Tag: office construction

Categories
Office Design Office Renovation

Why You Should Choose a Turnkey Contractor for Your Project

turnkey contractor
turnkey contractor

Commercial office renovations, especially if they are design/build, involve a variety of complex components that must be managed. The process of making and sticking to a budget, hiring the right subcontractors and maintaining a realistic deadline and schedule is often complicated and always time-consuming. Here’s why you should hire a turnkey contractor for your next project instead of trying to tackle things on your own:

To Save Time

A turnkey contractor designs, builds and manages a construction project. Hiring one means property owners don’t have to waste time researching, interviewing and hiring architects, individual construction tradesmen or sub contractors, project managers, site supervisors, furniture and material vendors and more. Instead, they can work with one firm to coordinate and execute everything.

To Save Money

As people say, “time is money,” and because hiring a turnkey contractor saves you time, it definitely saves you money. Hiring a dedicated partner to manage all your project’s moving parts helps streamline communication and proactively identify and solve potential problems before they lead to costly delays.  It is vitally important for your project to remain on schedule, especially if any delay could cause interruption to production or paying exorbitant rent prices to occupy multiple buildings during an office move.  In most instances, a turnkey contractor has relationships with other building professionals that allow them to negotiate better prices for materials and services than you would working by yourself.

Improved Quality

Expertise breeds excellence. A turnkey contractor has experience that improves the quality of your overall project. Because one person (or firm) is acting as the turnkey contractor for your project, the various stages of your renovation or new build will be held to and judged by the same standards. The result: a consistent, high caliber of work.

Less Stress

Of course, one of the biggest reasons to choose a turnkey contractor is to reduce the amount of stress associated with renovations and new builds. Construction of any type often inspires anxiety and tension for property owners. Being displaced from your normal setting and worrying about projected costs, coupled with a lack of privacy and security, can leave you worried about how everything will sort itself out. Indeed, lack of control is generally cited as the number one cause of anxiety and depression for all people. Passing control to a turnkey contractor allows property owners, specifically, to quit worrying about the small details of a project, thus reducing their stress!

The Key Interiors Advantage

A turnkey contractor is a valuable asset for businesses wanting to get the most out of their next renovation or new office build. At Key Interiors, our team of in-house design and construction experts has decades of experience executing full-turnkey design/build/furnish projects for industrial and commercial clients of all sizes.  Our ability to provide office furniture in addition to full-scale design and construction services sets us apart from most other general construction firms.  To learn more about using Key Interiors as a turnkey contractor for your next project, please contact us today.

Categories
Office Design Office Renovation

4 Things to Know About Mezzanine Office Construction

mezzanine office
mezzanine office

Effective use of space impacts everything from a company’s organizational functionality to the physical comfort of the people who come in and out of its office doors. Indeed, when planned appropriately, a company’s office — particularly its physical layout — boosts employee morale, minimizes operational costs and safeguards future plans for growth. It makes sense, then, that businesses be ever on the lookout for ways to amplify the value of any existing office space. In many instances, building a mezzanine office is a creative and relatively inexpensive way to exploit space that otherwise might be unused and, thus, wasted. Here’s what you should know about mezzanine office construction before you decide if it could be an option for your own commercial space needs:

But First, What is a Mezzanine Office?

A mezzanine office is an intermediate floor between the ground and first floors (or ground and ceiling) of a building. It is a common feature of many warehouses and other industrial settings, but it can be added in other types of buildings, too, as it is a great way to maximize vertical space.

What You Need to Consider

While it’s possible to add a mezzanine office to buildings with unused space between the ground and first floors, it’s only a good solution when doing so adds tangible benefit to a corporation’s overall goals. To help you assess the value of this type of office in relation to your company’s own objectives, think about:

  • Access — A mezzanine office is elevated, so you’ll need to figure out how employees, visitors and other guests coming into your space will access it. Stairs and lifts will undoubtedly be necessary, as will a plan for emergency escape. Will having these types of additional access points to locations in your office unnecessarily slow your organization’s workflow? If so, how will that affect your company’s overall efficiency?
  • Usage — Mezzanine offices can be used to warehouse people or things or both, and construction specifications will differ accordingly. For example, a mezzanine office that will be used to store products will likely need to be built using different supports than one being used primarily by employees or supervisors. Working with a licensed designer or engineer can help you determine the construction criteria demanded by your office’s intended use.
  • Strategic Plan — Companies need to examine their strategic plans before they embark on mezzanine office construction. It may not make sense to build this type of office at an existing location if you know you’re slated to outgrow it in just a few years. Likewise, having a good grasp on possible growth opportunities will help you determine whether or not it’s worthwhile to build a mezzanine office in such a way now that it could be easily modified later.
  • Code Requirements — As with any commercial construction, a mezzanine office must conform to certain codes and requirements. In addition to individual state building regulations, both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and The International Building Code (IBC) mandate specific requirements depending on the overall purpose of the mezzanine itself. It’s important to check with a trusted contractor to ensure all rules and regulations are followed when building a mezzanine office.

