Is Your Commercial Property Accessible? Build or Remodel Your Property in Mid-Missouri With Help From PCE Construction, the ADA-Compliant Commercial Builder

Designing accessible commercial spaces isn’t just the right thing to do–it’s the law! Old commercial buildings need to be modified and new construction projects must be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Every type of space will have different rules they need to follow, so hiring a commercial contractor who can deliver an accessible, ADA-compliant commercial building or renovation without issue is vital to the success of your business or organization. Don’t know where to start with accessibility concerns in your commercial renovation or build? Don’t worry! PCE Construction has been around since the Americans with Disabilities Act was established and we know all the regulations that must be followed in order to deliver a successful build.

Learn about the requirements for commercial spaces in America, and contact PCE Construction if you want only the best for every one of your employees, customers, clients, and patients.

What Is the Americans With Disabilities Act & How Does It Impact Commercial Construction Requirements in Mid-Missouri?

A brief history lesson on the Americans with Disabilities Act

Established in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act is a civil rights law that prohibits any type of discrimination based on a disability. It also requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for disabled employees. Finally, the Americans with Disabilities Act requires a level of accessibility for all public places that was not previously set. The Americans with Disabilities Act serves millions of people with disabilities and PCE Construction is proud to design, build, and remodel commercial properties for everyone.

Why is it important to hire an ADA-compliant commercial contractor in mid-Missouri?

Before a public building can open its doors, it must be inspected and approved for use by all, including those with disabilities. No one wants to get stuck in the construction process because their builder didn’t think to include the required accommodations. Not only can this cost you additional dollars in construction fees, but you could be fined later if something is missed. 

The best time to think about your ADA compliance is before you approve the blueprints of your commercial build or renovation. Working with an accessibility expert like the team at PCE Construction can help you design a more welcoming space that meets and even exceeds the requirements set forth by the ADA. In fact, if you are a small business and you go above and beyond in your ADA-compliant design, you may be eligible for a tax credit through the state of Missouri. Open your doors to everyone when you work with PCE Construction to build or renovate your commercial property. 

Common ADA features 

You know you need to incorporate ADA-compliant features into your build or renovation, but what exactly needs to be included during design and construction? You’ve probably already considered having accessible parking spaces and restrooms, but do you know how many ramps you might need to make your building mobility device accessible? Have you considered the size of your reception area or offices to make space for service animals or wheelchairs? What about incorporating Braille into your indoor and outdoor signage? There are a lot of things to consider when building an accessible commercial space in mid-Missouri. Luckily, the team at PCE Construction will help you address them all. We can incorporate the required features of a public use space, as well as include additional features that make you stand out from less accessible spaces. Explore all the features you must include in your build to get the whole picture of what building for ADA compliance looks like. 

The most common ADA requirements for public-use spaces like commercial offices, retail stores, restaurants & medical facilities 

While this list doesn’t cover every single accommodation outlined by the ADA, it does include the features that most often create a barrier for anyone who may have a disability. A barrier is anything that makes accessing your commercial building more difficult or impossible for those with a disability. For example, if your store requires someone to take a step up to enter the retail floor, your property has a physical barrier preventing everyone from accessing your shop. Cluttered offices or restaurants also make it difficult for those who use a mobility device, cane, or service animal to safely navigate your commercial building. Incorporate the following features to make visiting your property possible for everyone. 

• Accessible parking with clear signage 
• At least one mobility-device-friendly entrance
• Accessible pathways between primary points of service
• Connect the entrance to reception, offices, retail displays, checkout, and other regular points of contact for a customer, client, or patient 
• Braille signs for visually impaired visitors 
• Accessible restrooms for those who use a mobility device like a manual or powered wheelchair 

What other accommodations can be made to make my commercial build more accessible? 

