Every commercial build-out has to work on two levels at once: it has to satisfy a landlord’s criteria and the permitting authority, and it has to actually function for the business that will operate inside it on day one. 188 CONSTRUCTION helps Houston business owners and property managers get commercial space ready to open — organizing the work around the intended use of the property, approved plans, trade requirements, business schedule and final inspection sign-off.
188 CONSTRUCTION is licensed and insured. Our project team is supported by an engineering professional with a master’s-level background, and appropriately licensed trade professionals are used whenever Texas law or the applicable permitting authority requires them.
Mr. Nguyen: 346-900-4000
Commercial Spaces We Build Out
We work across a range of commercial property types, each with its own code, occupancy and landlord requirements:
- Retail centers and standalone retail
- Offices and professional suites
- Restaurants and cafes
- Salons, spas and medical or dental offices
- Warehouses and light-industrial space
- Churches and religious facilities
- Multifamily common areas and amenity spaces
Services can include:
- Ground-up construction and building expansions
- Commercial remodeling and renovation
- Tenant improvements and complete build-outs
- Office, retail and restaurant construction
- Salon, spa and medical-office improvements
- Warehouse and industrial improvements
- MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) and specialty-trade coordination
- ADA-related improvements and project closeout
What Makes Commercial Different
Unlike a home project, commercial work in Greater Houston usually involves several layers of review — building, fire, accessibility, mechanical, plumbing and electrical — plus factors that don’t come up in residential construction at all: existing utility capacity, occupancy classification, landlord-provided criteria, and the actual condition of the shell space you’re taking over. Any of these can shift cost and schedule significantly, which is why we review the lease exhibits and landlord standards, along with the address and existing conditions, before pricing is finalized rather than after.
Why Business Owners Choose 188 CONSTRUCTION
- One primary point of contact from landlord coordination through final inspection
- Written scopes that reflect landlord criteria and approved plans, not generic assumptions
- Experience sequencing work around an operating business — phasing, noise control, limited access windows
- Licensed and insured operations, with licensed trades used where required
- Coordination of MEP and specialty trades alongside code and occupancy requirements
- Straightforward answers about what will affect your opening timeline
Mr. Nguyen: 346-900-4000
Our Process
- Consultation — We review your property, business goals, budget range, target opening date and any landlord requirements already on hand.
- Site Visit — Our team walks the space to assess existing conditions, utility access, measurements and visible constraints.
- Scope and Estimate — We organize the proposed work, assumptions, selections and pricing into a written scope tied to your plans and landlord criteria.
- Design and Permits — Drawings, registered professionals, permits and inspections are coordinated with the applicable authority.
- Construction — Work is sequenced with communication, trade coordination and quality checks — including around business hours when the space stays partially operational.
- Final Walkthrough — We review completed work, close out agreed items and confirm handoff ahead of your opening or inspection date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you work from landlord-provided criteria? Yes. Lease exhibits, landlord standards and approved plans should be reviewed before pricing and construction begin — this is often what determines allowed materials, hours and scope.
Can construction happen while a business stays open? Sometimes. It depends on the scope — phasing, noise, dust, access, safety and utility shutdowns all need to be planned around your operating hours, and we’ll tell you upfront if a phase realistically requires closing.
Do you coordinate trade inspections? Yes. Applicable inspections are coordinated with the licensed trade professional and the permitting authority as part of the project schedule.
What information is needed for an estimate? The property address, plans if available, intended use, landlord criteria, target finish level, desired timeline and photos of the existing condition all help us put together an accurate estimate.
How does a tenant improvement differ from a full build-out? A tenant improvement typically works within an existing shell and prior tenant’s finishes, while a full build-out starts from a bare shell space. The distinction affects both cost and how much of the space needs new MEP work — something we confirm during the site visit.
Mr. Nguyen: 346-900-4000
Service Area
188 CONSTRUCTION serves Houston and surrounding commercial corridors, including Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland, The Woodlands, Cypress, Spring and Missouri City, subject to project type, travel distance and scheduling. Share the property address when requesting an estimate so service availability and jurisdictional requirements can be confirmed.
Signed a lease and need the space built out to a landlord’s specific criteria? See our tenant build-out Houston services for the process from lease review to opening day.
Request an Estimate
Planning a commercial build-out, remodel or expansion in Greater Houston? Let 188 CONSTRUCTION help you organize the next step with a clear conversation about your property, landlord requirements and target opening date.
Discuss your project with Mr. Nguyen at 346-900-4000.