The Key Interiors Advantage

Ensuring (and securing) space for people to work, gather and store supplies is one of the best ways for businesses to improve productivity and maximize their ROI. To learn more about building a mezzanine office in your own workplace, please contact the design team at Key Interiors. Our experience can help you determine the benefits and drawbacks of adding a mezzanine office to your own space and navigate the various code requirements should you choose to build.

Categories
Collaborative Workspace Office Design Office Renovation

The Benefits of Hoteling Office Space

hoteling office space
Architectural Photography by Norman Sizemore & Mary Beth Price
hoteling office space

Convenience and productivity are buzzwords in today’s business world. Employees want one, and employers demand the other. While each might seem at odds with the other, neither needs to be sacrificed and both can exist simultaneously. Indeed, the world’s recent pandemic has done nothing if not taught us that people can work wherever and whenever they want and still yield valuable, profitable and efficient results. Take a look at how one trending commercial design feature — hoteling office space — can improve your company’s culture, as well as its bottom line:

What is Hoteling Office Space?

Hoteling office space refers to the current trend in office management that allows employees to schedule the use of certain resources and/or an actual desk, cubicle or conference room at the company office. It’s a novel concept designed by organizations to maximize employees’ time and productivity while still allowing them the convenience and flexibility of working in the office only when they need or want to be on-site.

Why Hoteling Office Space is Becoming So Popular

Since the start of the pandemic, more employees are splitting their time between home and office. With fewer employees working in-house full-time (current estimates put the typical office just over 40% occupied at any given time), companies simply don’t want — or need — to designate a desk or office to a person who probably won’t be there to use it half of the time. To address this marked decline in office utilization, companies have created a way for employees to “reserve” office space so that they can work from home but still have the opportunity to set up shop and spread out their things when necessity dictates they work in the office or directly among their colleagues.


Unlike hot-desking, hoteling office space allows workers to reserve a specific space within the office to use on a certain day and for a set amount of time. It’s the same principle used by travelers when they reserve and are, therefore, guaranteed a hotel room to use while on a trip. Hoteling office space is so popular because:

  • It’s Convenient — Employees can work remotely, but they still have the option to come to a designated workspace and have equipment waiting for them to use when needed. This is especially beneficial for employees who work for companies with offices in multiple cities or locations since it permits them to travel easily around the world with little disruption to their routines or available support.
  • It Increases Productivity — Hoteling office space encourages collaboration, which increases productivity. Rather than having rooms (or station/cubicles) and resources that are always restricted to certain people and/or that must be shared among 100% of employees each day, companies have an abundance of space and equipment that can be shared among only the people who choose to be on-site at any given time.
  • It Saves Money — Real estate is expensive. Hoteling office space means companies can increase headcount without having to expand their physical campus.
  • It Improves Morale — Employees appreciate the flexibility that hoteling office space affords and, therefore, are usually more excited to work (whether it be in the office or remotely)!

Want to Learn More?

Hoteling office space is a growing trend that benefits employees and employers alike. It’s a convenient and profitable solution for companies that want to maximize their space and budgets while still protecting one of their most valuable assets: their employees. To learn more about how to implement office hoteling solutions at your own place of work, please contact our design team at Key Interiors.

Categories
office construction Office Design Office Renovation

Things to Consider When Choosing Your Chicago General Contractor

chicago general contractor
chicago general contractor

Finding the right general contractor is perhaps the single most important part of an office renovation. Unfortunately, it can also be the hardest. According to Zippia.com, there are more than 36,000 general contractors in the United States. That’s a lot of possible contractors to consider. And even when you focus on a single location or state, there are frequently still thousands of options. For instance, there are more than 6,000 general contractors in the Chicago area alone! With so many choices, how do you find a general contractor that is experienced, reliable and available that is also able to ensure your project stays on schedule and within budget? Here’s what you need to consider, whether choosing a Chicago general contractor or one in your own city or state:

Service Area

Have you ever picked up the phone to order take-out only to discover the meal you want can’t be delivered in your area? It’s a bummer, right? Save yourself the disappointment by searching only for contractors working in your specific area. Big cities like Chicago often have a website where you can find information about local businesses and professionals, including contractors. You could also try narrowing your search using other databases and media sources, such as BBB or Yelp. Limiting your initial search to your general area will save you time and frustration.

