Getting a commercial building ready for your new business can be tough — there are so many things you have to take care of, and sometimes it can seem like there’s not enough time to do them all. If you’re preparing to open a commercial building, here are seven things to do.

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Have the Building Inspected

Safety is of the utmost importance, so have an inspector check the building for damage and safety hazards. The inspector can tell you if anything isn’t up to code and how to repair issues within the building, and this goes a long way toward keeping everyone safe inside. From electrical wiring and insulation to plumbing and HVAC hardware, you need to have an experienced professional look the entire place over.

Hire a Junk Removal Crew

If your building is filled with trash and unwanted junk, you can hire a junk removal service to clean everything out. Take a walk through the building and make a list of what needs to go; when the removal crew arrives, all you need to do is show them what to take. They can safely dispose of just about anything, and this saves you a lot of labor and hassle, and you can divert your attention to other tasks.

Double Check Your Roofing

Leaks and water damage are issues for some commercial properties, so the more preventative measures you take, the less likely you are to deal with these problems later. Before and after inspection, do a thorough ceiling check and watch out for dripping, mold, cracks or other signs of damage. If you notice any damage, reach out to your inspector and leak detection services in San Clemente for assistance.

Design a Floor Plan

After your building has been cleaned out and inspected, you can start focusing on how you want the interior layout to be. Every business has different needs, so take plenty of time to determine what purpose each room will serve and how people will move between them. You may want to consult with a professional on this even if your building is fairly small, but you can design your own plan if you know exactly what you want.

Think About Renovations

There may be aspects of the building you want to change; you might want to install more windows, remove walls or add new sections to the property. While the building is still empty and clean, take the opportunity to decide where and how you want changes to be made. This is far easier before you’ve moved all your equipment onto the premises, so don’t start moving in until you’re fully satisfied with the building.

Figure Out Emergency Escape Routes

Emergencies can arise in any form — your building may experience a fire, flooding, earthquake or other types of hazardous conditions. Before you open your doors to anyone, establish emergency escape routes for all areas of the building. You need to indicate where emergency exits are as well as fire extinguishers, fire alarms and storm shelters (if applicable).

Consult With an Interior Designer

Once your property is clean, safe and renovated, you can focus on decorating the inside to build the atmosphere you want your business to enjoy. If you’re unfamiliar with interior design, you can contact a professional consultant to help you decide what sort of aesthetic you’re going for. Having professional assistance can help you bring your vision to life.

There are a lot of things to consider when preparing your commercial building, but having a good plan in place can improve your efficiency. While you can likely get a lot of work done on your own, getting help from an expert may be preferred.