General Contractor in Hurley, New Mexico

A former shop on a village street, a worn commercial building with a leaking roof, an old industrial shed that could serve as a workshop or storage space: renovation and tenant improvement of existing buildings is the work owners in Hurley ask us about most, and it asks a lot of a builder. We begin by surveying what is there, then we schedule, coordinate, supervise and inspect the trade partners who do the work, and we report to the owner in plain written updates. A renovation price is only as good as the survey behind it.

Hurley sits at 5,716 feet, with the large open pit Chino Mine and its related facilities just to the east. The village smelter began operating in 1939, was modernized in 1985 and closed for good in 2005, while a concentrator named Ivanhoe took over from the Hurley ore mill in 1982. Buildings in a place with an industrial history can carry the evidence of it, from heavy concrete and steel to older wiring and finishes, and a careful builder checks each of them before promising a price.

We also build retail, restaurant and main street commercial space, which often follows a renovation when an owner decides to open a shop or café.

What to learn before buying an older building

The first question is what the building was used for. A former shop, a storage building and an office have different structures, utilities and hazards. We look at the roof, the walls, the foundation, the electrical service, the plumbing and the accessibility of the entry, and we note where water has entered and where it has not. Older buildings may contain asbestos, lead paint or other materials that need testing before demolition, and we arrange testing and removal through qualified trade partners. Soil conditions near former industrial areas can also matter, so we ask whether the owner has any environmental information and discuss what additional study would make sense. A phase one environmental review is a sensible step before a purchase of any commercial property with an industrial past, and we can help the owner understand the results and their effect on schedule and cost.

We provide a written list of likely costs, sorted by urgency, so a buyer or landlord can decide whether a building is a good candidate.

Safe renovation practices

Renovation exposes workers to dust, noise, old wiring and hidden hazards. We test for hazardous materials where the building's age suggests it, shut off and lock out utilities before opening walls and keep a clean, organized site. Each trade partner follows a written safety plan. Silica dust from cutting masonry or concrete requires wet cutting or vacuum control, and we enforce it. When the building remains occupied, we separate the work with barriers, protect exits and escape routes and tell occupants what to expect each day. Heat in summer calls for shade, water and early starts. Fall protection on old roofs deserves special care, because decking that looks sound can fail underfoot. We probe, cover openings and use guardrails or harnesses before anyone steps on a roof, and we inspect temporary lighting and extension cords every day.

Services that go with a renovation

Most renovations draw on several services. Renovation and adaptive reuse covers larger changes of use. Tenant improvements cover interior layouts, finishes and systems for a new occupant. Demolition removes what cannot stay, with careful protection of what remains. We combine them under one schedule so the owner has one contact and one set of updates. Where a building will serve shoppers or diners, our retail construction experience informs storefront, entry and sign choices, and we explain how a modest investment in the front of a building changes how customers see it. Roofs, windows and mechanical systems usually carry the largest renovation costs, so we price those first and help the owner decide what to repair and what to replace.

From survey to turnover

We survey the building, prepare a scope in writing and price it in categories. Then we coordinate the design team and trade partners, supervise construction and inspect each phase before the building department does. Near the end we run a final walk, prepare a punch list, collect warranties and manuals and train the owner. U.S. Route 180 passes through Hurley, running 4 miles north to Bayard and 38 miles southeast to Deming and Interstate 10, so suppliers from larger markets reach the site along a single highway. Silver City and Lordsburg supply additional trade partners and inspectors, and we schedule deliveries to arrive when installers are ready.

Grant County Airport lies about three miles south of Hurley, with a 6,802 by 100 foot asphalt runway at 5,446 feet. It gives owners' representatives and engineers another way to reach the site, and it gives us a way to bring specialists in quickly for a one-day inspection of a roof, a boiler or a structural problem.

Permits for a change of use

When a renovation changes how a building is used, the local building department may require different exits, fire protection, accessibility and parking. We prepare drawings that show existing conditions and the proposed work, then meet with the department before submittal. Comments are tracked in a log, and each answer is written. Where a building is old, the department may ask for a structural review, and we arrange it with an engineer early so the schedule is not surprised. Bringing a building up to current requirements is simpler when the owner knows the scope before the work begins, and a pre-application meeting often shortens the review. Accessible routes, restroom counts and exit widths are the most frequent items, and each of them can change the floor plan, so we draw them first and price them early. Property management firms often rely on this early scope to plan reserves.

Plan your Hurley renovation with us

Tell us about the building and what you want it to become. We will walk it with you, write down what we find and send a written plan with a schedule and budget range.

Questions Owners Ask

How do you price work in an old building?

We survey the building, open small test areas where allowed and carry a contingency for what we cannot see. Prices are given in categories, and we explain how a surprise would be handled before work begins.

Do you test for hazardous materials?

Yes, when the age or history of the building suggests it. Testing is done before demolition by qualified firms, and removal is arranged through licensed trade partners under the rules that apply.

Can we convert a shed or storage building into a shop?

Often. We check the structure, floor, doors and utilities, then show the owner what must be added for the new use. Lighting, power, insulation and an accessible entry are common upgrades.

Can the building stay in use during work?

In many cases. We phase the work, build barriers, control dust and noise and schedule shutdowns at times the owner chooses.

How do you handle summer heat on site?

We start early, provide shade and water and adjust the day. Roofing and concrete are scheduled for cooler hours when possible.

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