What Small Businesses Should Know Before Starting a Facility Renovation

Embarking on a renovation or facility upgrade is an exciting milestone for any small business or nonprofit. Whether you’re expanding your current space, reconfiguring operations, or preparing to move to a new location, the process can unlock new opportunities for growth. But it can also bring unexpected challenges if key steps aren’t taken early on.

Before you begin swinging hammers or signing leases, it’s important to understand what’s required to make your project successful—from zoning and permits to selecting your project team.

With the right preparation and guidance, your renovation can move forward smoothly, on time, and on budget.

Common Scenarios That Trigger Renovations

Small organizations typically start a renovation for one of three reasons:

• You’re moving to a new facility. Maybe your current space no longer meets your operational needs, or you’ve found a better location to serve your clients or customers.

• You want to expand or reconfigure your existing space. Growth in staff, programs, or services often requires physical changes to how your space functions.

• You plan to lease part of your facility to another business. This can be a great way to offset costs—but it introduces new considerations about how your operations and your tenant’s will coexist.

Each scenario requires careful planning to ensure your facility meets your goals and complies with local codes and zoning requirements.

Operations: Compatibility and Compliance

If you’re looking for a new facility or adding new operations or tenants to your current space, think beyond square footage:

• Operational compatibility: Will your daily activities align with those of your tenant? Noise levels, equipment needs, and client traffic patterns can all affect whether two businesses can successfully share a space.

• Code requirements: Different activities fall under different occupancy and building codes. For example, what’s permitted for office use may not meet requirements for food preparation or manufacturing.

• Zoning requirements: Your property’s zoning determines what types of operations are allowed. Verifying that your intended use – or your tenant’s – is permitted under local zoning plans can save costly delays later.

By confirming these details up-front, you’ll avoid surprises that could derail your project or delay occupancy.

An architect experienced with multi-use and shared spaces can help you identify potential conflicts before they become expensive obstacles.

Your Project Team: The Experts Who Make It Happen

A successful renovation requires collaboration between several professionals:

• You, the business or nonprofit owner

• Architect, who leads design, planning, and coordination

• General contractor, responsible for construction and permitting

• Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineers, who design systems essential to safe, efficient operations

• Structural engineer, who ensures the building can safely support proposed changes

• Other specialists, as needed—such as interior designers, landscape architects, or code consultants

The professionals you hire must be licensed for commercial work by the state in which your project is located.

A well-coordinated team is your best insurance against delays, cost overruns, and miscommunication. Your architect can serve as the central point of coordination to keep the process organized and your project goals on track.

Understanding Architectural and Permitting Requirements

Even small changes can trigger formal requirements:

• Any modification to a space – whether interior or exterior – requires a permit from the city or county.

• To obtain a permit, design plans must be prepared and stamped by a state-licensed architect.

• You’ll also need to retain a state-licensed general contractor before applying for the construction permit.

Skipping or delaying these steps can lead to project stoppages, fines, and expensive rework.

Having an experienced architect involved from the beginning ensures your project is properly documented and compliant.

Choosing the Right Architect

Your architect should be more than a designer. They should be your advocate and partner throughout the project. Look for someone who:

• Takes time to listen and fully understand your space needs, goals, and operational details.

• Has a partnership mindset, helping you navigate each step rather than just handing over drawings.

• Provides experienced guidance on what type of space will best support your needs and comply with local codes and zoning.

• Can recommend and coordinate qualified consultants, engineers, and contractors as needed.

At Jones Pierce Architects, we view every project as a collaboration built on transparency, communication, and trust. Our goal is to help clients reach their goals with fewer surprises and more confidence.

First Steps: Due Diligence and Viability

Before any design work begins, your architect should help you evaluate whether your project is feasible. This due diligence and viability planning includes:

• Initial consultation: Understanding your goals, vision, and constraints while identifying potential challenges early.

• Viability assessment: Evaluating existing site or building conditions, code implications, and cost factors to determine if your vision aligns with your budget and schedule.

Taking time for due diligence helps you avoid investing in a property or renovation that may not be practical or financially viable.

Learn more on this topic at The Full Value of Due Diligence and Viability Planning

What Comes Next

Once the project is confirmed to be viable, your architect will guide you through these key phases:

1. Design – Translate your goals into a clear architectural vision.

2. Pricing – Collaborate with the contractor to establish a realistic construction budget.

3. Documents – Develop detailed drawings and specifications that align with the agreed budget.

4. Permitting – Submit plans to the city or county for approval.

5. Construction – Work closely with your contractor and architect to ensure design intent and quality are maintained.

6. Stewardship – After move-in, continue working with your architect to maintain and enhance your facility’s long-term value.

Each step builds on the one before it, creating a structured process that helps you make informed decisions and keep your project on time and within budget.

Staying engaged with your architect throughout ensures the final result reflects both your goals and your investment.

Timing Matters

Project timelines depend on several factors, including the scope of work, the need for property purchase or sale, and the conditions of any existing or new lease. Early coordination with an experienced architect can help you anticipate and manage these timelines effectively, which reduces stress and prevents costly downtime.

Ready to Start a Conversation?

Whether you’re exploring a renovation, expansion, or relocation, taking time to understand what’s required before you start can make all the difference.

Jones Pierce Architects is here to guide you through every phase of the process, helping you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Let’s turn your vision into a well-planned, well-executed reality.

Contact Cooper Pierce at (404) 446-3882 or email him to schedule a consultation.