The Top 9 Best Building Additions and Improvements for Small Businesses


 

Building owners and operators are always looking for new ways to maximize the comfort and profitability of their office space. Managing business buildings isn’t easy, but it can be a successful and satisfying investment if you know which additions and improvements will have the most payoff.

If you want to impress prospective customers and clients, one thing you can do is ensure your small business facility looks good. Whether you own a shop, restaurant, or office building, the first thing people see is the appearance, and their impressions of your establishment only strengthen after they go inside. Whether updating an existing location or moving into a new facility, these business building additions and improvements can help your business to grow.

1. Replace the Flooring

If you have an old floor, you may have a few problems. Old floors warp over time, especially if they’re not properly maintained. You want to ensure your business is safe and functional by making some additions and improvements. Thankfully, there have been recent developments in polishing tools and techniques. For example, a concrete polisher can ensure a high sheen smoothing of concrete floors with no waxing or coating. Because of its long lifespan and low upkeep requirements, polished concrete is frequently used in busy commercial and institutional buildings. This is an excellent option if you want a gleaming, mirror-like floor but can’t afford the high cost of materials like marble or granite.

Other options to replace your concrete floor include wood, vinyl, and ceramic. Wood plank flooring is relatively inexpensive and the most popular type. Most businesses prefer wood planks because they are affordable and easy to install. However, wooden planks require stain and sealant to protect them from moisture damage. In addition, vinyl flooring is durable and comes in several styles and colors. It’s considered the best option for high-traffic areas. It’s heavy-duty and ideal for any location where people walk all day. Also, ceramic tiles are beautiful and offer durability and warmth to any space. Like vinyl, ceramic tiles are heavy-duty and won’t buckle underfoot. However, ceramic tiles require frequent maintenance with regular cleaning with soap and water to keep them clean and avoid staining.

2. Replace the Roof

It doesn’t matter how big a business is when making additions and improvements to the roof. All buildings have different needs and requirements regarding their roofs. Whether you’re looking to replace your roof, repair it, or improve its appearance, there are several reasons you should change the roof of your building. However, you need local roofing contractors to inspect the roof’s condition before making that decision. An excellent way to decide whether to replace it is to check for cracks and leaks. Also, a commercial roofer should inspect the roof’s color for fading or discoloration, which is a clear sign to replace the roof. Once you’ve examined the roof’s condition, check for structural issues such as cracked beams or broken shingles. As your business grows, you might find that your roof isn’t strong enough to stand foot traffic.

There are several roofing additions and improvements you can do for your small business. If you’re looking for a low-slope roof system that will last a long time and won’t break the bank, then built-up roofing (BUR) is the way to go. This standard tar and gravel roof contains many layers or piles to increase its strength and longevity. Another preferred roof is ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM). The single-ply rubber material is an excellent choice because of its sturdy resistance to ozone and UV radiation and its easy installation technique. It’s also adaptable, durable, and easy to maintain. In addition, buildings with green roofs have increased in popularity because of their environmental friendliness and aesthetics. They help manage water and drainage issues and increase productivity.

3. Landscape for Curb Appeal

Landscaping in front of your business can make your site more appealing to prospective clients. Most small business owners use excavating services to create driveways, sidewalks, patios, and other structural elements. However, excavation requires extensive preparation, meaning the project can last for months, if not years.

You can make several additions and improvements to your driveway by creating relaxing outdoor areas where employees can have lunch or meetings. Picnic tables are great options, while more permanent built-in seating walls are another. Plant some trees, large planters, bushes, or flowering plants in your garden. If your building has old, cracked, and ugly concrete pathways, consider replacing them with pavers. That’s because a lengthy stretch of concrete might appear too industrial. Mark main entrances, crosswalks, and other points of importance using pavers set into concrete walkways.

Also, fountains and waterfalls are excellent choices to draw attention to an entryway or to provide a pleasant environment for workers. The calming, reassuring sound of water flowing helps workers unwind after a long day at work and find some peace.

4. Upgrade the Parking Lot

Another way of making additions and improvements to your building is by upgrading your parking lot. Your parking lot’s condition may have a lasting impact on your business. Shopping malls, churches, apartment complexes, and restaurants are renowned for having poorly maintained parking areas. No one appreciates skipping potholes as they leave their car. Parking lot upkeep is vital to ensuring a safe parking area to drive on.

If you see water pools in your parking lot, you must take immediate action to stop the problems from getting worse. One way to achieve that is by doing parking lot grading. Water damage to asphalt and foundations might occur if the soil does not have the proper slope. The aim is to naturally drain the snow and rain off the parking lot and into the closest storm drain. Also, to improve the curb appeal, you can install an ev charger in the parking lot. This device can help promote global sustainability efforts of green energy. That way, more people will support your business or choose your building as an office space, depending on what kind of property you have.

