Tenant Improvements in Tampa Bay

A tenant improvement is construction work performed within a leased commercial space to customize it for a tenant's specific use. This includes everything from basic office buildouts (walls, flooring, ceilings) to specialized construction for restaurants, medical offices, or retail stores. TI work transforms vanilla shell or existing space into functional environments for business operations.

Yes, landlord coordination is essential for successful TI projects. We communicate with property management on building standards, required approvals, after-hours access, utility connections, and base building systems. Many landlords have specific requirements for contractors working in their buildings—we ensure compliance with all landlord policies and coordinate inspections.

A TI allowance is a dollar amount the landlord contributes toward tenant improvements, typically expressed as dollars per square foot. The allowance is negotiated as part of the lease. We provide budgeting during lease negotiations to help tenants understand what their TI allowance will cover and what additional investment may be required for their desired buildout.

Tenant improvement timelines vary by scope and complexity. Basic office buildouts: 4-8 weeks. Medical and professional suites: 8-12 weeks. Restaurant buildouts: 12-16 weeks (including hood installation and health permits). Retail stores: 6-12 weeks. We provide detailed schedules during pre-construction that account for permit times and landlord approval processes.

Yes, we regularly perform TI work in occupied buildings with adjacent tenants. This requires careful scheduling, noise management, dust control, and coordination with property management. We schedule loud work appropriately, maintain clean common areas, and minimize disruption to neighboring businesses.

Yes, we manage all permitting for tenant improvement projects. This includes building permits, electrical permits, plumbing permits, and mechanical permits. For restaurants, we coordinate health department requirements. For medical spaces, we navigate AHCA reviews if applicable. Permit timelines are built into project schedules.

A typical office buildout includes: demising walls and interior partitions, ceilings (typically suspended acoustic tile), flooring (carpet, LVT, or tile), interior doors and hardware, electrical and lighting, HVAC modifications, data and telecom rough-in, fire sprinkler modifications, and interior finishes (paint, trim, millwork). Scope varies based on tenant requirements and base building conditions.

Yes, restaurant construction is a specialty. We handle commercial kitchen buildouts including hood installation and makeup air, grease trap installation, walk-in coolers and freezers, three-compartment sinks, floor drains and FRP walls, dining room construction, bar areas, and all health department requirements. We coordinate with equipment suppliers and health inspectors.

Yes, we work to match existing building standards and finishes, particularly important in multi-tenant buildings where consistency is required. This includes matching ceiling systems, door and hardware styles, flooring transitions, and corridor finishes. Landlords often provide finish schedules that we incorporate into TI design and construction.

We provide tenant improvement services throughout Tampa Bay including Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon, Lakeland, Sarasota, and Bradenton. Our experience includes office buildings, retail centers, mixed-use developments, and medical office buildings across the region. Contact us to discuss your TI project location.