Licensure and Insurance

General contractors may or may not be required to have a license based on the state and/or city in which they work. The State of Illinois, for example, doesn’t require general contractors to have a license. Nevertheless, the City of Chicago does. Thus, any general contractor working in Chicago must be registered and licensed appropriately according to the type of project at hand:

  • Class A – Unlimited contract amount
  • Class B – up to $10,000,000
  • Class C – up to $5,000,000
  • Class D – up to $2,000,000
  • Class E – up to $500,000

Check state regulations, as well as the rules in individual municipalities and cities, to verify if any special licensure is needed in your area. (You can check individual contractors in Illinois here.) If licensure is required, ask for proof that any potential contractor does, indeed, possess it. While you’re at it, ask about insurance, as well! You don’t want to find someone you think is perfect for a job only to discover later on that his or her business isn’t operating legally.

Qualifications

Typically, the more experience, the better. Once you have a relevant pool of Chicago general contractors, look for the ones who have been in business for several years (at a minimum) and have a sizable portfolio, as well as a lot of references. You want to make sure the Chicago general contractor you hire has the qualifications and expertise to actually bring your vision to life. Past clients who can speak about their own experiences with a contractor can help you determine the reliability, customer service and quality of that contractor’s work.

Bids

Seek bids from multiple Chicago general contractors before making a final decision. Review each contractor’s demeanor to see if your communication styles, personalities, timelines and priorities match one another. Sometimes a more expensive bid is worth it if everything just clicks! Other times, an exorbitant bid might indicate something fishy.

Contract

Finally, get a contract. Don’t rely on a handshake or goodwill. A renovation or construction project is a major undertaking. Protect yourself by securing a legally-binding agreement with a Chicago general contractor that specifies (among other things):

  • Address of Project
  • Anticipated Start and Finish Dates of the Project
  • Proposed Construction Schedule
  • Cost and Payment Schedule
  • Responsibility for the Acquisition of Permits
  • Termination Rights
  • Other General Terms and Conditions

Want to Learn More?

Hiring a general contractor is an important step in any construction project. To maximize your chances for success, you might wish to partner with an experienced design-build firm. Key Interiors has been in business for over 40 years and has been a reliable Chicago general contractor for all types of commercial construction projects. Please contact us to learn more.

Categories
Office Design Office Renovation

4 Ways to Stop Office Construction Issues Before They Start

Three men discuss office construction with a laptop nearby
Two men in hard hats discuss office construction with a laptop nearby

If you’ve ever managed a construction project, you know that there are a million potential issues that can crop up. From inclement weather to delayed material shipments, there’s no shortage of problems that can cause your office construction to take longer and cost more than it should. Though some issues are unavoidable, many common construction problems could be avoided with proper planning and foresight. So, let’s take a look at the top 4 ways to stop office construction issues before they start. 

Set a Budget Ceiling

While you should always set your budget above the initial projection, you shouldn’t throw endless amounts of cash at a construction project. Some contractors or interior designers will try to upsell you with things that you don’t need, leading to seemingly endless costs. To avoid this problem, set a hard limit on what you’re willing to spend. Don’t be afraid to share this number with your contractor or designer, as it will help them stay on track and on budget.

Get a Designer’s Opinion

You may have a very specific vision in mind for your new office. Unfortunately, it may not work with your budget. It also may not be feasible based on your location and a variety of other factors. So, make sure to get an opinion on your office design before you break ground with the construction crew. A good commercial interior design firm can usually spot poor or impractical designs from a mile away. Even better, a design build firm, like Key Interiors, can cover both pieces of the process from design to build.

Take an Active Role in the Process

A lot of business owners want to hire a construction firm, and once the process is started, walk away until it’s done. While this approach may work, you can avoid potential miscommunications and change orders by staying up-to-date on the construction. This way, you’ll be informed of any potential construction issues before they start, giving you more time to work with your contracting firm to fix them.

Hire a Trusted Office Construction Firm

All of the steps above are pointless if you don’t hire the right business to construct or redesign your office. Some interior construction firms do not have the expertise to build a modern office, while others may have a history of going over-budget. So, do your research in advance. Reach out to multiple firms to get price quotes and timelines. If you take these extra steps, you could end up saving your business a lot of time and money.

If you’d like to learn more about hiring a construction firm for your office, contact the experts at Key Interiors today!

 

Corporate Showroom & Design Center
1072 N. Garfield St.
Lombard, IL 60148
877.288.9919
Hours: 8 am – 5 pm

Find Us on Google My Business

Columbus Studio

81 Mill Street
Gahanna, OH 43230
866.755.9230

All website photos are from real Key Interiors job sites. Click here to see more from our gallery.

Newsletter Sign Up

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Address

Corporate Showroom      1072 N. Garfield St.
Lombard, IL 60148

Ohio Showroom                      81 Mill Street
Gahanna, OH 43230

Contact

Illinois: 877.288.9919

Ohio: 866.755.9230

info@keyinteriors.us