Commercial interior construction is the process of building the interior of a newly constructed commercial space or renovating an existing space to make it functional for future tenants. Also known as interior build-out or tenant fit-out/improvement, it offers companies an opportunity to personalize their commercial buildings and express their brand identity.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics market research, the job market in the interior design industry is expected to rise by 5% between 2018 and 2028. The growing inclination of property owners towards energy-efficient designs and green building features is one of the reasons behind the influx in the design market share.
An interior build-out project requires collaboration between the architect, interior designer, and general contractor. Your company should partner with an interior construction contractor that offers a ‘design-build‘ project delivery method, as it integrates both design and construction services into a single contract. By streamlining project delivery, an interior design and construction company improves collaboration, reduces costs, and speeds up completion.
Let’s first understand the difference between three types of interior construction or renovation professionals:
General Contractors
- A commercial general contractor (GC) essentially undertakes construction-based tasks.
- Following your scope of work, the GC draws up blueprints for the space’s layout and develops solid construction plans.
- From handling plumbing, electrical, HVAC, carpentry, and ceiling requirements to hiring subcontractors and acquiring building permits, general contractors are responsible for overall project management.
- If you have an interior designer, the GC will coordinate with them, or else, procure interior design services from an independent firm.
- A general contractor also assists in budget planning and suggests cost-effective solutions that are code-compliant.
Interior Designers
- Clients who need creative design services to build out or renovate their commercial space should hire an interior designer.
- After considering your location, architectural style, and design preferences, interior designers produce suitable floor plans, vision boards, and 3D sketches.
- An interior design company mainly focuses on the aesthetic features of a construction project, for example, furniture, furnishings, wallpapers, color palettes, fabrics, materials, fixtures, etc.
- As a team member, an interior designer will collaborate with your commercial contractor and provide design solutions fitting your budget and structure.
- For instance, if the interior designer plans special lighting fixtures for your retail store, the contractor will assess if the installation of these fixtures is feasible. They will also determine their electrical needs and budget impacts.
Interior Design and Construction Companies
- Amalgamating two services, design and construction, an interior design-build company, also known as an interior construction contractor, provides clients with a one-stop solution for all their needs.
- Because interior contractors use a ‘design-build’ project delivery method, the risk is evenly distributed and leads to a smoother project schedule.
- When you are partnering with an interior design and construction company, you get an in-house team working under a unified contract, which creates a single point of responsibility for all.
- As both design and build teams work towards achieving a common goal, it potentially helps clients decrease their overall project costs.
- Communication is streamlined and there is early troubleshooting for arising problems.
Though their creative mastery elevates the aesthetics of your building shells, interior construction contractors are also expected to possess knowledge of structure. Let’s discuss in detail the meaning, role, and responsibilities of interior construction contractors.
Commercial Interior Contractor Meaning
A contractor who specializes in constructing and renovating the interior of commercial spaces including offices, hospitals, retail stores, and restaurants is referred to as a commercial interior contractor.
Instead of hiring multiple specialty contractors, business owners partner with a single interior contracting firm to complete all interior finishes.
The main function of these commercial interior construction contractors is to decorate the space with trending design themes and manage the construction process in such a way that it becomes a convenient place for tenants to operate. Interior contractors perform reconfiguration of existing spaces to make them more desirable and leaseable in today’s market.
Benefits of Hiring a Commercial Interior Contractor
Interior contractors work together with architects, contractors, interior designers, and other professionals to transform building shells into decorated spaces for tenants. Today, we see an increasing number of clients preferring the design and build method over the traditional process of hiring the architect and general contractor separately.
That is because design-build interior projects offer multiple benefits to business owners such as:
1. Faster Delivery Speed
Since the level of design control is in the hands of the interior construction contractor, the construction work begins earlier on the site. Communication is usually quicker within the team and budgets are more easily met. Therefore, construction and project delivery speed is much faster from conception to completion than conventional methods.
