It is not uncommon for houses to be converted into units that can be used for commercial purposes, or as rental property. Converting a house into a commercial property is not as difficult as it sounds. While there are regulations to meet before you can convert an old house into a low-cost commercial space, they too are basically straightforward.
Before you get started with converting your old house into a business property, a bit of planning is needed. You need to make sure that the space meets the requirements for an effective commercial space. Here are the tips and tricks you can use to get started.
Zoning Regulations
If the goal is to convert your house into a fully-featured commercial space, the first thing you need to do is check whether it is permitted by the local government. There are zoning rules to follow and standards to meet before you can move forward with the conversion. Tenants have their own responsibilities as well.
It is also a good idea to check with the neighbors, particularly if you are opening a retail space or a business that attracts a lot of traffic. The only exception is when only a portion of the house gets converted into an office
If the home is inside an area government by a Homeowner’s Association, you’ll need to check and see if having a rental property is within their guidelines. Most of the time it is but you’ll want to make sure.
Structure and Layout
Depending on the kind of commercial space you need, it is also necessary to take a closer look at the existing layout of the house and see if it suits your business needs. When converting an old house into a trendy office for a start-up, for example, big and open spaces are more suitable than enclosed rooms.
The layout of the house is among the things you can modify to make the property more suitable for commercial use. You can even take steps to minimize the changes that need to be made by utilizing as much of the available space as possible.
Climate and Ventilation
Next, you need to tackle the issue of maintaining the interior climate of the space. While a simpler ventilation system is more than enough for home use, you have to go one or two steps further if you want to use the space for commercial purposes.
Look into commercial ventilation systems that also have heat recovery features. Systems from BPC Ventilation let you improve indoor air quality and maintain the interior climate effectively and efficiently. Each local government has regulations as to what is
Lighting and Electrical Systems
Of course, you cannot convert a house into a commercial space without making changes to the electrical system. Old residential wirings may not be suitable for commercial use, mainly when additional appliances, computers, and additional devices are added to the space.
Some homeowners go a step further and add solar panels as part of the changes. This allows the commercial space to rely on renewable energy. In some cases, it is even possible to supply electricity back to the grid and earn extra income from solar panels.
These changes are among the many you have to make when converting an old house into a functional commercial space. It is a more efficient solution to acquiring commercial space and it is an option you should explore.
