How Does a General Contractor Create a High-Quality Commercial Interior Design in the Brooklyn, NY, Area?
You’ve got a high-end commercial store, restaurant, or shop in the Brooklyn, NY, area and you’re thinking about giving your interior design a long overdue upgrade. But you’re not really sure where to start or what questions even to ask. You’re thinking about hiring a general contractor, but it would be helpful to know more about how a general contractor approaches the work of creating high-quality commercial interior design. We’ve put some brief thoughts together to help you on your journey.
Job Description
What exactly is the job description for a general contractor? A general contractor is usually responsible for overseeing all aspects of a project, including hiring subcontractors, coordinating schedules, managing budgets, and ensuring that everything goes according to plan. A general contractor may also ensure every aspect of the construction meets code requirements.
A good general contractor is concerned with these kinds of questions: What kind of customer does this space service? Who are the key players involved? How will these customers interact with others? These questions can help shape every aspect of commercial interior design. These are things to think about before plans are drawn up.
Additional Aspects to Consider for a Commercial Interior Design
1. Establishing a Plan
A good general contractor (1) establishes a plan that meets the business’ specifications, while still remaining within budget; (2) collaborates with the business to determine what kind of environment the client envisions for the space: Is it modern, is it traditional, is it industrial? (3) takes into consideration how much square footage is in play; (4) considers any existing furniture, fixtures, appliances you expect to use.
2. Selecting Materials
Once your expectations and priorities have been determined, the interior designer will likely create a list of materials with cost being at least one variable. By doing this, the contractor and team can get a good idea of what’s possible based on your budget. However, not all materials are created equal. A good contractor understands that cheap and expensive are relative terms, meaning there are other factors to include besides the price of materials—factors like durability, availability, and carbon footprint. As a rule of thumb, a good contractor will establish and stick to a process that is simple, streamlined, well-communicated, and transparent.
3. Finishing Touches
After deciding on the type of materials to use, the contractor may work with you to choose finishes that align with the selected material. These finishes range from paint colors to wall coverings.
When choosing which finish is right for the space, the designer may consider the amount of traffic there is, whether the room will require heavy cleaning, whether pets are present, and even the weather conditions. If the room is going to be occupied 24/7, then perhaps there will be a focus on toning down the “noise” that is created when a room appears busy and full of various patterns or colors. If the space is expected to be set aside for special occasions, a lighter color may be more welcoming to guests.