A client once bought a charming old bungalow in a mixed-use zone, intending to turn it into their new law office. They loved the "homey" feel. Their vision was simple: "Just a coat of paint, a new sign, and we're good to go, right?"
That's when I had to be the bearer of... reality. I brought out the commercial codebook. That "homey" front step? It wasn't ADA-compliant, so we needed a ramp. The "charming" 30-inch doorways? They all had to be torn out and reframed to 36 inches for wheelchair access. The "cozy" layout? It didn't have a clear, fire-rated emergency egress path. And that's before we even talked about commercial-grade electrical, parking calculations, and public restroom requirements.
We had to "de-home" the home, structurally, before we could add the "homey" design back in. It was a complete shift in their budget and perspective. We got it done, and it’s beautiful, but it was a lesson in how different the rules are.
A home is built for comfort. A commercial space is built for public safety.
My professional recommendation: Before you sign a lease or buy a building, pay a qualified commercial contractor for a pre-construction feasibility study. For a small fee, they will walk the space and identify all the code-required upgrades the building doesn't have. This report is the single most powerful negotiating tool you can have, and it will save you from "surprises" that can kill your budget—and your project—before it even starts.