Smart Restaurant Renovation Ideas For A Tight Budget

 

Restaurant renovation is tricky. Customers visit a restaurant with the expectations of certain aesthetics and energy, not just the food. Performing certain repairs in your space is different from adopting renovation ideas that enhance your creativity and help you shine through. 

Restaurateurs and business owners want to keep the business profitable and open during the renovation process. A professional commercial contractor recognizes this desire and ensures that the renovation is performed in a manner that is beneficial for the owner and the customer. 

Here are some smart renovation ideas for a tight budget.

1.     Create a lasting first impression

You only have one chance to create the first impression. Redesigning the entranceway of your restaurant is an easy way to recreate the initial impression. Some of the inexpensive steps to reconfigure the space include cleaning the parking lot, removing cigarette butts, litter, and other waste. Decluttering boosts the overall curb appeal and provides your guests with a clean and fresh space. 

Moreover, you can landscape your entrance and walkways by adding large planters of bright flowers and crisp greenery. The installation of dramatic lighting can also make the atmosphere cleaner, neater, and more attractive. 

2.               Enhance the facilities

Right off the bat, you cannot have a dirty, smelly bathroom. This is particularly true for a business that serves food. With a dirty bathroom, you most likely are violating the health-code. Moreover, the bathroom is a space that demands serious attention from the business owners. Many times, a restaurant patron will decide whether he/she wants to return to the restaurant based on the condition of the bathroom and its cleanliness. 

3.               Welcome the outdoors

According to psychological and clinical studies, people are attracted by the outdoors. They give a favorable response when they can engage with the outside world.  An inexpensive approach to create a big impact and interact with the atmosphere is by adding windows and punching a few holes in the roof. These additions allow more natural light to penetrate the interior space. 

5 Signs That It’s Time To Update Your Commercial Property

 

The exteriors of a commercial building are more likely to degrade and lose their pristine finish as opposed to residential buildings. The common causes for this dirty and worn appearance are location, exposure to city pollution, natural elements like weather, and graffiti. 

A commercial renovation to update your property is advisable when you notice bubbling or flaking around the edges. Additionally, the growth of mildew on the exteriors indicates the need for repainting as a preventive measure. Here are some of the signs signifying that your building is ready for a facelift.

1.     Visible mildew and mould

Pro-longed exposure begins to degrade the paint of your buildings. One of the most prominent signs of this is mildew and mould that begins to grow and spread as an outcome of excess moisture. 

2.               Fading paint

Another sign that indicates the need for a re-paint is fading. If you have used poor techniques or low-quality paint, fading occurs much faster. The cause of fading is UV rays that break down the chemical bonds. Therefore, it is suggested that you choose a paint with added protection for external walls. You can take the assistance of professional painters to select the right paint that provides longer-lasting colour and protection, making your building appear brand new. 

3.               Pressure washing damage

Many commercial buildings undergo pressure washing for maintenance. It is an inexpensive and quick way to keep your walls welcoming and clean. However, in the long run, there’s a downside to pressure washing. 

Water can reach under the walls damaging the plaster, wiring, and insulation. It cannot be removed and will eventually damage the paint and surface. 

4.               Blistering or bubbling paint

When the paint’s adhesion loses from the underlying surface, it leads to blistering or bubbling of the exterior paint. A commercial painter can help you remedy this bubbly texture. 

5.               Rebranding the commercial property

Apart from the other signifiers, you may feel the need to revamp the branding of your premises. Repainting your building helps to attract more walk-ins and better highlight your business and its brand. 

 

7 Tips to Renovate and Maximize your Small Retail Store Space!

 Renovating a small retail store space is not the same as renovating a home. At a place of residence, renovation ideas include adding cascading fountains or feature walls. But when it comes to retail store renovation, you need to focus on creating the buyer’s journey. 

Here are seven simple and affordable ways to maximize your small retail store space:

1. Paint an accent wall

If you use a bold colour to paint one wall, it looks larger and creates the illusion of receding in space. Moreover, you can use printed wallpaper or fabric to include eye-catching textures in your store. 

2.               Create window-like effects

Windows also make a small space appear larger. You can cut window spaces to separate two small rooms and create an atmosphere that is more airy and open. 

3.               Stay away from a cluttered look

How you place your merchandise also makes a significant difference to your store’s appearance. Make sure you don’t place them too closely. When it comes to the furniture, opt for neutral colours and accent them with bright coloured pillows and vases. 

4.               Think beyond shelving

The display of products doesn’t always have to be on shelves. Get creative and find other space-saving ways. A commercial contractor can suggest ideas to grab the attention of store visitors and passers-by.  

