Developing space for a new Salon

[Shawn Elrod]

I’m a multi family investor that recently found an opportunity to buy an 11 unit office park. One of the buildings has a separate entrance basement with steps right off of the parking lot that isn’t finished. It has access to plumbing and electric and shouldn’t be too hard to finish the space.

Naturally I want to put this space to work. So I found a hair stylist that wants to open her own salon and is excited to rent my space. I had her pay a deposit and now I have to complete some framing, plumbing, electric and drywall before turning it over to her to build out her salon. Im new to commercial space and she is new at starting a salon.

Neither of us know how deep the state board for salons will dig into the space during their inspections. Do they need to be a part of my portion of the build? Or do they do their inspections once it’s closed in? Or once she’s done with installation of the salon fixtures? Or do they need to be involved for all of the above? Will they check the permits that may or may not get pulled? Does there need to be an egress window since it’s a basement? Which one of us needs to seek a certificate of occupancy?

I am concerned that with us both being rookies we will fumble through a lot of this.