A commercial project runs on two clocks: the construction schedule and the business that is waiting to open, expand or reopen. Ramos General Building builds for private business owners, property owners and tenants across Oakland and the Bay Area, and we also work with general contractors who need a reliable crew. We do not take public works or city contracts: our commercial work is for private clients.
Commercial construction services
- Tenant improvements. Building out a shell or reworking an existing suite for a new tenant: walls, ceilings, doors, finishes and coordination of mechanical, electrical and plumbing work.
- Office and retail remodels. Updating layouts, finishes, lighting and storefronts so the space works for staff and customers.
- Restaurant build-outs. Dining rooms, restrooms and kitchen areas built around health department and fire requirements.
- Accessibility upgrades. Entrances, restrooms, counters and paths of travel brought up to current accessibility standards.
- Ground-up commercial buildings. New commercial construction, planned the same way as our new construction projects.
Oakland permits for commercial projects
Commercial work gets more review than most residential projects, and the order matters:
- Planning first, when needed. Exterior changes or a change of use go through planning review, and sometimes a conditional use permit, before the building permit application.
- Building permit. Required for tenant improvements, with plans and an accessibility checklist based on California Building Code Chapter 11B.
- Separate trade permits. Mechanical, electrical and plumbing work need their own permits.
- Other agencies. Restaurants and bars need Alameda County Environmental Health approval before building permits are issued, and fire, transportation or public works permits can apply depending on the scope.
- Recycling plan. Every Oakland building permit requires an approved construction waste recycling plan.
Keeping a commercial project on track
Most delays on commercial jobs come from the paperwork and the long-lead items, not from the construction itself. We help by reviewing plans early for buildability, ordering doors, storefront glazing and fixtures as soon as selections are final, and sequencing trades so inspections happen in the right order. You get a written scope and regular updates, so you can plan the opening or the move-in around real progress.
Residential experience behind our commercial work
Because we also build homes, additions and kitchens, our crew is used to working in occupied spaces, protecting finished areas and leaving the site clean at the end of each day. Commercial clients get the same attention to finish quality that homeowners do. Start with a free estimate or read about our process.