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Commercial Renovation

Retail Center Makeover —
12,000 sqft Commercial
Renovation in Katy, TX

A complete transformation of a Katy retail shopping center: storefront modernization, interior redesign, upgraded electrical and HVAC, LED lighting, ADA compliance, and energy-efficient upgrades — all delivered in 8 weeks.

12,000
Square Feet
8 Wks
Duration
2024
Completed
5.0 ★
Client Rating
Project Overview

Full-Scale Retail Center Transformation

Tell Projects TX was selected to lead the complete renovation of a 12,000 square foot retail shopping center located in the heart of Katy, Texas. Built in the early 2000s, the property had reached the end of its useful design life and needed a full modernization to remain competitive in Katy's fast-growing commercial real estate market.

Our scope covered every aspect of the renovation: demolition of outdated storefronts, full interior layout redesign to optimize tenant flow, a complete electrical service upgrade to support modern tenant power demands, and an HVAC system overhaul with energy-efficient equipment. We installed modern LED lighting throughout all common areas and tenant spaces, dramatically reducing energy consumption while improving ambiance.

ADA compliance was a primary mandate for this project. We redesigned all building entrances, parking lot striping, ramp grades, door hardware, and restroom facilities to meet current ADA standards — protecting the property owner from liability while creating a welcoming environment for all visitors.

The project was executed in carefully sequenced phases to keep existing tenants operational throughout construction. By using temporary barriers, off-hours scheduling for noisy work, and coordinated staging, we maintained business continuity while delivering the renovation on time and within the agreed budget.

Project Quick Facts

Client Type
Commercial Property Owner — Multi-Tenant Retail Center
Budget Range
$850K – $1.1M Total Renovation
Scope
Full Gut Renovation — Interior + Exterior + MEP
Permits Pulled
Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing
Compliance
Full ADA 2010 Standards + Texas Accessibility Standards
Location
Katy, TX (77494 — West Grand Pkwy Corridor)
Crew Size
22 Tradespeople — Concurrent Peak Phase
Photo Gallery

Before, During & After

A visual walkthrough of the 12,000 sqft retail center renovation from demolition to grand reopening.

Scope of Work

8 Major Work Categories

Every trade and discipline required to deliver a complete commercial retail renovation in Katy, TX.

Storefront Design

New aluminum storefronts, impact-resistant glass, modern signage pylons, and canopy systems replacing outdated facades.

Interior Layout

Full demising wall reconfiguration, optimized tenant bay sizes, new ceilings, and improved pedestrian flow corridors.

Electrical Upgrades

200A service panel replacements per bay, new wiring throughout, EV charging rough-in, and smart meter sub-panels.

HVAC Systems

Removal of aging rooftop units, installation of 20 SEER2 commercial HVAC systems with smart thermostat controls per bay.

Lighting Design

Full LED conversion with 5000K commercial-grade fixtures, parking lot pole lighting, and dimmable accent lighting systems.

Flooring & Finishes

Polished concrete common areas, luxury vinyl plank for tenant suites, new base molding, wall finishes, and custom millwork.

ADA Compliance

Accessible entrances, compliant parking, van-accessible stalls, restroom retrofits, proper signage, and tactile warning strips.

Fire Safety

Sprinkler system reconfiguration, new fire alarm panel, emergency egress lighting, exit signage, and fire-rated door upgrades.

Challenges & Solutions

Real Problems, Expert Solutions

How Tell Projects TX navigated the toughest obstacles on this Katy retail renovation project.

Challenge 01

Compressed 8-Week Timeline

The property owner needed the renovation completed before the holiday retail season, leaving only 8 weeks — roughly half the typical timeline for a project of this scale.

Our Solution

We deployed double-shift crews and ran parallel trade scopes simultaneously across different building zones. Prefabricated components were ordered in advance and a detailed 3-week lookahead schedule ensured zero idle time.

Challenge 02

Live Tenants During Construction

Three anchor tenants refused to close during renovation, requiring all noisy, dusty, and disruptive work to be managed around active retail operations seven days a week.

Our Solution

Temporary dust barriers, negative air pressure machines, and sealed construction corridors contained all debris. Loud demo work was scheduled 6 PM to 6 AM with daily site restoration before each business opening.

Challenge 03

Multi-Permit Code Compliance

The renovation triggered full ADA compliance review, updated fire code requirements, and Texas Accessibility Standards — all requiring plan modifications mid-project after initial inspections.

Our Solution

Our licensed project manager coordinated daily with city inspectors, pre-scheduled all inspections to prevent backlog delays, and maintained a rapid response team to address punch list items within 24 hours of inspection findings.

Challenge 04

Budget Management Under Pressure

Discovery of concealed structural deficiencies and outdated wiring not visible during initial walkthrough threatened to push the project $120K over the original budget.

Our Solution

Value engineering substitutions on non-visible components, accelerated self-perform decisions on four scopes that were originally subcontracted, and our internal QA buyout process recovered $98K — keeping the final cost within 3% of the original contract.

Materials & Specs

Commercial-Grade Materials

Only professional-grade, code-compliant materials are used on every Tell Projects TX commercial renovation in Katy.

