Remodeling Blog

A typical commercial remodel in Connecticut can cost tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Although the end results are worthwhile, some commercial property owners stumble on the price tag. Understanding contractor fees, as well as the benefits of working with a general commercial contractor, can help you decide whether you're ready for a commercial remodel. One of the most important things you can do when working with a commercial contractor is to choose the right professionals to ensure that the work is done properly. Here's what you need to know about hiring a quality contractor for your upcoming commercial remodeling project.

The climate in Connecticut creates a harsh environment to build and maintain a commercial structure. Freezing winters, humid, hot summers, and periods of drenching rain in all seasons can lead to wear and tear on commercial buildings. It's important to choose an exterior siding that can withstand exposure to the elements. When deciding what kind of exterior siding to use on your building, work with a commercial contractor that knows the options and can answer your questions about each siding type. Working with a reputable construction company can make a big difference. Litchfield Builders helps Connecticut business owners navigate the decision-making process during commercial construction projects. For more information about commercial remodeling and how to navigate the commercial building process, download our free publication, Sustainability and Green Building in Commercial Construction.

Inflation has affected all sectors of the economy, including commercial construction. A recent report from Associated General Contractors (AGC) shows that the price of construction materials rose by leaps and bounds between April of 2020 and June of this year. In that time period, the cost of lumber and plywood rose 61%, copper and brass rose 68% and steel mill products rose an incredible 128%. If you're a commercial building owner in Connecticut seeking to remodel or build a structure, inflation will affect how much you'll pay for your project. Knowing what to expect and planning ahead is important. Working with an experienced commercial construction contractor can help make the entire process a success. Your commercial contractor should have the experience in the industry to help you plan a project that meets your needs, even amid these rising costs. For more information about finding a contractor that can help with this, download the Litchfield Builder's free guide. Below, you'll see information about how inflation is affecting commercial project costs, and suggestions for how you can plan an affordable commercial construction project in Connecticut.

Restaurants rely heavily on ambiance to create a pleasant dining experience. Aging restaurants can lose some of that ambiance as scratches, scuffs and stains begin to accumulate on surfaces like upholstery, tables, floors, and walls. Regular remodeling can keep your restaurant looking fresh and beautiful. Remodeling a restaurant is a big job, and it's important to know what costs to anticipate. Once you know how much you can expect to spend, then you can decide for yourself whether this type of business upgrade is right for your establishment. Keep reading below to learn about what you should expect for restaurant renovation costs.

Every commercial construction project is different, but when you're working with a professional construction business with a well-established process, you can expect your project to be streamlined and well planned. This is the case when you're working with Litchfield Builders. Litchfield Builders has been in business for over 25 years, and in that time, we've created a number of processes that make each job a success. Knowing what to expect in your commercial project can help you prepare for your upcoming commercial property improvement.

Commercial building permits are a crucial (and unavoidable) part of many business construction projects. Whether you want to replace your roof, build a new structure on your property, or add on to your existing structure, you’re going to need to get a permit before the work can begin. Permitting is a process that helps ensure building quality and safety, so it’s an important function of local government. However, permitting costs are on the rise and many business owners are unaware of it. In addition, the permitting process isn't changing, even as costs are increasing. This important issue is just one of the many reasons that property improvement projects cost more now than they did just a few years ago. Knowing the permitting process, what’s involved and how much it costs to get a permit can help you as you plan your upcoming construction project.

Many office-based Connecticut businesses changed their work configurations in 2020 allowing employees to work from home. While some of these businesses may maintain a permanent work from home configuration even after the pandemic ends, others are planning to come back to the office when it is safe to do so. It's hard to know what the workplace will be like after COVID-19, but most people agree, it will not be the same. Now is a good time to plan for a safe office reopening - whether a portion of or your entire workforce is coming back. If you're considering a reopening sometime in the near future, this is also a good opportunity to remodel and reconfigure your business operations to create a safer and healthier work environment. Many things are changing. The world around us is taking a new form. With good planning and visionary thinking, your business can be more agile, more resilient and more prepared for whatever is coming tomorrow.

Busy people like low maintenance features, but with flooring, low-maintenance options haven't always been easy to find. For many years, favored flooring materials required periodic sealing, refinishing or shampooing. Whether you're a busy parent, a career-professional, or a homeowner who just doesn't want to worry about home maintenance anymore, finding the right low maintenance flooring can be a challenge.

What is the difference between the design of a commercial kitchen and your own personal kitchen? With a commercial kitchen, the design is about functionality and size to accommodate more foot traffic. A home kitchen is more about style and how well it blends with the house. Furthermore, a commercial kitchen has to be much more sanitary and cost-effective than a personal kitchen.

Is your commercial building too small? Not so small that you're forced to move, but just small enough to be inconvenient? If so, an addition may be just what you need. In fact, a well-planned addition can improve functionality around your workplace, improve the reputation of your company, save your business money and increase profits.