If you’re planning on starting construction on a new building, or even moving your business into an existing building, please save yourself some trouble and read up on the following:
(Please note that these are general guidelines and obviously can’t and won’t apply to every project. These are just some free words of wisdom from guys that have been in the field awhile)
Absolutely one of the most crucial steps for every business out there. It really doesn’t matter what it is that you do. This is one step where we see people fail again and again. Generally speaking many general contractors don’t include network or phone cabling in their bids. Some architects will actually mark phone / data drops on blue prints but they’re not typically discussed in depth with clients. There are many things to consider BEFORE you start throwing around building materials. We’re usually happy to throw our two cents in and save you some headache down the road. The simple fact of the matter is, almost anyone can pull cable. Not many people do it right because they don’t take the time to talk to the most important people: THE CLIENTS. Whoever you work with should be asking you in depth questions about how you operate currently as well as your future plans.
If you haven’t chosen someone for cabling already, then now is certainly the time to make someone aware of your building plans. A dedicated closet for you phone and data equipment is ALWAYS a great idea. If you can spare the SQ. Footage, do it. Many people underestimate how much room some of this equipment can take up. This may seem like common sense but look at each bid completely and if you do not understand something, then ask. When we provide a bid, we bid the job in it’s entirety. We’ve been underbid only for the customer to find that the other vendor only quoted half the work. IE: “Well we said we would pull the cable, but didn’t mean we would terminate and put jacks on”. Etc.
If you’re planning to buy or rent an existing space, make sure it has the infrastructure in place so that your business has everything it needs to thrive. Sometimes, buildings may look beautiful and be a structural nightmare to do any work in. Here’s your highlights:
- Are there wallplates to plug in phones or computers already?
- Do the cables go back to a central location?
- Is the ceiling a drop-in ceiling, sheet rock, or open architecture?
Most businesses do not function without phone and internet. As stupid as that sounds, many people just don’t think about the actual wiring aspect until it’s too late. Sheetrock ceilings means running wire is usually more difficult but it doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Same principle applies to having open architecture. As neat as it can be sometimes, they haven’t invented invisible cable yet and it’s not always simple to hide in that environment. None of these things are deal breakers, or even us shaking our finger at anyone. They’re simply things you, the client, need to be aware of when you’re making decisions that could potentially cost you.
Have an upcoming project or a building already under construction? Check out our contact form and see what we can do to help!