The renovation of a large commercial building can be a complex undertaking. And, when it comes to updating or expanding a commercial building’s electrical foundation and infrastructure, it’s essential to have the right team of professionals on the job from day one to ensure you get the job done right the first time.
There are countless reasons why hiring the right commercial electrical contractor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when remodeling your facility. The scale of a commercial project combined with critical safety demands is more than enough reason to turn to skilled professionals. But for some project managers, knowing when and how to integrate a remodeling contractor can be more difficult to determine.
Building or Buying a New Facility
It’s always a good idea to have a skilled commercial electrician on your team from the very beginning of a project. This is because the planning stage is arguably the most important piece of your project puzzle. An experienced electrical contractor is essential to assessing an existing electrical system, determining if machinery or equipment will be feasible and foreseeing any issues that need to be ironed out before you break ground.
When electrical is thoughtfully considered from the start, it can help direct many other parts of the renovation. If you’re looking at buying a new facility, consider bringing on a commercial electrician before you complete the sale. This will ensure that you’re not moving into a building that simply won’t work for your business. It’s also important to have an electrical contractor when building a new facility, which is often the more obvious scenario.
Business Growth & Expanding Operations
During a time of growth for a business, it may be required to expand operations, and subsequently, expand the facility. Expanding a business is a sign of success. If you’re able to invest in a larger space, that means you have the sales forecast to back it up.
This probably also means that your business cannot suspend day-to-day activity during this type of expansion. Therefore, a commercial expansion has to take place alongside daily operations. Keeping business as usual while conducting a major renovation adds another layer of electrical work that must be overseen by a professional.
Knowing how to keep a business up and running while simultaneously renovating within and around that business’s operations is almost like two projects in one. You want an electrician who can keep the renovation going while integrating the original facility into the larger project. This is especially difficult when integrating data communications and facility power systems, and may impede on business as usual to make the official transition.
Upgrading an Old Electrical Panel
A one-off scenario when you may need to hire an electrician is when you need to upgrade an old electrical panel. During a commercial renovation, you may find that it’s a good time to upgrade your electrical. If your panel is from the 70s or 80s, this is a smart idea regardless of a renovation. Removing an old panel and upgrading it to a new panel will ensure your electrical system is up-to-date and prevent any outages due to old, outdated wiring.
An old electrical panel is a safety hazard, which is why it’s important to A) not replace it on your own and B) hire a professional to replace it as soon as possible.
Improving Your Carbon Footprint
There are many reasons why businesses undergo renovations. We’re always excited when that reason is that they want to run a more sustainable facility. Taking a more eco-friendly approach to the way you do business is a win-win in our opinion. Many sustainable upgrades are an investment upfront, but will save you money in the long run. Additionally, smart and sustainable choices can help reduce your carbon footprint, which can be quite large for a commercial building.
Meet with a commercial electrician prior to beginning your renovation if you’re looking to make sustainable upgrades. Of course, at Team Hawk we are also champions for less intensive ways you can conserve energy without undergoing a major renovation.
These can be integrated into any renovation even if it’s not designated to be a sustainability project. A professional electrician will always foresee ways to integrate more eco-friendly options into your project, which is why it’s also important to choose who you work with wisely.
What to Consider When Hiring an Electrical Contractor
Overall, it’s important to hire an electrical contractor who is solely focused on commercial work rather than residential. This will ensure they’re an expert in the field. In addition, it’s important to read company reviews, meet in person and ask as many questions as you can. This blog post provides additional insights when it comes to hiring a reliable commercial electrician.
Whether you are looking for a remodeling contractor in Arizona or are considering purchasing or expanding a commercial facility, give us a call here at Hawkeye Electric or contact us online today—we would love to be the team to get the job done.