• Accessible entrances
• Automatic doors
• Lower handles for manual doors
• Lower locks for employee access
• Accessible pathways free of overgrown landscaping
• Accessible interiors 
• Restrooms with stalls, handrails, and accessible sinks and counters 
• Elevators 
• Wide hallways, doorways, and common areas 
• Signage for ADA routes during emergencies 
• Private office accessibility
• ADA-friendly common areas like kitchens and break rooms
• Private accessible bathrooms or stalls
• Wide hallways and doors for easy access
• Clutter-free spaces 
• Easy-to-see and access interior signage 
• Public office accessibility
• Open and accessible reception, including a check-in desk for wheelchair or mobility device access
• ADA-compliant hallways and doorways for clients or patients 
• Easy elevator access to other floors
• Clutter-free public spaces 
• Retail center accessibility
• Wide shopping lanes for multiple wheelchair or mobility device users 
• Wide checkout lanes for wheelchair or mobility device users
• Clear paths from products to checkout lanes 
• Restaurant accessibility 
• Clear paths from the entrance and host desk to tables
• ADA-compliant tables 
• Accessible restrooms
• Open paths from ADA-compliant tables to restrooms and entrances and exits

PCE Construction is mid-Missouri’s first choice of commercial contractors who always build with ADA compliance in mind

Staying up to date on best practices for accessible public places doesn’t need to be your responsibility. If you’re overseeing the construction of a new commercial building in mid-Missouri, you already have enough work to manage. Let PCE Construction handle the construction process and ADA requirements. After all, we’re the mid-Missouri experts in all things accessible design and build. Not only can we make your space pass all the necessary requirements for the Americans with Disabilities Act, but we can also make it look good.

Accessible features will be seamlessly integrated into your build. At first glance, you may not even notice the accommodations were made. However, those with a disability will. Safe handrails can be installed throughout the entire building, not just in the restrooms. This is an important feature, especially for medical offices. If you run a bustling office, installing a kitchen or breakroom with lower counter heights and appliances within reach can enhance access for all and look modern and clean. You should also think about how cubicles or offices are arranged. Wide hallways create free movement opportunities for all your employees and clients.

Curious about what else you can do to enhance the accessibility of your build? Choose PCE Construction from the very beginning. We think about ADA requirements and enhancements before we break ground, so you can trust nothing will be missed when it comes to accessibility and access. Learn more about our new construction services and contact us to start learning how you can optimize your new commercial construction project in mid-Missouri.

Redesign your commercial property in mid-Missouri with ADA-compliant features that benefit everyone

Renovating a commercial property for ADA compliance comes with unique challenges that must be handled by an experienced commercial builder. Depending on when it was built and if there is a historic aspect to the structure, you’ll need to follow modified rules regarding ADA compliance. Luckily, commercial property owners who need to renovate their spaces to meet modern ADA standards can rely on PCE Construction to deliver a safe, attractive renovation or addition in mid-Missouri.

We’ll walk your property with you to see what changes must be made according to the law, what may need to be modified to fit within the ADA laws, and where we can improve accessible spaces that already exist. This 360-degree approach to commercial renovations will keep you compliant with the ADA while maintaining the integrity of the original build.

PCE Construction will present a project scope based on what is necessary and what is optional, giving you the opportunity to make the most of this renovation. If you’re also renovating your commercial property for style, our designers will incorporate accessibility-friendly features that also look great according to your preferred design style and the style of the existing building. From traditional touches to modern amenities, PCE Construction delivers the best of the best in commercial renovation in mid-Missouri.

To start the commercial renovation process with PCE Construction, reach out today. We specialize in renovations and historical restorations, so you know we can give you the accessible and attractive commercial property you’ve been dreaming of. Get in touch with us today!

Make a positive impact in your community with PCE Construction, mid-Missouri's top ADA-compliant commercial construction company 

When you work with PCE Construction, you are employing a group of passionate, accepting engineers, builders, and project managers who love creating public spaces that welcome everyone. Our commitment to designing ADA-compliant commercial spaces goes hand in hand with our commitment to your build. From the very beginning of the build process, you’ll feel heard and be presented with designs that fit your budget and goals. Throughout the life of the project and beyond, we’ll keep regular communication so you never miss a milestone. Once the build is complete, we’ll be there to support your future growth and development in the mid-Missouri community. Find the support and craftsmanship you deserve from a commercial construction company with PCE Construction.