Opening a new commercial facility or preparing an existing one for a grand reopening is an exciting endeavor. However, getting your commercial building project off the ground involves a myriad of tasks and considerations to ensure a successful launch. From ensuring fire protection and security to enhancing energy efficiency with commercial solar installations, each element plays a crucial role in your property’s readiness for opening day. Here is a list of things you should ensure are finished and ready for your opening day.
1. Have Your Signage Ready
No commercial building project is complete and ready for opening day without signage. Effective commercial signage is a vital component of your property’s visual identity. It serves as the first point of contact between your business and potential customers. You need to give some key considerations to your signage to ensure you will be ready for opening day.
Collaborate with a professional sign designer to create signage that aligns with your brand identity and conveys your business’s message. Ensure that signage is visible from a distance and provides essential information, such as your business name and hours of operation. Choose high-quality materials that can withstand outdoor elements and maintain their appearance over time.
Consider an illuminated sign. Illuminated signage can attract attention, especially during evening hours. Explore energy-efficient lighting options, like LED options, to reduce operating costs. A sign that is lit will make it easier for consumers to find your business.
Of course, sign design and proper placement are essential to ensure that your sign is visible, but those are not the only things to consider if you want to open your commercial building project as scheduled. Familiarize yourself with local zoning and sign regulations to avoid potential legal issues. You don’t want to have to delay the grand opening because of a signage violation.
2. Fire Safety for Your Commercial Building
Ensuring commercial facility fire protection is paramount for your employees, customers, and commercial property’s safety. During your commercial building project, there should have been discussions about fire suppression equipment, fire alarms, and other fire prevention safety features. Before you open your building, ensure you have taken all the necessary steps to prevent a fire tragedy.
Your commercial building should be outfitted with reliable fire alarm systems that detect smoke and heat and activate audible alarms. Best practices include incorporating sprinkler systems to suppress fires in their early stages. There should be exists that are clearly marked with emergency doors that are unobstructed.
Fire safety practices don’t end when the building opening is launched. These practices are ongoing. You should develop an evacuation plan. Have regular safety inspections, including having fire suppression equipment inspected semi-annually.
Most areas have strict rules about safe occupancy in commercial buildings including fire codes. It’s essential that you are familiar with these codes and ensure that your building is complying. Before you have your grand opening, you will need to have the commercial building project inspected, including a fire inspection. Be prepared to pass your inspections.
3. Evaluate Sustainability Options
The cost of operating a commercial building can be astronomical. Taking steps before your grand opening to reduce the cost of operations is always a good idea. Commercial solar installation may be just what you need to reduce your energy costs. Embracing solar energy not only reduces your operating costs but it is good for the environment.
With more consumers than ever focused on sustainability, switching to solar energy could endear you to more consumers. Solar panels generate clean, renewable energy that can significantly reduce electricity costs. Depending on your location, you may be eligible for tax incentives and rebates for installing solar panels.
Partner with a reputable solar installation company with experience in commercial projects. Evaluate your property’s solar potential and choose the most suitable system size. Integrate solar energy into your overall energy strategy to maximize savings and reduce dependence on the grid. Explore energy storage solutions for power backup during outages.
Showing your company’s commitment to sustainability by using solar energy for all or part of your energy needs can be a great way to define your corporate culture. Of course, the savings and potential tax benefits are also a great reason to consider taking this step during your commercial building project. Consumers will appreciate the effort.
4. Have a Reliable Cleaning Staff
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, people have become hyper aware of how important hygiene is. Consumers and others will judge your commercial building project based on the cleanliness of the building. Likewise, they will also make decisions about your business based on the cleanliness of the building.
It’s essential that your building is set up for success before your grand opening. A commercial janitor service can ensure your building is spotless and ready for the grand opening. Maintaining a clean and hygienic environment is essential for both employee well-being and customer satisfaction.
Work with a commercial cleaning contracting service to develop a customized cleaning plan tailored to your facility’s specific needs for now and the future. Consider scheduling regular deep cleaning sessions in addition to daily maintenance. Ensure proper disposal of commercial waste, including hazardous materials, to comply with environmental regulations. Use eco-friendly cleaning products and practices to minimize environmental impact.
Focus cleaning on high-traffic areas, such as entryways, restrooms, and common spaces, to maintain a positive first impression. Ensure that the janitors sanitize frequently touched surfaces, especially during flu seasons and health crises. Consumers and employees will appreciate your efforts at keeping your commercial property clean and hygienic.
