retail-commercial-interiors-construction

name	retail-commercial-interiors-construction
description	Retail stores, tenant fit-outs, and commercial interior construction management including lease coordination, landlord approvals, and fast-track delivery.

Retail and Commercial Interiors Construction

Comprehensive guidance for construction project managers working on retail stores, tenant improvement (TI) projects, and commercial interior fit-outs. Covers project types from big-box retail to inline mall tenants, corporate office interiors, restaurant build-outs, and multi-site rollout programs.

Quick Reference: Project Type Selection

Project Type	Typical Size	Key Considerations	Reference File
Big-Box Retail	50,000+ SF	High-bay, ESFR sprinklers, dock/receiving	big-box-retail.md
Inline Retail	1,000-10,000 SF	Landlord coordination, storefront criteria	inline-retail.md
Anchor Tenant	20,000-100,000+ SF	Ground lease, infrastructure, signage rights	anchor-tenants.md
Tenant Fit-Out	Varies	Work letter, TI allowance, landlord approval	tenant-fit-outs.md
Corporate Interior	5,000-500,000+ SF	Workplace strategy, density, amenities	corporate-interiors.md
Restaurant	1,500-10,000 SF	Kitchen, hood/exhaust, health dept	restaurant-food-service.md
Bank Branch	2,000-5,000 SF	Vault, security, drive-through	bank-branches.md
Medical Office	2,000-20,000 SF	Exam rooms, imaging, licensing	medical-office.md
Showroom	5,000-50,000+ SF	Display, product handling, high ceilings	showrooms.md
Retail Rollout	Multi-site	Prototype, standardization, program mgmt	retail-rollouts.md

Quick Reference: Lease and Landlord Coordination

Topic	Key Issues	Reference File
Shell vs. TI Delineation	Warm/cold shell, what's included, delivery condition	shell-core-ti-delineation.md
Ground-Up vs. Renovation	Timeline, constraints, hidden conditions	ground-up-vs-renovation.md
Work Letter/Allowance	TIA structure, disbursement, rent commencement	work-letter-allowance.md
Building Standard	Standard vs. above-standard, landlord markup	building-standard-above-standard.md
Lease Exhibits	Exhibit A-E, plan submissions, approvals	lease-exhibit-coordination.md
Landlord Approvals	Design criteria, plan review, inspection	landlord-approvals-criteria.md
Base Building Coord	HVAC, electrical, fire alarm tie-ins	base-building-coordination.md

Quick Reference: Retail-Specific Elements

Element	Key Considerations	Reference File
Storefront/Entrance	System types, glazing, doors, ADA	storefront-entrance.md
Visual Merchandising	Fixtures, display, lighting, flexibility	visual-merchandising-fixtures.md
POS/Checkout	Cash wrap, equipment, queuing, self-service	pos-checkout-design.md
Stockroom/BOH	Sizing, shelving, receiving, employee areas	stockroom-back-of-house.md
Loss Prevention	CCTV, EAS, alarming, access control	loss-prevention-security.md
Brand Standards	Prototype, guidelines, variance process	brand-standards-prototype.md
Signage	Exterior, interior, code, landlord criteria	retail-signage.md

Quick Reference: Food Service/Restaurant

Topic	Key Issues	Reference File
Commercial Kitchen	Layout, equipment, Type I/II hoods	commercial-kitchen-tenant.md
Hood/Exhaust	Duct routing, make-up air, roof penetration	hood-exhaust-coordination.md
Grease Interceptor	Sizing, location, plumbing requirements	grease-interceptor-plumbing.md
Health Department	Plan review, inspection, permit process	health-department-permitting.md

Quick Reference: Corporate Interior Elements

Element	Key Considerations	Reference File
Open Office	Workstation planning, density, acoustics	open-office-workstations.md
Private Office/Conference	Sizing, glass fronts, AV integration	private-office-conference.md
Reception	First impression, visitor mgmt, branding	reception-client-facing.md
Break Room/Amenities	Kitchen, fitness, wellness, mother's room	break-rooms-amenities.md
AV/Technology	Conference AV, displays, collaboration	corporate-av-technology.md

Quick Reference: Tenant MEP Coordination

System	Key Issues	Reference File
HVAC	Base building tie-in, supplemental cooling	tenant-hvac-systems.md
Electrical	Service, metering, panel capacity	tenant-electrical-metering.md
Fire Alarm/Sprinkler	Device additions, modifications, permits	tenant-fire-alarm-sprinkler.md
Telecom/Data	Riser access, IDF, cabling, WiFi	tenant-telecom-data.md

