Whether you are moving into a new suite in Midtown or reworking a floor in Sandy Springs, a buildout goes smoother when the big decisions are made before construction starts. This checklist is the one we walk through with commercial clients.
Before you sign the lease
- Know your TI allowance. Many leases include a tenant improvement allowance from the landlord. Understand what it covers and whether unused funds can be applied elsewhere.
- Get the building rules. Contractor insurance requirements, approved work hours, elevator and loading dock access, and any landlord-required vendors all affect cost and schedule.
- Walk the space with a contractor. What looks like a light refresh can turn into a major project once you account for ceilings, lighting, HVAC distribution and code updates.
Design and permitting
- Layout: offices, conference rooms, open work areas, break room, storage, and where people actually need power and data.
- Drawings: most commercial interior work needs drawings and a permit. In Atlanta and the surrounding cities, plan review takes time, so start early.
- Inspections: schedule them into the plan rather than treating them as a surprise at the end.
Technology is construction
This is the step most buildouts get wrong. Network cabling, Wi-Fi access points, security cameras, access control readers and AV all need cable inside walls and ceilings. If they are left until after paint, walls get opened again or cable ends up in surface raceway.
- Create a drop list: every desk, printer, TV, access point and camera.
- Decide on access control for entry and sensitive rooms.
- Plan camera coverage for entrances, reception and stock or server rooms.
- Choose where the network rack or closet goes, with power and ventilation.
We run structured cabling, cameras and access control with our own team as part of the buildout, so the wiring is planned before framing goes up.
Move-in
- Work backward from your move-in date and leave a buffer for final inspections and furniture delivery.
- Test the network, cameras and door access before the team arrives.
- Do a punch-list walk-through with your contractor and get the as-built cable labels and documentation.