5. Have You Considered Fencing?
A commercial building project has a lot of working parts to ensure that it comes together perfectly. However, don’t lose sight of the basic needs of your building. For example, don’t forget to contact a commercial fencing contractor to upgrade the security of your property. Commercial fencing serves multiple purposes, including security, privacy, and esthetics.
When you meet with the contractor before opening day, choose fencing materials and designs that provide security without compromising visual appeal. Consider adding anti-climb features or automated gates with access control systems for enhanced security. Automated gates offer convenience and control access to your property. Access control systems can include keycard, key fobs, or digital entry codes.
Develop a maintenance plan with your fencing contractor to address issues promptly, such as loose panels or damaged gates. Regularly inspect fencing for signs of wear and tear, especially after severe weather events. Ensuring that your fence is well-maintained is essential to keeping up with the esthetics of your building.
Commercial fencing can give your building a more exclusive feel. Consumers and employees will feel more confident and safer being in the building. Before opening day, consider installing a fence as part of your commercial building project.
6. Are You Maximizing Natural Light?
We talked about sustainable energy options and how solar panels may be a good choice, but there is an easier choice. The right commercial glass service can help you to maximize natural light and cut back on energy costs. Commercial glass that is designed to be energy efficient while allowing the natural light to flood the building can be an excellent choice for your commercial building project.
On opening day, you want people to be enamored with the style of the building and be able to see all the features that have been incorporated. Work with a provider that can provide energy-efficient windows that reduce heat transfer and UV radiation. Consider using low-emissivity (low-E) glass to minimize energy loss.
Have safety glass installed in areas where safety is a concern, such as glass doors or windows in high-traffic areas. Safety glass is designed to minimize the risk of injury in case of breakage. Address any cracked or broken glass promptly to maintain a safe and visually appealing environment.
If your commercial building project is a renovation and not a new build, don’t forget to upgrade the windows. Upgrade old or inefficient windows to improve insulation and energy efficiency. Of course, new windows will allow natural light to illuminate the workspace.
7. Reliable Electrical Systems
Today’s modern world requires a modern approach to electrical systems to ensure that the needed power is available. Reliable electrical systems are essential for a safe and functional commercial facility. Work with an electrician that is certified and experienced before your grand opening.
We briefly touched on the topic of building codes when we discussed signage. Electrical systems have one of the most stringent building codes. An electrical system failure is not an option for any commercial building. An electrical system that is not up to code is a fire hazard, which can end in tragedy.
Explore backup power options, such as generators or uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), to maintain critical operations during power outages. Regularly test and maintain backup power systems to ensure their functionality both before your opening day and as you move forward. Schedule electrical inspections to identify potential hazards and ensure compliance with electrical codes. Address any issues related to wiring, outlets, and circuits promptly.
If you discover electrical system errors, it is essential that those errors are addressed before your grand opening. The risk of causing a serious problem by ignoring electrical problems is very real. You could go from preparing for your opening day to standing before a grand jury to defend your decision to open with electrical problems. Get the support of a professional to ensure your electrical system is safe.
8. Double Check Your Roof
There is a lot of pressure to get things done during a commercial building project. Sometimes, that pressure means that corners are cut that should not be cut. Check your roof for reliability and stability. That is not to say that commercial roofing services are known for cutting corners; they are not, but you should still check your roof.
A roof system for a commercial building is charged with protecting every other system in the building. It is essential that your roof is safe, reliable, durable, and ready to protect the structure. A quick evaluation of the roof before grand opening day is a good idea. Even if it is only for your own peace of mind.
A stable roof protects your investment and ensures a leak-free interior. If your commercial building project was a renovation and not a new build, it is especially important to check your roof for any damage or necessary repairs. An annual inspection should be part of your building maintenance.
A good once-over of your roof can help you have peace of mind and ensure your building is safe for your grand opening. If you discover during the once-over that your roof needs some repairs. It is essential that you address repairs before you open the building to the public.
9. ADA Accessibility to Your Building
In most localities there are regulations that require each commercial building to have dedicated parking and access for the handicap and mobility challenged. To get your commercial building ready for opening, you will need to have any necessary commercial pavement repair completed. As part of your commercial building project, it is essential that you have clearly marked handicap parking spots.
The condition of your exterior pavement contributes to your property’s overall safety and appearance. Ensure that your parking lot and walkways comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide accessibility for all visitors. Make necessary modifications, such as installing ramps to ensure that everyone can enjoy your new building.
By addressing each of these considerations comprehensively and collaborating with professionals in their respective fields, you can create a safe, efficient, and welcoming environment for employees and customers alike. You can make a great first impression by ensuring that your building is “guest-ready”. Learn more about having a successful grand opening.