Form and Function: Commercial Renovations That Put People First

Experience, expertise, and local knowledge go a long way when it comes to commercial renovations and tenant improvements. But with projects like these, nothing is more important than finding a construction management company that’s creative and flexible. After all, renovations can be unpredictable. If there’s mould behind a wall or a poorly repaired crack in the foundation, budgets and timelines are likely to skyrocket.

When your construction management company has experience, expertise, and local knowledge, it can make all the difference. Whether you’re renovating or improving a café, restaurant, retail store, office, or medical facility, the right construction partner can help make your dream space a reality — and guide you through any unexpected challenges you might encounter along the way.

Why Adaptability Matters in Commercial Renovations

Commercial renovations and tenant improvements projects require flexibility. Maybe you’re a building owner and you’ve discovered a code issue that’s threatening to derail the project timeline. Or perhaps you’re a tenant, and you’ve found some beautiful hidden hardwood that you’d like to refinish instead of replacing the carpet. Either way, you need a construction management company that can adapt along with you and your plans.

“It’s hard for larger companies to deviate from their established processes and their plans for execution,” says Melissa Delgado, Project Manager at Ashton Construction Services (ACS). “We’re large enough to handle medium-to-large projects, but small enough that when we get thrown a curveball — which we expect — we can pivot and still reach the same end goal. We just find an alternative path.”

Dedicated Support

People enter the commercial renovation process with varying levels of experience under their belts — from developers with years of experience with commercial renovations to brand-new business owners who need a contractor to help with tenant improvements. Some clients need more support and guidance than others, and your construction management partner should be willing and able to provide it.

“Some people have been through the renovation process before. They know what to expect, what we’re going to do, and how we’re going to do it,” says Melissa. “Then we have other clients who are like, ‘This is my first project. I have no idea what I’m doing.’”

No matter how much or how little experience you have, your construction management firm should take the time to explain the process to you, so you can make informed decisions without feeling overwhelmed. “It’s a little bit more of a time commitment, but ultimately we need to earn their trust,” says Melissa. “We like to show our clients that we’re honest, that we’re here to help.”

Banff Plastic Surgery, Canmore

Aligned Goals

Since goals often shift mid-project, it’s important to look for a construction management company that can quickly reassess and adapt processes to meet those new goals.

“Sometimes the request is something as simple as a material change along one wall,” says Melissa. “If we have to special order it and it will take eight weeks to arrive, we’ll explain that yes, it’s possible, but that it will extend the schedule and there’s an added cost. We want everyone to have all the information they need to properly consider their options so that they’re comfortable with whatever decision they make in the end.”

Quick Response Times

Relationships, honesty, and accountability are three of our core values at ACS. Those values form the foundation of who we are and how we do business, but they also go a long way toward establishing strong relationships with the people we work with.

Tara Lockwood worked closely with ACS CEO Steve Ashton when she was hired to work as his project manager a number of years ago. Now a senior project manager, Tara explains, “Steve has so much respect for the business owners who make up our trade base. As a result, I know there are certain people that I can call with any question and get the help we need. When it comes to Canmore renovations, those relationships really help.”

Case Study: Power Feed Partnership

Recently, the ACS team encountered a challenge while working on a medical clinic renovation. When the team opened up a wall that needed to be moved, they found the main power feed for the entire building. The situation was complicated by the fact that the room contained an X-ray machine — which comes with very specific room size requirements — so their options were limited.

Fortunately, ACS’s strong relationship network allowed the team to resolve the situation relatively quickly.

“Our relationships allow us to quickly assess and respond to issues flagged on site,” says Melissa. “We can get pricing back within a couple of days depending on whether or not they need to engage their suppliers. That means it’s easier to make fast decisions.”

ACS had previously worked — and established trust — with the building owner, which made the next steps much easier. They ultimately had to reroute the electrical through spaces belonging to other businesses, but Melissa says the process went smoothly: “We definitely took a little bit longer for the rough-in, but it wasn’t huge.”

Eclipse Coffee Roasters, Dead Man’s Flats

Is ACS Right for Your Renovation?

At ACS, our construction management services are ideal if you:

• Need a flexible renovation team that can pivot based on real-time needs
• Are planning a medium-to-large commercial renovation
• Want a client-centered approach where decisions are made through collaboration and adaptability
• Operate in the Bow Valley and require local expertise in commercial renovations and tenant improvements
• Value an honest and transparent partnership with your construction management company
• Require value-engineering strategies that maximize quality without overspending
• Want a construction manager who’s committed to delivering your renovation with minimal disruption

Canmore Renovations: Built With Care

More than anything, it’s important to find a construction management partner who genuinely cares about its clients and their projects.

“We care about building spaces that meet our clients’ needs, and we love building the relationships that allow us to do that,” says Melissa. “If a client wants to make a change and there’s no risk to ACS, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t explore it as long the quality is there at the end. I’ll stress myself out trying to get something open on time because I care so much.”

Ready to get started on your commercial renovations or tenant improvements? Contact us today to see how we can help bring your vision to life.

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Blog article written by: Scribe National

Photos by: Eva Urbanska