

5. Maintain safe and legal site conditions

During occupied renovations, safe site conditions must be legally maintained:

• Segregate construction areas from occupied zones with solid barriers.
• Provide alternative safe routes if normal exits are blocked.
• Ensure fire escapes remain accessible and unobstructed.
• Contain dust and fumes from spreading into occupied areas.
• Schedule noisy work for times that minimise disruption.
• Provide hazard signage and maintain adequate lighting.

Following health and safety regulations keeps risks low for both workers and occupants. This avoids potential injuries, disputes and costly legal issues.

Taking these measures will help maximise property development value and potential through an incident-free project completed promptly. With care and planning, even major renovations of occupied properties can be fast-tracked safely.

It’s evident that renovating inhabited commercial buildings brings particular time and safety challenges. 

However, by using modular materials, proper site planning, logically staging the work, installing prefinished components and coordinating specialists, commercial renovations in the UK can be completed in a well-controlled, efficient and safe manner.

What other commercial renovation tips do you have that could make projects quicker and safer? Let us know.