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Service 06, Design. Build. Grow.

Tenant Improvements and Build-Outs

A build-out is a construction project with a lease attached. Rent commencement, landlord approvals and an announced opening date make schedule the dominant constraint.

  • What this covers
  • Landlord coordination
  • Permits and approvals
  • Demolition, interiors and building systems
  • Fixtures, equipment and vendor coordination
  • Inspections and opening-date planning

Bauer-Build works backwards from the date you need to open and manages the approvals, permits and trades required to hold it.

01

Landlord coordination

We work within landlord construction rules: submitting plans for approval, meeting insurance and contractor requirements, coordinating building access and hours, and documenting work-letter and tenant-improvement-allowance requirements so reimbursements are not delayed.

02

Permits and approvals

Municipal review timelines vary widely across Chicagoland. We identify the reviewing jurisdiction's process early, prepare complete submissions, and track review comments so drawings are not sitting in a queue while your rent clock runs.

03

Demolition, interiors and building systems

Selective demolition, framing and drywall, ceilings, flooring, millwork, doors and hardware, glazing, paint and specialty finishes, coordinated with HVAC distribution, electrical, data, plumbing, fire protection and fire alarm.

04

Fixtures, equipment and vendor coordination

Furniture, casework, refrigeration, kitchen equipment, POS and security, signage and IT vendors all need power, data and access at the right moment. We put vendor dates on the construction schedule so nobody arrives to an unready space.

05

Inspections and opening-date planning

Final inspections, health-department review where applicable, and certificate of occupancy are sequenced so training, stocking and hiring can be planned with confidence.

On the job

Installer setting suspended ceiling grid during a commercial tenant build-out
New sheet metal ductwork run above the ceiling of a commercial build-out

How this service runs

  1. 01

    Discover

    Understand the business behind the building.

  2. 02

    Define

    Turn goals into a defined scope and an early budget range.

  3. 03

    Plan

    Preconstruction, pricing, permits and procurement.

  4. 04

    Build

    Supervised, sequenced, reported construction.

  5. 05

    Deliver

    Punch, inspections, closeout and turnover.

  6. 06

    Support

    Warranty and follow-through after opening.

See the full process

Tenant Improvements and Build-Outs FAQs

How early should we involve a contractor in a lease?
Before signing. A contractor walkthrough can identify base-building deficiencies and code triggers worth negotiating into the work letter. See our article on what to know before signing a commercial lease.

Design. Build. Grow.

Planning tenant improvements and build-outs?

Tell us what you are planning. You will get a straight answer on feasibility, budget range and schedule, before you commit to design.

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