Commercial Renovations
By 7Acre Construction
Your Opening Date Runs the Schedule
A commercial renovation runs on a clock that a home renovation doesn't. Rent starts, a lease term begins, staff need somewhere to work, and every week past your opening date costs real money.
We plan upfits backward from the day you need to be operating, then work around whatever hours you have to stay open to get there.
Brian learned the differences between commercial and residential construction managing work for a national builder, and we've carried that into offices, retail spaces, restaurants, commercial kitchens, and medical suites since. Many of our commercial clients are family-owned businesses, which is the kind of work we understand best, since we're one too.
We'll also tell you early if a timeline isn't realistic, because hearing that now costs you far less than hearing it in month three.
What Is a Tenant Improvement Allowance
A tenant improvement allowance is money a landlord contributes toward building out a leased space, usually quoted as a dollar amount per square foot and paid out as the work is completed.
It's negotiable, and it's frequently negotiated badly. Allowances tend to be more generous on longer lease terms and in buildings with vacancy to fill, and the number itself matters less than what it's allowed to cover.
Some allowances apply only to permanent improvements that stay with the building. Others can be applied toward design fees, permits, or equipment. Read that language before you sign, because it determines how much of your own money you'll be spending.
The gap is where businesses get caught. An allowance rarely covers a full buildout, particularly for restaurants and medical suites where specialized systems drive the cost well past what a landlord will fund.
Knowing that gap before you sign a lease is the difference between a manageable project and a scramble.
We're glad to walk a space with you during the lease negotiation, before anything is signed. A rough scope and a realistic number at that stage give you something concrete to negotiate with, and it costs you nothing but an hour.
Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Renovations
- How much does a commercial upfit cost in Charlotte?expand_more
- Most of our commercial projects fall between $75,000 and $750,000. Use type drives that far more than square footage does. A straightforward office suite and a restaurant of identical size are entirely different projects, because the restaurant needs grease interception, specialized ventilation, and equipment power the office never will.
- Can you work while we stay open?expand_more
- Often, yes, and we plan for it when the space allows. That usually means phasing the work, sequencing the loud portions outside business hours, and putting up proper dust and noise separation. We'll be honest during the walkthrough about whether staying open is realistic for your particular space.
- Do you handle permits and inspections?expand_more
- We do. Commercial permitting is more involved than residential and varies considerably between Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and the surrounding jurisdictions. We manage the submittals, the inspections, and the coordination with your landlord's requirements.
- Are you licensed in South Carolina?expand_more
- Yes. We hold licenses in both North Carolina and South Carolina, so we can take projects in Fort Mill, Tega Cay, Indian Land, and across the state line without a partner contractor.
Our Process
Commercial improvements we provide:
Where We Work
7Acre Construction is based in Charlotte and works across the metro on both sides of the state line, licensed in North Carolina and South Carolina. Most of our remodeling happens in established neighborhoods where the homes have individual character. We also build custom homes and take on commercial upfits for offices, retail spaces, and more throughout the region. If your home, your lot, or your business sits in or near one of the areas below, we'd be glad to talk about your project.
Our Service Area
- Belmont
- Charlotte
- Davidson
- Eastover
- Fort Mill
- Harrisburg
- Indian Land
- Indian Trail
- Marvin
- Matthews
- Mint Hill
- Myers Park
- Pineville
- South Park
- Tega Cay
- Waxhaw
- Weddington
Remodeling & Custom Home Cost Guide
Cost is at the top of most people's minds when starting a project. It's important for us to be transparent about costs, too. Our comprehensive guide includes:
- Cost ranges for each type of service we provide
- Multiple cost tiers for each service
- What's included in each tier
Hear From Your Neighbors
"My husband and I hired 7Acre to complete a renovation to our outdoor living space and convert our garage storage room to a pool bathroom. Along the way, we had two bathrooms that needed to be renovated as well, and they were happy to assist. Throughout the course of our project, the 7Acre team was very responsive, respectful, and outstanding at communicating. It was a pleasure working with Brian Sr, Brian Jr, and John. We couldn’t be happier with what they’ve done with our house. They will be our go-to team for any work we need completed moving forward. I highly recommend them for all sorts of projects!”
Elizabeth O.
Working with Brian Sr., Brian Jr and John made life easy for us, giving my wife and I peace of mind that the work was being done professionally and with all the care and attention to detail required to deliver a superior product."
Bruce J.
"I interviewed several contractors for my project. At our first meeting, Brian Sr. was very clear that he wanted me to be happy with the results and get exactly what I wanted from the renovation. He and his team delivered on his promise. The first floor was pretty much gutted. I have a gorgeous kitchen, living room with added architectural details, reconfigured primary bedroom and bath. Brian Jr. was on top of all the details as the renovation progressed and went above and beyond to make the project run smoothly. I love my new home and couldn’t be happier."
Carolyn S.
"This is the second time I’ve used this team. Not only do they do excellent work, but they’ve actively defined the design work to fit my particular home vision. Their team is prompt, respectful, and does excellent work. Management (the owners) stay engaged with the project, supervise the work, and check in constantly on the project status, any needed changes, and, most importantly, my satisfaction with the work! They are definitely my team of choice. I have recommended them to other friends who’ve also been thrilled with their work and, importantly, with their ethics!"
Betty H.
"7Acre fixed a leak in a 2nd-floor shower that was visible in the kitchen below. They found the leak, fixed the bathroom tile and the kitchen ceiling. John and Brian were professional and polite, keeping us informed of every step along the way. We will call them again!"
Courtney O.
"Brian at 7Acre has been amazing with my client referrals. He’s prompt, professional, and overdelivers. My clients have ALL been satisfied, and we look forward to working on many projects in the future!"
Desiree H.
"Brian has been very responsive and has kept us updated if there have been any changes to our project. The work has progressed well, and we are looking forward to completing the project soon and moving in."
Todd A.
Improve Your Commercial Space
We're Here to Help
Walk the space with us, and we'll give you a rough scope and a realistic number to take back to the landlord. There's no cost for that, and it's the single most useful thing a contractor can do for you before a lease is signed.