5.               Illuminate your space

Every part of your store must have appropriate lighting. If most of your store enjoys natural lighting, don’t neglect the corner that doesn’t. Use a combination of lamps, picture lights, sconces, and track lights to keep the entire area lit. 

6.               Keep open bookcases as dividers

An effective way to divide the space in your small retail store is by using tall, open bookcases. These not help you to improve the display of products but also create an airy feel. Due to the flexibility of open bookcases, you can frequently change their position bringing a change to the layout. 

7.               Create vertical displays

Hang shelves to place items on different heights. Such a display pattern maximizes space and is also visually appealing. 

 

Redesign, Renovate, Or Reconfigure: What's Right for Your Office in 2021?

 

Your office space must be safe and clean to support employee productivity. If your business premises currently doesn’t meet  the present safety guidelines, it is time for you to make your office space adhere to the requirements for 2021. 

Like many office owners, you may also be confused between reconfiguration, renovation, and redesigning. While a lot of people use these terms interchangeably, they serve different purposes. And it is vital to know the differences between them to make the right decision. 

1.     Office Reconfiguration

If you need to only upgrade your existing space with furniture and flooring or repurposing the current furniture, office reconfiguration is a good idea. As you reconfigure your office, you can make it more spacious and improve productivity. Office reconfiguration requires minimal disruption and can be completed at a far lesser price than commercial renovation. However, this approach only allows you to make limited changes as compared to a full-blown renovation.

2.               Office Redesign

Office redesigning is a suitable choice for those who want to give their office space an uplift in terms of aesthetics. You can install new lighting schemes, add new furnishings, invest in stand-up desks, and repaint the walls. An appealing workspace tends to keep employees happy, thereby encouraging them to work harder. Moreover, you put forth a modern and professional image in front of your clients.

3.               Office Renovation

In the case of the above two options, the building structure remains the same. However, when you renovate the office, you make structural changes. You completely transform the interiors while the exteriors remain intact. Renovation is suggested when you want to transform your space as per your specifications.

Store renovation is a time-consuming construction project. Depending on the degree to which you want to make changes, you may have to shift or cease business operations until the project is complete. A Commercial Contractor can help you plan an efficient and cost-effective renovation, making it pay off in the long run. 

How to Take Your Retail Spaces to a Sustainable Level?

 

In today’s era, every brand must play a vital role in sustainable practices. It helps to get the preference of the public and specific target groups. Moreover, it helps to deepen customer relationships. 

When considering a store renovation project to accommodate sustainability, here are a few tips that can help you go green: 

1.     Choose Natural Elements

The interiors of your store are crucial. It is a good idea to have plants inside your store. They create a fresh and homely environment. Besides, they boost positive emotions and perceptions of the customer. 

2.               Use Natural Lighting

Not every room in your store requires bright lighting. The sources of natural lighting help to create a pleasant and enchanting vibe in your store. It can keep your employees energetic. Natural lighting also helps to save on a lot of energy costs. 

3.               Design Windows with Recyclable Material

They say eyes are the windows to the soul. Similarly, window displays reveal the essence of a store. When you use recyclable material to design your windows, you make a sustainable statement within your window display. A commercial contractor will be able to help you with creative ideas to go green and create attractive window displays. 

4.               Use Efficient Heating and Cooling Systems

You don’t need heating and cooling systems throughout the year. These systems consume a lot of energy. Alternatively, a programmable thermostat can help you maintain optimum temperature as per requirements. For instance, storage rooms have minimal traffic and don’t need the continuous effects of heating and cooling systems. Another essential thing to keep in mind is the maintenance of the air filter. If you think the air filter is dirty, change it as soon as possible. 

5.               Go Paperless

Wherever possible, choose email receipts. This eco-friendly technique releases the load on your customers’ wallets by getting rid of all the paper receipts and bills. 

Finally, remember to share your sustainability efforts. Discuss them on your website and spread the word via social media. Such communication is an effective marketing strategy and helps to gain customer confidence. 

 

Why should you hire a general contractor instead of trying to do it yourself?

 

The number of tasks you need to supervise and complete during a construction project is manifold. There are many decisions to take, and one must know that the knowledge and experience of a professional general contractor is valuable. 

So, if you’re planning a commercial renovation, you should always look at hiring an expert general contractor for the many benefits they have to offer. 

1.     Professional Designers

As you start renovating, you have a plethora of ideas. You know how you want the renovated area to look, but you don’t know what you have to do to achieve the same. Reputed contracting companies offer professional interior design services. They help you re-work layouts and select fixtures and features that suit your requirements. These designers create a plan considering your ideas and also suggest how you can make the space more productive for your employees. 

