There is a separate building code that governs the renovation of income-producing properties.

• Architects and engineers who work on such projects must understand the additional requirements imposed by the commercial code — such as fire safety and water conservation standards and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.
  
  
• Contractors must have special licenses. Work crews will be larger and work will move more quickly.
  
  
• Getting a permit for a project governed by the commercial code will require much more paperwork and more detailed submittals than getting a permit to work on a residence, and the fees will be higher. There may be bonding requirements or options that the owner should be aware of too.
  
  
• Keep in mind that by definition commercial buildings are often income-producing properties used by third parties or by the public, and finding another location from which to provide the same services will be a challenge. Be Prepared! Owners of commercial buildings should be especially careful about having every detail defined, and all materials on site before they take the building out of service and put it in the hands of a contractor. The better organized the project is, the faster it will be finished.

In many cities, commercial enterprises have moved out of the downtown area into suburban industrial parks, leaving entire blocks of warehouse buildings available for an imaginative developer to turn into unusual, and sometimes upscale, housing or retail units. Since these conversions are even more difficult than a simple renovation, spend some time investigating your obstacles and opportunities before you take the plunge.

MORE INFORMATION

You’ll find lots more information about the home remodeling process in Managing a Renovation: Staying in Charge and Out of Trouble, our friendly and comprehensive homeowner’s guide to remodeling project management. Download the table of contents and a sample chapter, or go to the order form to purchase it.

We offer ready-to-use construction forms, including a complete remodeling contract, in our Bookstore, as well. Have a look.

And, you may want to look at our list of More Resources for some great design ideas.

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