In a perfect world, your business would renovate before moving into a space then never have to worry about renovating again. Unfortunately, things get worn and outdated. If you’re in the same space for any length of time, you will eventually have to renovate at least a portion of your space. 
Whether you’re replacing the roof in the summer, you’re redoing the kitchen in the winter, or you’re ready to gut the entire workspace and remodel every square inch from top to bottom, there are things you can do to keep your business running throughout the construction process. 

Inform Your Employees 

Open communication is important in the workplace, but it’s especially important if you’re preparing for a remodel. Working around construction schedules and trying to get work done on the perimeter of construction zones can be frustrating, so it’s not something you want to drop on your employees the morning construction is supposed to begin. 
Instead, give your employees plenty of notice that the construction project is taking place. Discuss your plans, the time frame for when the project is expected to be finished, and ask them for their input. They may have an idea for keeping the business running during construction that you haven’t thought of. 
It’s also important to discuss what might happen if things aren’t working out. Discuss a plan B and a plan C so no one is surprised at any point during the construction process. With multiple plans in place, they will also feel confident that you will find a solution to unforeseen issues in a timely manner. 

Inform Your Customers 

Not only should you inform your employees about the upcoming construction project, you should also inform your customers. 
If you operate a store, send out an email newsletter to subscribers and update social media to outline the upcoming construction project and how it will affect your hours of operation, your offerings, and when construction is expected to be finished. Make sure you emphasize how the remodel will make their shopping experience better when it’s all over! 
If you serve clients, you may have to share that response times might be slower or you may have to meet somewhere different for the time being. No matter who your clients or customers are, they will be glad that you took the time to manage their expectations. 

Reassess Parking 

Parking lot etiquette is a thing that can be surprisingly difficult to manage during the best of times. If you have contractors staging materials and parking large equipment in your parking lot, you’re going to have to figure out how you and your employees are going to get to work. 
Set aside plenty of space that your contractor can use throughout the remodel and leave the rest of the parking lot open for your employees. If it means allowing your contractor to use the grounds, make sure you have a plan in place to redo the lawn after construction is over. 
If parking is going to be an issue, make sure you tell your employees ahead of time so you can brainstorm potential solutions. You may have to help them pay for temporary transportation for a while, you may be able to coordinate carpools to reduce the number of cars in the parking lot, or you may discover that some of your employees live close enough to bike to work for the time being. 

Avoid Working During Construction Hours 

If it can be helped, try and avoid working during construction hours. A few ideas for doing that include: 

• Consider working half days one or more days during the week so construction can take place the other half of the day. 
• Hire a contractor who is willing to operate in the evenings and weekends so you can continue working during the week. 
• Ask employees if they are willing to come in early or stay late to get in a few hours of uninterrupted work time. 

Do One Thing at a Time 

Although it sounds ideal to work on multiple projects at once to get them over with, it can be absolutely terrible if you’re planning on working throughout construction. Instead, focus on completing one project at a time. 
For example, if you have the roof completed before you remodel the bathrooms, you don’t have to worry about two contractors taking up space in your parking lot. If you’re remodeling the showroom floor, remodeling half of the area at a time enables you to keep the other half open. 

Work Off-Site 

As much as you may want to make working on-site work, it just may not be possible. If you work in a small space, if you’re planning a huge remodel, or the sound of faraway construction will affect employees on the phone, you may want to consider working off-site. 
If you have the budget, it might mean finding a temporary workspace to rent, but you can also consider allowing your employees to work remotely, even if they can only work remotely a portion of the time. You may be surprised to discover that everyone gets just as much, if not more, done by working from home. 

Hire the Right Contractor 

Regardless of the construction project you’re planning, it’s important to hire the right contractor. There are a lot of horror stories out there about bad contractors. You don’t want to add your story to the list. 
Look up reviews of contractors you’re interested in working with, ask them about their track record for sticking to a deadline, and do a little research to make sure they are licensed and bonded. You should also look for a contractor with experience working with businesses. The right contractor will support you as you try and find ways to operate during construction. 
No matter how big or small, at some point, your business is going to have to undergo a renovation. That doesn’t mean everyone has to take a vacation! When you follow the tips on this list, you can remain operational throughout the construction process.