2. Enhanced Project Quality
Working with an interior fit-out contractor significantly provides better quality than the separate, often conflicting architect/designer vs. contractor approach. An interior construction contractor interior has responsibility for performance, so is motivated to provide high-quality service without diluting the essence of the design.
3. Smooth Communication
In an interior contracting company, a project’s design decisions and budgetary goals are formed simultaneously, allowing for smooth communication and effective implementation between all parties. This communication between the commercial general contractor and interior designer is extremely helpful in the construction process. This way, with all employees working together the business owner has easy access to the project team throughout its development.
4. Higher Cost Savings
In interior fit-out projects, commercial contractors share their extensive knowledge about the cost of purchasing and installing materials with design professionals during the design phase of the project. This exchange of experience translates into lower costs which leads to significant cost savings for the project owner. Budgeting during the design phase also minimizes overruns caused by change orders implemented by the owner.
5. Scope for Last-minute Changes
When you are decorating your commercial space through an interior contractor company, you can make changes without affecting costs. As a client, you get maximum interaction with day-to-day construction activities. This method is most suitable for clients who want to commence construction of the building shell while still deciding what the tile pattern and the wall paint will look like.
6. Hassle-free Payments
Clients do not have to settle multiple invoices or payments with interior build-out contractors. As you deal with a single interior solution provider, there is no need to stress about numerous vendors, negotiations, and quotes. Additionally, with one interior construction contractor, you can expect fewer overheads as there will be no unforeseen additional invoices.
Commercial Interior Construction Services
A large portion of commercial interior contracting work consists of interior tenant improvements and fit-outs. From demolition of previous finishes, redesigning, to building interiors from scratch, interior construction companies execute and maintain control over all the different phases of the interior project.
Following are several commercial interior installations that come under interior construction services:
- Demolition of Existing Structures
- Complete Reconstruction and Renovation
- Metal Stud Framing
- Drywall Hang/Finish
- Doors, Windows, and Hardware
- Acoustical Ceilings and Sound Panels
- Casework and Millwork
- Floor Coverings
- Rough and Finish Carpentry
- Custom-built Cabinetry
- Ceramic Tile and Stone
- Paint and Wall Coverings
- Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems
- Custom Retail Finishes
- Addition of washrooms
- Universal washrooms
- Accessibility Features as per ADA
- US Department of Defense Secure Areas
Responsibilities of Commercial Interior Contractor
The design-build contractor for interior design is basically a general contractor. They are responsible for undertaking both the design and construction work on a project, for an agreed lump-sum price. Hence, interior construction contractors remain the primary contact and primary force behind all the project work.
Here are the major responsibilities an interior construction contractor usually shoulders:
1. Directing the Project Team
In a contractor-led interior project, the main contractor will appoint their own in-house team or partner with qualified design elements from independent design professional firms to complete the project. For pre-construction, it’s the contractor’s job to bring architects, interior designers, engineers, and code specialists under one roof.
The commercial interior contractor will also be directing the engineer and architect in product selection. A team of internal decision-makers will interpret the client’s requirements and brief the specifiers. To remain profitable, they ensure that building work is not delayed by a lack of product availability and that product cost remains within the estimate.
2. Code Review & Obtaining Approvals
Interior contractors are responsible for obtaining owner approval of code-compliant design that meets the criteria documents. At the start of the project, they provide qualification proposals and initial renderings to demonstrate their vision of compliance with the criteria documents. They have to share compliance information and agree on associated costs with the owner.
Any interior construction contractor reviews codes to understand the impact of government rules and regulations on the building’s interior construction and design. The project must follow special guidelines while constructing public spaces like schools, government offices, and courthouses, imposed by law, for example,
- Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Compliance with local fire codes
- Compliance with local and state health and food service rules
- Compliance with energy efficiency standards like LEED certification and Energy Star
3. Point-of-Contact
The commercial interior contractor acts as the primary point-of-contact for all working employees and clients. They are responsible for communicating clearly and regularly with the owner on project status and any changes.
