The Last Retail Remodeling Checklist You'll Need (Infographic)

Every business will undergo a retail remodel at some point – whether it’s due to a rebranding, storm damage, an influx of profits and budget, or a changing neighborhood design. It’s an exciting time for store managers and owners to refresh their image, pull in new customers, release a press statement, and relaunch their brand.

Baltimore Renovations
In Baltimore, MD, retail spaces are undergoing more renovations than before to match the changing image of the city. Concert halls like Rams Head Live are pivoting to new ownership that embraces the city’s history and artistic spirit with Nevermore Music Hall and matching Poe interiors, while shops in Hampden are upgrading to embrace the “village in the city” ambiance as new residents move in and call it home.

Staying Competitive
To stay competitive, retail remodeling helps your business stand out – a sharp new storefront, a cozy interior, an inviting layout – all within budget that gives you a wholesome return on investment that helps keep your small business thriving in the face of change. With the right Baltimore renovation contractor, your commercial space can transform to match the dream design you have always had.

Get started today – check out our retail renovation checklist and download our infographic so you always have the important details on hand. When you’re ready, give us a call! Marshall Cruz Construction provides commercial renovations throughout Baltimore for businesses of all types.

The Last Retail Remodeling Checklist You'll Need (Infographic)

Why Invest in Retail Remodeling

  • New brand image
  • Neighborhood changes
  • Influx of profits and/or budget for upgrades
  • Storm and/or water damage repairs
  • Expansion
  • Outdated design

Retail Renovation Checklist

From Baltimore Commercial Renovation Contractors – Helping Your Small Business Thrive

1. Define Your Goals

Every good remodel starts with goals – for you and your contractor. The why might be because you are matching a rebrand, expanding your space, or updating your layout, but what is it that you want from your renovation?

Consider Your Motivation:

  • Bring in more customers
  • Create a space that feels cozy and inviting
  • Upgrade to a modern design for a sophisticated feel
  • Match your neighborhood for a village vibe
  • Make it easier to display your goods
  • Help customers know where to go with an intuitive layout when they enter
  • Make the space more collaborative, or, more private
  • Reduce ambient sound
  • Get more storage
  • Prepare for an expansion and growth

 

Tip: Pick the three main goals you want to focus on that are most important to you and the future of your company

 

2. Settle on a Budget

You’ll define your budget more with site assessments, contracting estimates, material quotes, and more. But before you contact anyone with a definitive plan, you should know roughly how much your business can afford.

Decide what you would like to spend and your top spending amount. Look at all revenue streams, affordable loan options, one-time costs, unexpected fees, and more to select a budget range that helps you invest back into your company without sacrificing financial stability.

  • What is your maximum budget
  • Where are you willing to make cuts
  • When contacting contractors, ask about budgets of similar projects
  • Create a timeline for recouping costs
  • Decide what you need and what can come later
  • Consider not just monetary estimates but value (warranties, timelines, unexpected cost coverage)
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3. Contact Contractors: Estimates, Quotes, and Timelines

Next step, with a budget in mind and the goals outlined, is to contact contractors. You want to hire experienced commercial renovation contractors near you. In Baltimore, MD, Marshall Cruz Construction has an extensive portfolio of work with commercial properties to showcase their skills, past projects, and scope of work.

For any commercial renovation company you contact, make sure you can ask to see their portfolio, understand where they and their crews are located, what services they offer and what they contract out, and any other relevant experience.

Ask Your Commercial Contractors For:

  • License and insurance
  • Experience on similar projects
  • A detailed estimate, timeline, and plan for if/when things go off schedule
  • Work hours and how this impacts daily operations/business closure
  • Warranty information
  • Insight into planning, designing, materials, and more
 
Get 11 More Questions to Ask Your Commercial Contractor for a complete interview overview. 

4. Site Assessments

After hiring your contractor, they will conduct a site assessment. The site assessment lets them know about any liabilities, hazards, or other complications that may interfere with the work. This is important for mapping utilities, understanding city codes, and finalizing the draft plan.

Never skip your site assessment – it prepares crews for what is ahead and helps ensure thorough planning to prevent unexpected roadblocks, delays, or costs.

