Catch Richlen Construction's 35 Years in Business Ad on page 8 in Bay Area Building News summer 2013!

"Why is the Bay Area So Popular with Tenants? And What Could Kill the Buzz?" Richlen Construction recommends reading this featured (page 3) article in Bay Area Building News Summer 2013.

For 35 years, Richlen has constructed in the San Francisco Bay Area - we've experienced first-hand what sets the standards and drives the trends in the commercial building marketplace. Everyone wants prime location, accessibility, and the best value per dollar on square footage...Everyone wants the next trendy office! To the best of our abilities here at Richlen, we believe we help to provide our clients with it all! Our years in construction have enabled us to work with the areas' most proficient property managers, owners, architects, subcontractors, vendors, and expert personnel. However, our working relationships with these professionals may be compromised, if the state legislature proposed, "Split Roll Property Tax" is passed. Our clients, our colleagues... startups to small businesses (like the featured article points out), to women and minority-owned businesses, including ourselves will end up paying more for properties and work spaces, as well as our homes, and our rents. No California business is exempt!  New and old businesses may not have a choice, but to go elsewhere to neighboring states where taxes are lower and regulations are less, and a profit can be made.

Most in business are "tenants," including us! We lease our space at 45 Fremont Street in San Francisco, and we own our building headquarters in Pacheco. Ourselves and many other businesses proudly display our California business license on the front wall, behind our receptionist. It has our first dollar made. However, like others, it might not have that dollar bill in it for much longer. It may be an empty frame entirely, perhaps just like the building it's hung in. California business owners can only have optimism toward our state legislators. Confidence that they recognize if property taxes are increased, even if it is a smidgen, it will be the final kill-off for many established California's businesses. 

We at Richlen Construction can't imagine living and working anywhere else other than the San Francisco Bay Area!

 

Things to Do Before Hiring Commercial Remodeling Contractors

Undoubtedly, hiring remodeling contractor is considered as the most important part of a remodeling project that causes more stress than any other phase. Yet, almost everyone knows someone who has had a nightmare about a home remodeling job - the length of time it took; the inconvenience of noise and dust or the cost overruns even for small project.

Choosing a right contractor takes more time than buying a new car. But unfortunately most people spend less time choosing a contractor than they do choosing a car. This might lead to increased costs and dissatisfaction of their remodeling project.

This article gives you little information about the things which you need to do before hiring a commercial contractor in San Francisco. 

Planning your project? What do I want done? This might be a basic question. But you should carefully plan things like what you want to refinish and how much you have to spend etc... Thoughtful and careful planning will help you to avoid future headaches associated with remodeling.

What kind of commercial contractors I need? No wonder, there are more than 40 different types of commercial contractors in San Francisco. It’s your job to choose the right contractor for your project. For instance, if you’re looking for a contractor for your office remodeling project, then hire a licensed general contractor in San Francisco. One of the best ways to select a licensed contractor is to seek for references from friends, business associates or relatives who have recently completed a successful remodeling project.

Discuss bids in detail: Solicit at least three bids for the project you need. Discuss bids in detail with every contractor and compare the bids. Beware of any bids substantially lower than other bids. Don’t forget the old adage “If the offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is!”

Choose the right contractor and start your remodeling project today.

Richlen puts the final bling on South of Markets 888 Brannan Street’s full restoration

888 Brannan Street's new lobby atrium and courtyard are nearly completed.

General Contractor Richlen Construction is putting the final bling on San Francisco's South of Market's 888 Brannan Street’s full restoration.

Richlen is nearing completion of the 135,051 square feet Class A technology office space and wholesale GiftCenter & JewelryMart remodel.

This building was truly a diamond in the rough! Built 101 years ago, the five-story historical commercial property revealed its layers of multiple purposes and renovations. Now brand new mechanical, electrical, plumbing systems, and fixtures have been installed throughout the structure to support its fresh features. An opened Lobby and atrium featuring a “live waterfall wall," welcomes guests to sit and enjoy a beverage from the new café. Another inviting option for seating is just beyond the security desk, an outdoor courtyard and patio. The new security and registration counter is now closer to the relocated loading dock. We have helped make it easier for security to monitor and receive deliveries for merchants and tenants. We have also added brand new elevators and refurbished existing stairs. Employees of the businesses on site, and registered guest shoppers will find the gift and jewelry showrooms and restrooms easier to find, new signs, painted walls, and lighting fixtures, along with a tunnel allow access to over 125 wholesalers. Literally, every interior surface from floor to ceiling to its exterior, including the roof has been scraped down by hand or sandblasted and refreshed with paint or resurfaced entirely.

When the final punch-list is completed, 888 Brannan Street will be LEED Certified. A welcome attribute to new business owners looking for affordable leasing space with “office of the future” environmental quality amenities.

The refurbishment of 888 Brannan Street, we at Richlen can only believe will put San Francisco's South of Market back on the must "stops" when in the city!

Your General Contractor Knows that Offices are Getting Smaller

When working with general contractors, Bay Area business owners used to want to create the biggest office buildings that they could afford. Nowadays, however, smaller is considered better, and more and more professionals are choosing to create compact office buildings. Not only are smaller office buildings much more affordable to design and build, but they also contribute to a more collaborative feel amongst co-workers. Big, massive offices can feel impersonal, while smaller spaces facilitate sharing and connections.

Furthermore, there’s really no reason for those giant office buildings anymore. More and more people are working online or from home these days, reducing the need for constantly-available space. Also, many of today’s records and files are kept virtually, allowing professionals to bypass filing cabinets and file rooms full of paperwork.

When they start building with a general contractor, Bay Area professionals are encouraged to remember that less is more.

Touchdown Spaces the Next Big Thing in Commercial Remodeling

In terms of commercial remodeling, San Francisco office workers are regularly requesting more open work spaces.  The days of the old closed-off, individualized offices have passed and people are now requesting interconnected work spaces, free from doors or other boundaries that can cut off communication. One big trend is to create small touchdown spaces throughout the building. These might be spots with desks, laptops, printers, and other basic necessities. Anyone is invited to use these stations throughout the day and to move around freely, as opposed to people having one defined space where they spend their entire days.

The addition of touchdown spaces is made possible by the fact that most businesses and other organizations don’t rely on big old-fashioned filing cabinets or other outdated methods of recordkeeping any longer. No, these days, most paperwork and other necessary information is contained online or on computers, giving office buildings the ability to be more spacious and free.

For more info on what’s new in commercial remodeling, San Francisco residents can check out Richlen Construction.