2.               Knowledge and Experience

Cornerstone is an experienced commercial contractor. The expertise and knowledge it brings is not something you can acquire by watching DIY videos on YouTube. Professional contractors know how to remodel an office space and the sequence of construction tasks that are necessary to complete your renovation efficiently. They ensure that your work does not suffer, and employees are not disturbed during the renovation project. 

3.               Project Manager Efficiency

A general contractor serves as a project manager throughout the renovation process. They have a network of sub-contractors and qualified sub-trades, using which they ensure the efficiency of the entire job. Apart from hiring these subcontractors, they schedule their services at the right time of the project. Besides, they supervise tasks and ensure that the work the subcontractors perform is high-quality. 

If you try to renovate a commercial property on your own, the chances of making expensive mistakes are high, as you won’t really understand all the details and intricacies. As a result, you’ll waste time, effort, and money. Hiring a general contractor right from the beginning ensures that you don’t make any such errors and have your renovation jobs completed at the right time and at the right cost.

 

6 Tips For Estimating And Controlling Commercial Renovation Costs

Every store or property undergoes renovation at some point in time. Whether you do it to upgrade systems or update fixtures, the most difficult part is planning the store renovation cost. There is no simple formula and you need to look at several factors before you can arrive at an estimate. 

A commercial contractor spends time understanding various elements to determine the cost. These include location, building use, building codes, historic district compliance, number of disciplines required, as well as current market factors. 

While outside factors help you determine the cost of renovation, there are ways by which owners can better manage the budgets. Here are 6 tips to help you control commercial renovation costs:

1.     Plan Ahead

Many owners plan renovations when the space develops critical needs. This is not a good idea. Waiting instead of advance planning can lead to the difference between just a re-paint job or replacing walls completely.  Planning ahead can make a big difference.

2.      Avoid Surprises

No building owner enjoys an unpleasant surprise after the renovation has begun. While there are some unavoidable surprises, most can be prevented with proper planning and due diligence. If you carefully assess the property’s condition, you can avoid overshooting the budget.

3.      Obtain Accurate Requirements

It is important to establish project needs in detail right from the beginning. Knowing how the special layout is going to change and keeping in mind its current and potential uses will lead to an accurate cost estimate. 

4.       Choose the Right Materials

Renovation expenses are just a part of the entire project. Sometimes, the right materials cost a lot more but result in long-term savings depending on use. Conversely, sometimes you can easily avoid the use of expensive material.

5.         Consider the Life Cycle of Building Systems

Electrical, plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning systems have a natural life cycle. Take into account the Expected Useful Life of these devices to determine the replacements you need to include in your renovation project. 

6.           Partner with the Right Renovation Expert

A good renovation partner is critical. Cornerstone has deep expertise in renovation and can offer an accurate estimate for renovation costs. 

Tips For Designing A Conference Room That will Wow Clients

Meeting rooms definitely have an impact on the impression you create for potential clients. No company would like to have a noisy or distracting space for their clients to meet in. Having a comfortable yet business like atmosphere for a meeting room is important. Listed below are a few tips for designing a conference room that will wow clients.

Consider The Clients' Needs

It is important to consider the needs and requirements of your clients when designing a meeting room space.  How many people will be attending the meetings regularly? You want them to have enough elbow room, as well as space to get up and walk around. At the same time, you also want the meeting room to be small enough to let people know they're safe in a group and be focused on the meeting. Invest in the right furniture.

Pick The Right Room

Though there is no set rule, it is better to build the conference room near the entrance of the office. It will be easy for the clients to go in and out without disturbing the rest of your office. Ideally, the room should be in a place where distractions are kept to a minimum. For example, a space near the CEO’s office would be great, but not a space near the main lobby or near a lunch room.

Provide Amenities

Place refreshments in the room so clients can get water or even tea or coffee if they need it.  Invest in tables with mini-cabinets, where your guests can stash their belongings while participating in the meeting. Put a bin or two in a corner of the room so guests can dispose of their trash properly. Have charging points conveniently places for charging phones and laptops.

Keep The Design Consistent

Creativity is good, but authenticity is even better. If your office is filled with fun and cheerful designs make it a point to decorate your conference room that way. But if your company is more classic and old school, the meeting room should reflect that too.

Rehearse Before The Meeting

It’s a big task to get ready for the big day. Do a mock meeting with your own colleagues assuming them as clients and give a presentation, make sure all technical things are in good condition. Is the lighting good enough and are there spare notepads and pens? Ask them for their feedback so that you can improvise for the real big day.