5 Industries Using Acoustic Ceilings in Baltimore City

5. Approve the Renovation Plan

With all knowledge in hand, you should be able to review and approve the final renovation plan. This may include extensive remodeling options or simple upgrades. Make sure you are happy with the layout, colors, material, timeline, and more. This retail renovation will help improve your business, so you want to ensure it meets your goals, doesn’t go over budget, and is in line with the future of your company’s growth.

Review and Approve:

  • Timeline
  • Materials
  • Color scheme
  • Layout
  • Windows
  • Doors
  • Acoustic ceilings 
  • Flooring
  • Bathroom designs
  • Molding
  • Drywall and/or framing

6. Begin the Work

You’re all set and ready to go! The contractors can begin the work. During renovations, you want to stay involved and communicate thoroughly with the team. There may be changes along the way that you will want to approve, and it will help you stay updated on the timeline for impacting business hours.

Ask your contractor for a point of contact you can get in touch with easily – normally a project manager can provide their phone number and email for easy updates, coordinate payment schedule, convey work progress, and any scheduling changes.

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7. Review and Finalize

Before the work is signed off on, you will complete a final walkthrough with your contractor. This is your chance to review the work in its completed state and sign off on the completion status, and that it matches what you agreed to.

During the final walkthrough, you may request any final changes or ask clarifying questions on the status of the renovation. Never sign off on work unless it is approved and accepted.

8. Time to Launch

Don’t miss the business opportunity to release a PR statement on your new remodel, have a reopening party, and share the changes across social media. A retail renovation is as much for you as it is for your community, so promote, market, and embrace the change.

Especially in tight cities like Baltimore, where neighborhoods unite as a community, your remodel can bring in new, fresh clientele and be celebrated. Take the time to cheers to your new chapter, however small or large the changes were.

Tips for Remodeling Your Retail Space in Baltimore

  • Easy and more affordable renovations can include painting the walls, updating the flooring, changing the lighting, and improving the window displays; even simple renovations can make a big difference
  • Consider acoustic ceiling installations to help with noise control and ambiance – perfect for restaurants, shops, facilities, and more
  • Ask about new commercial door installations to give your business a facelift and invite in new customers
  • For larger budgets, ask about an improved layout, more storage options, changing shelving, or upgrading security or electrical systems
  • Major commercial renovations may include adding a new section like a deli or bakery counter, putting in a drive-thru, expanding the business, or optimizing for self-checkout; talk with your contractor about a clear timeline to reduce closure times during the renovations

Start Your Baltimore Retail Remodel Today

Marshall Cruz Construction has helped retail shops, office spaces, gym facilities, learning centers, gas stations, and more with their remodeling. We handle new door installations, security features, acoustic ceilings for noise control, drop ceiling grids, flooring, and more.

Our experience has helped clients refine their vision, maximize their budget, and reduce downtime during installations. We hope our checklist has helped and look forward to consulting with you – call for a free estimate, no obligation, to see what changes can await your business.

FAQ

Why should I remodel my retail space in Baltimore?

Remodeling your retail space in Baltimore helps you stay competitive. Refresh your brand image, attract new customers, and align your store design with changing neighborhood aesthetics.

 

What should I do before contacting a commercial renovation contractor?

Before contacting a contractor, you should define your renovation goals, set a realistic budget with a spending range, and outline what features are most important for your business.

 

What should I ask a contractor before hiring them for my commercial remodel?

Ask for their license and insurance, portfolio of similar projects, detailed estimate and timeline, warranty information, and how their work schedule might impact your daily operations.

 

What is the purpose of a site assessment in a commercial renovation?

A site assessment helps identify hazards, map utilities, and understand city codes, ensuring your contractor can plan accurately and avoid delays or unexpected costs.

 

How can I promote my business after the renovation is complete?

Host a reopening event, release a PR statement, and share your remodel on social media to celebrate the upgrade and attract new and returning customers.

Marshall Cruz Construction logo

Based in Baltimore, MD, Marshall Cruz Construction is a quality, professional construction company serving Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia. Whether you’re a company manager in need of new renovations at your business or you’re a project manager completing residential home renovations, we have a crew to help.