Raleigh,North Carolina's Premier
Warehouse Contractors for Renovation and Expansion

Typical range: ~4–10+ months once design is complete; larger/complex scopes (MEP overhauls, structural changes, code upgrades) commonly land around 6–12 months. DRF Builders+2KH Construction Corp.+2

What’s inside that timeline: design 1–3 months; permitting 3–5 weeks (varies by jurisdiction); construction duration depends on scope/phasing.

• Building permit (most commercial improvements need one). Separate trade permits for electrical, mechanical, plumbing. code.mecknc.gov+1

• NC statute allows a limited <$40,000 exemption, but it has many carve-outs and most commercial scopes still trigger permits (and many jurisdictions state commercial work generally requires permits). Plan on permitting. North Carolina General Assembly+1

• Fire protection permits/approvals if you touch sprinklers, alarms, or egress. The IBC/IFC require maintaining egress and other safeguards during alterations. ICC Digital Codes+1

State environmental (when triggered by site work or hazards):

• Erosion & Sediment Control (ESC) Plan & permit if land disturbance ≥ 1 acre (some local programs use lower thresholds). NC Department of Environmental Quality+1

• NCG01 Construction Stormwater (NPDES) permit if you disturb ≥1 acre (file through NC DEQ). NC Department of Environmental Quality

• Asbestos: Pre-renovation asbestos inspection by a NC-accredited inspector is expected; HHCU permit/notification required if regulated ACM to be disturbed >160 sf / 260 lf / 35 cf. Also check local air agency (e.g., Mecklenburg) for NESHAP notification and fees. OSFM+2North Carolina Division of Public Health+2

• Lead paint (pre-1978 child-occupied areas): EPA RRP rule requires certified firms and lead-safe work practices. EPA+1

• Air quality permits if you add/modify emission sources (e.g., spray finishing, boilers, generators).

Often yes—with a phased plan and safety controls:

• Maintain two code-compliant exit routes (or as required) and keep exit routes available & protected during repairs/alterations; provide equivalent fire protection if systems are impaired. OSHA+1

• Follow IBC/IFC Safeguards During Construction: keep means of egress and accessible routes available/marked; coordinate pre-fire plans (NFPA 241). ICC Digital Codes

• Typical tactics: off-hours work, dust/noise partitioning, HEPA negative air, clear housekeeping, and tightly controlled work zones in occupied facilities.

Costs vary widely by scope (light refresh vs. heavy MEP/structural overhauls) and market.

• Commercial renovation (general): expect a broad band of ~$50–$250+/SF depending on complexity and finishes. Shannon Staley & Sons+1

• Selected retrofit line items (useful for budgeting chunks):

  • LED lighting retrofit: roughly $3–$8/SF for full fixture replacements/controls (simpler lamp swaps lower). Delta Wye Electric+1

• For context (new construction, base building): large U.S. warehouse projects average ~$77–$139/SF (shell), which does not include tenant/process fit-out; heavy TI can push totals higher. Cushwake Library

Best practice: define the renovation scope package (envelope, floors, office build-out %, docks, ESFR sprinklers, HVAC tonnage, electrical service, slab/spec upgrades). Then get a GC with industrial experience to turn that into a Class 4/5 estimate; use RSMeans or a GC’s historicals to refine.

Create an Environmental Compliance Plan early, led by your GC + environmental consultant:

1. Hazardous building materials: asbestos survey (and abatement permitting/notification if above thresholds); lead-safe work per EPA RRP where applicable. OSFM+2North Carolina Division of Public Health+2

2. Stormwater & erosion: ESC plan & NCG01 NOI if disturbing ≥1 acre; implement BMPs; pay applicable review fees. NC Department of Environmental Quality+2NC Department of Environmental Quality+2

3. Air permitting: if you add/mod equipment (e.g., spray booths, process heaters), coordinate with NC DEQ Division of Air Quality for permits or exemptions. NC Department of Environmental Quality+1

4. Legacy site issues: if contamination is known/suspected, consider the NC Brownfields Program to manage liability and access incentives; follow UST rules if any tanks are present/closing. NC Department of Environmental Quality+3

SBA 504 loan (owner-occupied real estate, long-term fixed rate; often used for renovations/major building improvements). Small Business Administration

SBA 7(a) (broader uses; can cover renovations/improvements; guaranty up to 75–85% depending on size). Small Business Administration+1

C-PACE (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy) in NC: Enabled statewide; EDPNC indicates NC C-PACE provides long-term private financing for energy/water/resiliency upgrades. Availability depends on local participation and project type—good fit for HVAC, lighting, envelope, and resilience components of a renovation. NC Sustainable Energy Association+2EDPNC+2

Plus: traditional bank CRE loans, equipment financing, and local utility rebates that stack with capex (e.g., for high-efficiency lighting/HVAC).