At Cornerstone, we sit on your side of the table to offer you end to end solutions. Get in touch with us for all your commercial renovation needs.

8 Ways To Turn Your Business Idea into Reality

Not every entrepreneur starts with an idea in mind. If you have an idea it means you have already taken the first steps. But how do you take it forward? Until you take action, your ideas will remain as ideas. Here are 8 ways to turn your business ideas into reality.

Know The Difference

Standing apart is key! You need to differentiate yourself from your competitors. No matter how small this difference may be, you need to be able to demonstrate how unique your product is. You have to clearly define your USP, positioning, and the market.

Understand Your Business

This may seem like a no brainer, but just because you have an idea it doesn't mean that you understand the business well. You can do SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis for understanding your position. It is not necessary that you should be midway through the process, you can do the analysis even before starting.

Identify Your Customer Base

No matter the kind of business you've been dreaming of setting up, you need to understand that someone out there will require your product or service sooner or later. There is always a market for every product. Know where to focus and understand the demography.

Don't Compromise On The Quality

The worst mistake any entrepreneur can make is to introduce a service; carry out widespread marketing campaigns and ad placements only to deliver a service of depreciated value in the long run. You may fall for the fancy figures but it wouldn't help your business.

Do Your Homework

Are you the first one to think about this idea? Do you have a competitor? Research online and visit conferences in your industry. You don't want to know someone else has got there first after you have invested your valuable time and money.

Build A Prototype

Building a model of your product will be really helpful. If you're creating a service, your prototype can be a process map that details customer contact points and what has to happen internally to meet customer needs.

Determine Your Resource Requirements

What exactly do you need to get started? Think about how you can set up the workspace. You can approach a commercial contractor to construct your dream office.

Get in touch with Cornerstone to manage your office construction project from start to end.

5 Conference Room Design Tips For A Functional Space

There are several factors to consider when you are planning to construct a conference room. You should ask a few questions like, how many people will use the room? What will it mainly be used for?

A conference room is where the employees work together and brainstorm ideas. Good use of the conference room will make the employees productive and creative when working in a team. It is also used as a meeting room for closing sales with potential customers. Listed below are 5 conference room design tips for creating a functional space.

Location Of The Conference Room

The location of the conference room is really crucial. Though there is no hard and fast rule if you build the room in the middle of the office it will be easy for the employees to efficiently reach the space. Having the conference room near the entrance will make the conference room easily accessible for visiting clients.

Table Configuration

There are plenty of seating styles you can choose from. For example, the U-style allows everyone to engage with the speaker and vice versa, while the theatre/classroom style can accommodate more people.

The layout you choose majorly depends on what the conference room will primarily be used for and the number of people who will be using the room.

Concentrate On The Lighting

Generally, natural light works well and you can design the room to have natural lighting come in . Just make sure the windows are covered with shades and blinds, in case the glare becomes distracting - especially if the meeting is in the mid-afternoon.

Technology

Gone are the days when offices used blackboard and whiteboard in the conference halls. This is the era of projectors and smart screens. Strategically placing the smart boards and screens will help in creating a functional space.

Don't Clutter up the Conference Room

Whether your company has a fun, playful image or a more dignified and classic image, the meeting room should reflect that. Keep the décor simple. A clutter can be more of a distraction.

For your commercial renovation needs contact Cornerstone @ https://trustcornerstone.ca/ or call @ Call: 905-364-5588.

5 Signs You Need An Office Renovation

An office renovation project can bring a lot of joy as well as stress. Managing a project is a daunting task, especially one that involves a lot of people and processes. But how do you know that you need a change? Listed below are 5 signs that you need an office renovation.

Outdated Appearance, Office Furniture & Equipment

Chairs break, tables get scratched, sofas begin to look worn out. This is the prime sign that indicates your office needs a renovation. This  spoils the overall look and feel of the office and it eventually creates an outdated appearance. You can contact the office renovators to fix the problem.

Less Client Visit

The workplace shouldn't be an embarrassment. If you notice that your regular client is refusing to visit your office and arranging meetings in other places, it is a sign that your office needs a renovation. 

Not Reflecting the Brand Image

An office is a place where your brand image will be reflected. Is your workspace reflecting the right brand image? If not, it is time for you to consider an office renovation. Every business has its own corporate culture and needs, and therefore an office must be able to showcase your business philosophy, while hiking up your core business value.

