Options Abound When it comes to Tenant Improvements in Concrete Tilt-Up Buildings

People often don’t realize their options.

Here is a familiar scenario: a potential tenant very much wants to rent from an owner but is reluctant to sign the lease because he/she feels the space will not fit their needs. The owner thinks he can find a different tenant that’s not so picky and moves on. However, the next tenant has the same reservation. And the next one…

So the owner and the tenant both end up missing out. The owner loses a potential paying tenant and the tenant forfeits what could be a great location. With a little lateral, out-of-the-box thinking, both parties could be satisfied with an innovative solution that leaves everyone satisfied.

The good news is that you can add windows and doors and even large roll up doors to a concrete tilt up building with the proper planning. What many people don’t realize is the flexibility of concrete. In most cases, you can also put new holes into the concrete to end up with a more dynamic, desirable building.

As a contractor, over the years I have completed well over 100,000 square feet of tilt-up buildings. In that time I also have re-conceived and remodeled at least that much square footage in tenant improvements. I have been able to place tenants into spaces that they thought were unworkable. In reality we could alter the concrete to their suit their particular needs and make it work. Likewise, I have talked to owners of tilt-ups that did not know they had these options or thought that they were impossible based on the size of the budgets.

If you are interested in learning about how to modify your investment, the first step I highly recommend is to contact a Structural Engineer for a consultation.

You may think that the services of a Structural Engineer are too expensive but in reality, the advice of a seasoned professional as well as the cutting of the new openings can all be easily rolled into the maintenance expenses of a typical lease.

If you wish to discuss your options or need a Structural Engineer recommendation, please do not hesitate to contact me at: shepherdconst@gmail.com