Thus, the interior construction contractor plays a key role in maintaining open channels of communication with clients, designers, and subcontractors from planning to construction to completion. Working together, this team of professionals ensures that the project is completed to the specifications of the client.
4. Coordinating Tasks
The interior construction contractor’s principal responsibility in a building project is to coordinate construction tasks to ensure that the project is completed on time and within the estimated budget. They will plan, lead, execute, supervise, and inspect the project throughout the construction process. If any last-minute modifications arise, the contractor drafts changes and completes the ‘punch list‘. Because a commercial interior contractor is cost-driven, the project generally stays on budget.
5. Holding Accountability
The interior construction contractor is responsible for the building means, methods, techniques, safety practices, and precautions of everyone working on the project. It is their obligation to oversee the whole project, including the quality of the design, the look of the final product, the total cost, and when construction will be completed. Since commercial interior contractors are responsible for every aspect of the project, clients view them as the single resource to turn to with any questions or feedback about the construction project.
Hiring one interior construction company means minimizing friction while simultaneously maximizing efficiency and accountability for the entirety of your project. This increases your chances of success as a result.
Interior Design Case Study
High-Class, Modern Office Design – Chicago
Brief
The company wanted a contemporary design scheme for their head office and a complete renovation of the office interior. The look and feel of the space should match their modern approach to business. The hired interior construction contractor has a blank canvas as they stripped out the existing floor coverings, window blinds, kitchen units, and various styles of office furniture.
Solutions
- The design team chose a monochrome furniture theme to create a minimalist feel. The top desks were given walnut-finish and white extension pedestals with side pulls instead of handles. This was offset with a dark grey charcoal carpet fitted throughout to complement the monochromatic furniture. For executive office-style sitting, they sourced stylish black leather chairs that have black mesh backs.
- A sound-proof partitioning was built, double-glazed with a simple frosting. Its white aluminum framework complemented the furniture as did the classy walnut-finish office doors.
- The boardroom is provided with a curved granite finish table with black leather chairs. Walls are decorated with Vinyl graphics and a full-height B&W photo.
- For the staff kitchen area and relaxation space, the interior construction contractor designed a spacious walnut block breakfast bar and black plastic stools. The kitchen cabinets had a white gloss finish with satin stainless steel handles.
Result
By selecting a minimalist color palette, intelligent furniture choices, and large area surfaces for convenience, the interior design and construction team was successful in planning the layout and designing high-class office interiors without going over budget.
Conclusion
Whether you design your residential building or corporate office, nothing exudes your identity more than interior design. It is a very effective strategy for making a statement. Partnering with an interior construction contractor offers the advantage to combine the construction process and design works under one team. Right from concept planning to post-construction, an interior construction contractor provides you with everything at one destination without having to engage with multiple vendors.
Partner With Us
Our commercial interior construction services at Constructive Solutions, Inc. are exceptional because we deliver our clients’ projects in a timely manner, performing interior building services with the highest level of quality, and profiting from the budget to the fullest. Our dedication to providing the finest interior build-out services reflects in the extensive number of long-term client relationships we maintain.
If you want our help designing your commercial interior space, get in touch with us today.
FAQs
What’s the difference between an interior designer and a contractor?
Interior designers are design experts whereas contractors look after the execution of the project.
How to ensure that I hire the most suitable interior professional for my project?
Whether you hire an interior designer, general contractor, or interior construction contractor, research their past work, credentials, testimonials, and relevant experience. Ask your friends or relatives for quality recommendations.
What is the cost of an interior construction contractor in the United States?
On average, interior design-build companies in the United States charge between $70 to $270 per square foot for interior construction services.
Relevant Resources:
Constructive Solutions, Inc. is a full-service commercial construction company serving San Francisco and Bay Area.
Whatever your vision, we have the resources, experience, and insight to make your concept a reality, and a space where your business can flourish.
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