Quick Reference: Schedule and Logistics

Topic	Key Issues	Reference File
Fast-Track Schedules	Acceleration, early packages, premium time	fast-track-schedules.md
After-Hours Work	Occupied building, noise, access	after-hours-occupied-work.md
Phased Occupancy	Partial CO, move coordination, IT cutover	phased-occupancy-move.md
Landlord Access	Building rules, freight, security	landlord-access-coordination.md

Quick Reference: Code and Compliance

Topic	Key Requirements	Reference File
Mixed Occupancy	B, M, A-2 classification, separation	mixed-occupancy-code.md
Accessibility	ADA, accessible route, path of travel	tenant-accessibility.md
Egress	Exit access, travel distance, signage	egress-exit-access.md
Permit Expediting	Phased permits, third-party review	permit-expediting.md

Quick Reference: Stakeholders and Specifications

Topic	Coverage	Reference File
Stakeholders	Tenant team, landlord, brokers, vendors	retail-commercial-stakeholders.md
Specifications	CSI divisions 06-28 for interiors	specifications-csi.md

Typical Project Phases

Phase 1: Pre-Construction (4-12 weeks)

1. Lease execution and work letter review
2. Existing conditions survey and documentation
3. Design development and landlord submissions
4. Permit applications and expediting
5. Contractor procurement and buyout
6. Long-lead material identification and ordering

Phase 2: Construction (8-16 weeks typical TI)

1. Demolition and site prep
2. Rough framing and MEP rough-in
3. Inspections (framing, MEP rough)
4. Insulation, drywall, tape and finish
5. MEP trim and finishes
6. Flooring, ceiling, millwork installation
7. Final inspections and punch list

Phase 3: Closeout and Occupancy (2-4 weeks)

1. Punch list completion
2. Final inspections and Certificate of Occupancy
3. Landlord walk-through and sign-off
4. FF&E installation and merchandising
5. IT/telecom activation and testing
6. Move-in and store opening/occupancy

Critical Success Factors

Landlord Relationship

• Early engagement with property management
• Thorough understanding of design criteria
• Proactive communication on schedule and access
• Compliance with building rules and insurance requirements

Schedule Management

• Realistic duration based on scope complexity
• Long-lead identification at design phase
• Landlord approval timeline in schedule
• Permit timeline buffer
• Seasonal opening targets (retail)

Budget Control

• Work letter reconciliation before construction
• Above-standard scope clearly identified
• Landlord markup on above-standard work
• Change order documentation for TI reimbursement
• Retainage and final payment coordination

Quality and Brand Compliance

• Prototype adherence with documented variances
• Brand inspection readiness
• Landlord punch list preparation
• Store operations sign-off

Cross-References to Related Skills

Related Skill	When to Reference
procore-project-management	Documentation, RFIs, submittals, daily logs
vdc-bim-coordination	MEP coordination with base building
construction-safety-management	Occupied building safety, hot work
mechanical-plumbing-systems	HVAC systems, plumbing coordination
electrical-systems	Power distribution, lighting design
low-voltage-technology	Data, AV, security systems
fire-protection-systems	Sprinkler and fire alarm modifications
hospitality-construction	Restaurant and commercial kitchen
healthcare-medical-construction	Medical office tenant requirements
quality-control-closeout	Punch list, landlord sign-off
interior-finishes-trades	Flooring, ceiling, wall finishes
doors-frames-hardware	Storefront, interior doors

Key Metrics and Benchmarks

Space Planning Benchmarks

Space Type	Metric	Typical Range
Open Office	SF per person	125-175 SF
Private Office	Standard size	120-150 SF
Conference Room	SF per seat	25-30 SF
Retail Sales Floor	% of total	65-80%
Retail Stockroom	% of total	15-25%
Restaurant Kitchen	% of total	30-40%
Restaurant Dining	SF per seat	15-18 SF

Schedule Benchmarks

Project Type	Typical Duration	Fast-Track
Inline Retail (3,000 SF)	8-10 weeks	6-8 weeks
Big-Box Retail (80,000 SF)	16-24 weeks	12-16 weeks
Corporate TI (20,000 SF)	12-16 weeks	8-12 weeks
Restaurant (4,000 SF)	12-16 weeks	10-12 weeks
Bank Branch (3,500 SF)	10-14 weeks	8-10 weeks

Cost Benchmarks (General Guidance)

Project Type	Low-End $/SF	Mid-Range $/SF	High-End $/SF
Vanilla Box TI	$40-60	$60-90	$90-120
Retail Fit-Out	$80-120	$120-180	$180-300
Corporate Office	$60-100	$100-175	$175-350
Restaurant	$150-250	$250-400	$400-600+
Bank Branch	$200-300	$300-450	$450-600
Medical Office	$120-180	$180-280	$280-450

Note: Costs vary significantly by region, market conditions, and level of finish. These are general guidance only.