There’s no telling what you might come across during a commercial construction project. While much of what you’ll find will need to be thrown out, replaced or upgraded, you might also find a few things that can be reused. Even better, this reuse can also decrease commercial construction costs. This is why it’s always smart to reuse as many materials as you can to keep construction costs down. In this post, we’ll tell you how you can save significantly on your commercial construction project with the strategic reuse of items in the existing structure.
Whether you’re updating a restaurant, retail store, or office space, costs must be factored into your planning process. However, not everything has to be brand new. Sometimes it’s just a matter of knowing what existing parts of a building can be reused or recycled. Here are a few.
PLUMBING
Plumbing costs can definitely drive up the costs. Particularly if the entire system is ripped up, overhauled, or replaced. The good news is, depending on your plans for the existing space, the current plumbing might be perfectly fine.
This is especially true if the bathrooms are fine where they are. If the location of the current bathrooms makes sense, they don’t need to be moved and the plumbing system as it is can stay intact; assuming the pipes are in good condition.
HVAC UNITS
Many times, a building’s current HVAC unit is in fine working condition and can be reused regardless of the renovations the space needs. You’d be surprised by how much money this can save you during office, restaurant, or retail construction. At a very nominal cost, you can have a building’s existing HVAC system checked to verify its age and condition. Any good Los Angeles commercial general contractor has an HVAC guy that can be called upon to do this.
FLOORING
Concrete or hardwood flooring can often be retained. They might just need a bit of a facelift, which can easily be done with a new stain.
ELECTRICAL PANELS & SERVICE
Unless we’re dealing with a terribly outdated system and wiring, most electrical panels and wiring systems won’t need to be changed out unless the power component changes. Just be sure to have a certified electrician take a look at it. In most cases, they can build on the current electrical wiring system to suit your needs.
FURNITURE
If you’re moving from one location to another, you don’t necessarily have to scrap all of your current furniture for new. While we understand wanting to improve or update your look to fit your vision for the new space, much of what you have is still very usable. Bookshelves, file cabinets, and office desks can typically be comfortably integrated into your new digs.