Commercial tenants usually underestimate two things: how long municipal plan review takes, and how much of the build-out falls outside the landlord's improvement allowance.
Before you sign the lease
Get a contractor to walk the space. Existing HVAC capacity, electrical service size, and whether there's a grease interceptor can each swing the build-out cost by tens of thousands.
Permitting and plan review
Commercial plan review in Capital Region municipalities commonly takes 3-8 weeks. Budget that time before your rent commencement date, not after.
ADA and egress
Change of use frequently triggers accessibility upgrades — restroom clearances, door hardware, ramp slopes, and signage. This is where surprise costs live.
Scheduling around operations
For occupied retail and restaurants, we phase work and run nights and weekends so you don't lose revenue days.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does a typical build-out take?
- 6-14 weeks on site for most retail and office spaces, plus permitting time.
- Can you provide insurance certificates for my landlord?
- Yes — general liability and workers' comp certs naming the landlord or property manager.