Employees Looking Unhappy & Unsatisfied

Your employees are the backbone of your business, if they are unhappy it will slow down your growth. According to research, it was found that office interiors and décor produce a high-impact on employee motivation levels. As employees spend most of their time within the office, it’s your responsibility to provide a comfortable, soothing and relaxed workplace for them.

Poor Communication

There may be many reasons for poor communication, like poorly designed interiors. If your office space is well designed your employees will enjoy seamless communication. The objective of the above discussion is to draw your attention towards office interior renovation.

At Cornerstone, we sit on your side of the table to offer you end to end solutions. Contact our office remodelling crew for your renovation needs.

Strategies To Maximize Your Office Space

Planning an office renovation can be very exciting and interesting. After investing in a good property every inch will matter to you. You should take everything into consideration like furniture, colour scheme, lighting, storage quotient, reception, conference room, etc.

Developing a successful strategy, however, requires careful planning, data gathering, analysis, and forecasting. It requires a deep understanding of the enterprises’ critical values, with future goals in mind. For many workplace management teams, this is a daunting task, riddled with a multitude of influencing factors that need to be addressed along the way. Let’s take a look at a few necessities to help you revamp your space strategy and improve organizational efficiency.

Office Space Goals

Whether your organization is renovating an existing space or designing a new one, you along with your renovation contractor should plan everything from beginning to the end. You should talk about the list of departments that will be housed, a headcount of current employees, foot traffic and machinery information.

Aligning Your Strategy With Workforce Needs

Now that you have identified organizational goals, the needs of your workforce should align with the tools you are going to make available. And you should decide on tools which are not only beneficial currently, but also extend themselves to successful growth and productivity.

Having The Right Amount Of Space

Having the wrong space can interrupt your business or make it difficult to operate. You need to plan carefully when you calculate how much office space you need. This also helps in ensuring safety. If a fire or some other emergency occurs, you want enough space so that people can exit the building safely and quickly.

Arrangement Of Furniture

Determine the goal of your furniture arrangement. Consider putting your desk near a window to get the most light in your workspace. Once you know the size of the room and the size of your furniture, you can make some preliminary plans on how to position your furniture for maximizing the workspace. You can make it more welcoming to clients, maximize your productivity, and increase aesthetics.

Open Office Floor Plan

Last but not least the open office plan increases collaboration, employee satisfaction, and communication.

At Cornerstone, we have completed many successful commercial renovation projects and we have the experience and expertise to handle your project. Get in touch with our commercialcontractor to maximize your office space.

The Best Time of the Year for Remodeling Projects

Remodeling your home or office can be done at any time of the year if you are ready and prepared for it. Whenever you decide to get started, planning your Remodeling well in advance will avoid any last-minute chaos and associated issues. Deciding on your Remodeling needs ahead of schedule will help you in communicating your goals, budgets, and plans with your renovation contractor. You can also discuss the renovation with your employees to keep them informed and to gather their ideas. Additionally, you can plan to keep customers happy and mitigate any challenges that come with a workplace Remodeling.

Though an office renovation can happen year-round there are a few tips to complete the work on time and under budget.

The Busy Season

April through June is the busiest season for most construction and Remodeling firms. The warmer climate allows for more work time and spares workers the challenge of working in the cold. Thus soon after winter, renovations will happen in a full swing. The renovators will also work in a tight schedule this season. You may end up spending a lot of money if you schedule a renovation contract at this point in time because your contractors will have lots of options. Make sure to book them well in advance.

Understanding Supply and Demand

Demand and price are directly proportional. When the demand for contractors is more their rates shoot up. This is very similar to the first point. Peak season and busy times for contractors can be a concern. This applies for products as well, during Christmas, for example,many households are building out their interior spaces, which may drive the cost of the of building materials like paint, lumber, and cement up.

Winter and rainy seasons

Rainy and winter seasons are considered the low season for building and Remodeling for obvious reasons. Renovation contractors may be free at this time, so if you are doing an interior renovation you may be able to get great rates. If this is an outdoor renovation, then the elements will slow down work and drive up costs.

Remodeling during October through December

This is typically when large construction and Remodeling projects will be finishing up. If you start the work at this time you may be able to get a great deal. Business will be slow for contractors during this season and the building materials will also be available at a comparatively lower prices.

All told, the right time of the year for Remodeling and renovation projects is when you, your employees, and your customers are ready. Keeping your Remodeling needs and budget in mind will help you in planning a successful project. Do make sure to understand your building contractor’s terms and conditions before jumping into a project, particularly how they related to weather and down time. Do make sure to choose the right contractor who has great rapport with engineers, designers, and other construction workers.

Contact Cornerstone to manage your project from inception, through design, implementation, permit, and construction to close.