5. Paint

Many people are drawn more to a facility that appears well-kept and contemporary than to one that appears neglected. If they want to enter your building, the exterior is the first thing they’ll notice. Painting the inside of your business can increase foot traffic and customer retention. Similarly, painting the exterior of a business building can increase its visual appeal. Perhaps in a decade from now, you won’t even own the same facility that you do now. If you ever have to sell your business or move out of your current building, a well-kept structure will fetch a much higher price. A new coat of paint can help your business stand out to potential customers, and it can do the same for your property.

In addition, your business establishment is a tangible representation of your brand. That means you will still impact people even if your company isn’t dependent on walk-in customers. Since pedestrians and drivers will see your building’s exterior every day, its appearance is vital in the eyes of the community. Keeping your home in good condition also shows you’re active in your neighborhood. Thus, investing in your property’s aesthetic appeal can boost your standing in the community and win over local authorities.

6. Revamp the Bathroom

The restroom is a good indicator of your business. As such, customers will become irritated if the bathroom is unclean, poorly constructed, or poorly maintained. It’s time for a remodel if your bathroom makes visitors shiver and wish they never came to the facility. Investing in a new, contemporary, renovated bathroom will pay off by enhancing comfort, the business reputation, and raising employee morale. However, this is a complex job that requires local plumbers to do.

With the current technology, 24 hour plumbers make additions and improvements to your bathroom with cost-cutting and healthful innovations. Using sensor technology, you can reduce your water consumption and save money. Thanks to sensor-activated faucets and toilet flushes, water is only released for a short period per user. You may also reduce your power cost by installing motion detectors to turn lights on only when someone is in the room. In addition, you can add hand dryers, automatic soap dispensers, and flushing toilets with sensors. Not only will you save time, but you’ll also save money on soap and paper towels by ditching the hands-on approach.

Other significant additions and improvements include having disability-friendly toilets. Good bathrooms should give those with limited mobility as much independence as possible. Fortunately, there are many options for enhancing your bathrooms so that individuals in wheelchairs and others with disabilities can move around with greater ease, safety, and autonomy. They include ensuring enough space for a wheelchair to turn within a stall and installing features like higher toilet seats, grab bars, a toilet alert system, mixer taps to prevent scorching, and a washbasin with room beneath it for those using wheelchairs.

7. Install New Lighting

Maintaining your business structure is crucial to its value, appeal, and efficiency. One of the essential aspects to think about and plan to change throughout a building improvement project is the lighting. Proper lighting has several benefits, including aesthetics, ambiance, cost savings, and efficiency. Consider using light-emitting diode (LED) lighting from lighting stores, which uses less electricity than traditional lighting options. Light bulbs that conserve as much as 90% of energy are more cost-effective, safer, and more comfortable. Because they use less power, these bulbs last much longer than their incandescent counterparts. Remember to place lighting evenly around your establishment. This will allow your customers to quickly find what they are looking for without straining their eyes.

Also, consider installing motion-activated lights if you’re concerned about your carbon footprint. It’s preferable to do this in less-frequently visited spaces, such as the restroom, storage area, or conference room. This is an excellent method for avoiding power outages during times of need and ensuring that the lights are turned off when they should be. A few well-placed pendant lights are needed to liven up a dull conference room or common area. They give a warm, comforting glow while contributing to the room’s aesthetic appeal. To adjust the brightness of these lights depending on the time of day, you may also wish to put in a dimmer switch.

8. Repair Drywall

The walls and ceilings of any business or residential building are critical structural components. Many companies use drywall for their building projects because it’s fire-resistant, energy-efficient, and affordable. However, drywall is subject to normal wear and tear, just like any other material. This can lead to even more severe issues, such as collapse. If that happens, you need to consider additions and improvements to your drywall. There are two approaches you might use when working with drywall. You can do it yourself or hire drywall contractors. However, relying on experts with the tools and experience necessary for a job is advisable because it’s a precise repair that must be done slowly and carefully. If it’s not correctly maintained, it may give your walls an unattractive and uneven finish. The repair process will involve wiping, sanding, cleaning, sealing, and painting the drywall.

9. Upgrade Your Windows

There are many reasons you should improve your building windows. Upgrading your business property’s windows protects the building against many security risks, including burglary, forced entry, and looting. You can improve the windows by adding security glazings including polycarbonate glazing shields and laminated security glass. Also, investing in the new window is a great way to boost its aesthetic impact and make it simpler to lease out space. You can transform the appearance of a building from dingy and out of date to fresh and inviting by replacing the window.

Business owners often overlook simple additions and improvements to the interior and exterior of their establishments. These upgrades can go a long way in making your establishment stand out among others. Investing in these small changes ensures that your business looks great and feels welcoming to all visitors.