As a property manager or business owner, maintaining the appearance of your commercial real estate is important for aesthetics, functionality, maintaining your property value, and maximizing your ROI. Commercial interior painting should be part of your regularly scheduled building or office maintenance.
Whether this is your first time tackling a commercial building painting project or you’ve handled several, the process can feel a bit daunting. If you manage a retail space you need to consider how to protect your inventory and minimize the impact on your store hours. If your business is office-based you may be worried about your staff working around paint fumes. And of course, there is also sticking to your budget, picking the right color, and finding the best commercial painting contractor in Memphis for the job. There are a lot of moving parts and a lot riding on the outcome.
We’re here to guide business owners and property managers through the process of leading a commercial interior painting project.
When Is It Time for Commercial Interior Painting?
There are several reasons why it may be the right time for interior commercial painting. If your office space is for rent it’s wise to freshen up the space so it’s appealing to new tenants. If you just purchased or leased a retail or office space you likely want to paint it to match your brand. Or maybe it’s just been five years since you last painted and your space is looking dingy.
Most commercial interiors require a fresh coat of paint every three to five years. However, if you manage a busy coffee shop or a fitness center, your booths or sports courts may be showing more wear and tear than an office. Dining is an experience. Customers may not make it past the hostess stand if your restaurant doesn’t offer a pleasant, current atmosphere.
Office spaces aren’t immune to losing their luster. High-traffic areas such as hallways, conference rooms, and reception areas may require more frequent painting than less-frequented spaces. If you host a client meeting in a boardroom that looks like you’ve ignored it for ten years that doesn’t exactly project professionalism.
Take an honest look at your space. Is it welcoming to customers? Does it look dingy and dated? Are there signs of wear and tear? If you’ve delayed painting your commercial space because you’re worried about the impact of a disruption you may be unknowingly turning off potential and long-time customers as your business ages from neglect.
Assess Your Property’s Needs
Before you begin any painting project, conduct a deeper survey of your space and your needs. Consider which areas need to be painted and what type of paint and finish will be best suited for those surfaces.
When it comes to commercial painting, choosing the right type of paint is crucial. Not all paints are created equal, and different types of paint are better suited for different types of surfaces found in a business or retail environment.
For example, a high-gloss paint might be great for metal surfaces, but not so great for drywall. There are also different types of paint finishes to consider, such as matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss. The finish you choose can affect the overall look and durability of the paint job. A restaurant owner may use an easier-to-clean semi-gloss finish in their restaurant dining areas, whereas a commercial property manager may go with a more sophisticated matte finish for executive offices.
The options can be overwhelming. However, a Memphis company experienced with interior commercial painting can help you pick a color scheme that makes the best impression and finishes that will stand the test of time based on how you use your space.
Don’t just consider what areas need a paint update. Make note of any areas that may require special attention, such as those with water damage, mold, or mildew. You may also have areas of drywall or wood that need repair. Ask your painter if they have carpentry or drywall repair experience.
Now that we’ve established that your space is ready for a makeover, let’s talk about who to hire for your commercial painting project.
Can I Hire a Residential Painter for Commercial Building Painting?
The question is not can you hire a residential painter to paint your business’ interior, rather should you?
Businesses and publicly-used spaces require a unique set of expertise and sometimes specialized tools and heavy equipment. Commercial spaces are typically larger with more square footage. These projects tend to involve more complex architectural features. Hotels, for example, may have atriums or interior balconies that require the use of an aerial boom to reach these vaulted spaces. Renovations to historic buildings demand that you hire someone who has the experience and tools to protect the integrity of the space.
And unlike with a residential painting project, if the contractor blows your deadline it’s not merely inconvenient. Delays have the power to impact your bottom line and your customer’s experience.
If your primary concern is a service disruption, a commercial painter will have experience both keeping a larger-scale job on track, while also scheduling the project appropriately. This could include painting outside of normal business hours or breaking it up into stages that allow you to continue to use some areas during your commercial interior painting project.
Search online reviews and ask fellow business owners and property managers for referrals. Reach out to multiple contractors for a free on-site estimate so you can compare pricing and experience.
Commercial Interior Painting Cost: Set a Budget
Painting a commercial property can be a significant expense, so it’s important to set a budget before you begin. Determine how much you are willing to spend on the project and work with your painting contractor to come up with a plan that fits within your budget. If you can’t tackle it all at once, focus on high-traffic areas that are public-facing and save the employee breakroom for next time. If you share space with other businesses, consider approaching the owners about also hiring an interior commercial painting company. You may save some money by having a painting crew on-site for multiple clients.
Will I Have to Shut Down My Business?
Whether or not you have to shut down your business to have it painted depends on the scope and location of the painting project. In some cases, it may be possible to complete the project in stages or during off-hours, allowing your business to remain open during the painting process. However, if the painting project is extensive or requires work in areas that cannot be easily sectioned off, it may be necessary to temporarily close the business for safety reasons or to avoid disrupting customers or clients.
Additionally, commercial building painting jobs that involve hazardous materials or significant structural modifications may require a shutdown to comply with safety regulations or building codes. Ultimately, the decision of whether to shut down your business temporarily will depend on the specific circumstances of the project and the needs of your business.
Fortunately, for traditional office-type projects staff are often able to transition easily to remote work for a period of time. Schools often choose to complete painting projects during summer and holiday breaks.
It’s Time to Tackle Your Memphis Commercial Painting Project
We get it. It can be overwhelming to think about scheduling a commercial interior painting job. You’re worried about the impact it will have on your employees and clients. You want to make sure everything goes smoothly. The reality is painting is a necessary aspect of property maintenance.
The right commercial painter will work with you to not only achieve a result you’re thrilled with, but will work to meet your budget and timeline. We have a wealth of commercial painting experience in hospitality, healthcare, and office spaces. To see some of our work and schedule a free estimate for your property, visit our website.
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