Commercial-Grade Flooring
Shaw Contract LVP — 20mil wear layer, 28 oz commercial rated
LED Light Fixtures
Lithonia Lighting 5000K, 130 lm/W, UL Listed, 50,000hr rated
Energy-Efficient HVAC
Carrier 48TC 20 SEER2 rooftop units, variable-speed drives
Smart Lighting Controls
Lutron EcoSystem dimming, occupancy sensors, scheduled zones
Impact-Resistant Glass
Vitro Solarban 70XL tempered, ASTM E1996 impact rated
Fire-Rated Doors
Allegion 90-minute rated steel doors, UL certified frames
Low-VOC Interior Coatings
Sherwin-Williams ProMar 400 — LEED compliant, scrubbable
TPO Roof Membrane
60-mil Carlisle Sure-Weld, Energy Star certified, 20yr warranty
Project Timeline

8-Week Delivery Plan

A phased construction approach that maximized parallel work and kept all tenants operational throughout the renovation.

1

Planning & Design

Weeks 1–2

Final construction documents, permit applications, material procurement, subcontractor mobilization, and site logistics planning. Pre-construction tenant meetings to communicate phasing and minimize disruption.

Permit Filing Material Procurement Sub Mobilization Tenant Communication
2

Demolition & Structural Prep

Week 3

Selective demolition of storefronts, non-structural demising walls, existing ceilings, flooring, and all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing rough-in removal. Site protected with dustproof barriers.

Storefront Demo Interior Demolition MEP Removal Debris Hauling
3

Core Construction

Weeks 4–7

All major trade work executed simultaneously: new storefronts, framing, MEP rough-in and trim-out, HVAC installation, LED lighting, flooring, painting, ADA upgrades, fire safety systems, and exterior improvements.

Storefront Install MEP Rough-In HVAC Install LED Lighting ADA Work Flooring
4

Final Inspection & Handover

Week 8

City inspections for all trades, punch list completion, final cleaning, certificate of occupancy issuance, owner walkthrough, tenant handover, and project close-out documentation delivered to client.

City Inspections Punch List CO Issuance Client Handover
Client Testimonial

What Our Client Had to Say

"Tell Projects TX delivered everything they promised — on time, on budget, and with a quality level that exceeded our expectations. Managing a live renovation while keeping our tenants open was a massive challenge, but their team handled it professionally every step of the way. The new storefront and interior look absolutely incredible. Foot traffic increased almost immediately after reopening. We've already contracted them for our next property in Katy."
PM
Property Management Group
Commercial Property Owner — Katy, TX
Retail Center Renovation — 12,000 sqft — 2024
Results & Impact

Measurable Outcomes

Real data from the first 12 months post-renovation, tracked by the property owner and their management team.

35%
Energy Savings

Reduction in monthly utility costs from LED lighting, high-efficiency HVAC, and smart controls versus prior systems.

40%
Foot Traffic Increase

Year-over-year increase in customer visits tracked by tenant POS data following storefront and interior modernization.

98%
Tenant Satisfaction

Post-completion satisfaction score from all tenant surveys, including categories for construction management and communication.

$2M+
Property Value Added

Estimated appraised property value increase per commercial real estate appraisal conducted 6 months after project completion.

Our Process

How We Deliver Results

Every Tell Projects TX commercial renovation in Katy follows this proven 4-step process for on-time, on-budget delivery.

1

Free Consultation

We visit your Katy property, evaluate the scope, discuss your goals and timeline, and answer all your questions — completely free, no obligation.

Schedule today
2

Custom Design & Quote

Our team prepares detailed construction documents, material selections, and a fully itemized fixed-price quote — no vague estimates or hidden fees.

3–5 business days
3

Expert Construction

Our licensed crews execute every trade with precision, following a detailed schedule with daily progress reporting and weekly owner meetings.

On time, on budget
4

Final Walkthrough

We conduct a thorough final inspection with you, complete all punch list items, deliver all warranties and as-built documents, and close out all permits.

100% satisfaction guaranteed
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about retail center renovation in Katy, TX.

A retail center renovation of 10,000–15,000 sqft in Katy, TX typically takes 6–10 weeks depending on scope. Our 12,000 sqft project was completed in 8 weeks through strategic phased scheduling that minimized tenant disruption while maintaining construction momentum.
Yes, with careful planning. We use phased construction schedules, temporary barriers, dust containment systems, and off-hours work to keep retail tenants operating during renovation. Our team coordinates with each tenant to minimize disruption to their business operations.
Commercial renovations in Katy, TX typically require a building permit, electrical permit, mechanical (HVAC) permit, and plumbing permit if applicable. ADA compliance upgrades may also require plan review. Tell Projects TX handles all permit applications and inspections on your behalf.
Retail renovation costs in Katy, TX typically range from $45 to $120 per square foot depending on the scope of work, finishes selected, and structural changes required. A full gut renovation with premium finishes averages $80–$120/sqft, while cosmetic refreshes run $45–$65/sqft. We provide detailed itemized estimates during free consultations.
Absolutely. ADA compliance is a core part of our commercial renovation services in Katy, TX. We handle accessible parking design, entrance ramp construction, door width upgrades, accessible restroom modifications, signage, and tactile flooring to bring your retail center into full ADA compliance.
Start Your Project

Start Your Retail Renovation Today

Tell Projects TX is Katy's leading commercial renovation contractor. Free consultation, detailed fixed-price quotes, and guaranteed on-time delivery. Call us now or request a quote online.

Licensed
TX Contractor
Insured
Full Coverage
15+ Yrs
Experience
5.0 Stars
500+ Reviews