Commercial Tenant Improvements and Choosing a Reputable Construction Company
A poorly executed tenant improvement project costs more than a delayed opening. It costs lease renewals, tenant satisfaction, and property value. Commercial property owners who invest in the right TI contractor protect all three.
Why Tenant Improvements Matter for Property Owners
A well-planned commercial tenant improvement (TI) project attracts long-term tenants and gives them a reason to renew. Most TI projects are custom alterations and renovations that a building owner makes to rental space as part of a lease agreement. TI works to configure the space to meet the tenant's specific needs.
For more than a decade, KR Wolfe’s construction services team has delivered tenant improvement projects across healthcare, transportation, and technology, as well as projects for municipalities, state, and federal government agencies. TI projects may include erecting or taking down walls, installing capital equipment, installing special lighting, or rerouting HVAC systems or plumbing. In some cases, the TI may involve major structural endeavors, such as installing cleanrooms or data centers to house sensitive telecom and networking equipment.
What to Look for in a Commercial TI Contractor
Vetting a commercial tenant improvement contractor with care protects your budget, your timeline, and your relationship with the tenant. Take a close look at their past and present clients. Review their technical capabilities and the types of projects they have successfully delivered.
When you begin the process of screening a commercial construction contractor, ask:
- Is the contractor licensed and insured?
- Can they provide references from comparable projects?
- What tenant improvement projects have they completed in your industry?
- How long have they been in business?
- How do they manage disruption to occupied or adjacent spaces during construction?
According to KR Wolfe president, Rachel Wolfe, “our entire organization has worked tirelessly throughout our history to build a reputation for integrity, transparency, and trust. In fact, we have made trust an integral part of our corporate QUEST, which stands for Quality, Understanding, Exceptional Service, Trust, and Integrity.”
KR Wolfe’s Experience with Commercial Tenant Improvements
KR Wolfe has executed commercial tenant improvements and healthcare facilities renovations. These include operating room renovations, systems installations/integrations in technology, regional transportation hubs and federal government facilities.
As an SBA-registered corporation, KR Wolfe is approved for federal government contracts. For TI projects requiring LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), KR Wolfe is a Certified Green Professional Organization with a Master's Certification in Renewable Energy.
KR Wolfe’s quality workmanship and customer service have earned repeat contracts from high-profile organizations, including:
- Juniper Networks
- Los Angeles International Airport
- San Diego International Airport
- Small Business Administration
- General Services Administration (GSA) – a federal government agency
Your TI general contractor can provide a cost estimate early on, but a final number typically isn’t possible until plans are submitted to the city or municipality for approval.
Commercial Construction Management Services
KR Wolfe serves as the general contractor on turnkey TI projects. On projects where the client has already selected an architect and a separate general contractor, our team serves as construction manager instead.
Ready to start a TI construction, equipment installation, or systems integration project? Contact our team today.
Questions Facilities Teams Ask About Commercial Tenant Improvements
What should procurement teams look for when vetting tenant improvement construction firms?
Look for licensing, insurance, and verifiable references from comparable projects first. Beyond that, ask how the firm manages disruption to occupied or adjacent spaces during construction, since that's where inexperienced contractors most often create problems on tenant improvement work.
How do government-contracted construction firms handle federal facility tenant improvements?
Federal facility tenant improvements typically require the contractor to hold SBA registration and meet additional compliance and security requirements beyond standard commercial TI work. KR Wolfe is an SBA-registered corporation with direct experience delivering tenant improvements for municipal, state, and federal government facilities.
How do commercial tenant improvement projects get scoped and priced?
Scope is defined by the tenant's specific space requirements, which can include wall configuration, HVAC or plumbing rerouting, and capital equipment installation. A firm estimate typically isn't finalized until plans are submitted to the local municipality for approval, since permitting requirements can affect final cost.