https://modernnw.com/blog/ Plain-English guides on commercial construction, tenant improvements, and build-out costs across the Pacific Northwest. en-us Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://modernnw.com/blog/ada-parking-requirements/ https://modernnw.com/blog/ada-parking-requirements/ Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT A 25 space lot needs 1 accessible space, 50 needs 2, 100 needs 4, and one in every six has to be van accessible. The full count table, plus the Oregon sizing rules that run bigger than the federal minimum. https://modernnw.com/blog/what-are-tenant-improvements/ https://modernnw.com/blog/what-are-tenant-improvements/ Mon, 10 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Tenant improvements are the permanent construction changes that turn a leased shell into a space you can open in. What counts, who pays for what, how the process runs, and how long it takes, from a Portland commercial contractor. https://modernnw.com/blog/commercial-construction-timeline/ https://modernnw.com/blog/commercial-construction-timeline/ Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT A typical office TI runs 4 to 6 months from lease to opening day, and ground-up runs 8 to 24 months. Real Portland permit review times and where the calendar actually goes. https://modernnw.com/blog/commercial-bathroom-requirements/ https://modernnw.com/blog/commercial-bathroom-requirements/ Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT One toilet per 25 occupants for offices, 1 per 500 for retail, 1 per 75 for restaurants, and when a single restroom is enough. The real Oregon code numbers, from a Portland commercial contractor. https://modernnw.com/blog/who-is-responsible-for-pulling-permits/ https://modernnw.com/blog/who-is-responsible-for-pulling-permits/ Thu, 23 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT Who pulls the building permit on a commercial project, the contractor or the owner? How it actually works in Portland, Multnomah County, Washington County, and Vancouver, WA. https://modernnw.com/blog/restaurant-construction/ https://modernnw.com/blog/restaurant-construction/ Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT Real restaurant build-out cost ranges, NFPA 96 kitchen ventilation and fire code, grease trap sizing, and health code handwashing rules, from a Portland restaurant construction company. https://modernnw.com/blog/veterinary-clinic-design/ https://modernnw.com/blog/veterinary-clinic-design/ Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT Veterinarian's office design and vet reception design: exam room and surgical suite sizing, ADA requirements, kennel noise levels, and real construction costs, from a Portland commercial contractor. https://modernnw.com/blog/retail-space-design/ https://modernnw.com/blog/retail-space-design/ Fri, 17 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT What a retail build-out covers, plus ADA aisle widths, sales-floor lighting standards, loss-prevention sightlines, and backroom ratio, from a Portland retail construction company. https://modernnw.com/blog/office-space-planning/ https://modernnw.com/blog/office-space-planning/ Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT Square feet per employee, private office sizing by role, conference room capacity, and ADA clearances, the real numbers behind office space planning, from a Portland commercial contractor. https://modernnw.com/blog/dental-medical-office-design/ https://modernnw.com/blog/dental-medical-office-design/ Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT How much space an operatory needs, the four zones around the chair, ADA clearances, sterilization flow, imaging rooms and HVAC, from a Portland commercial contractor who builds these spaces. https://modernnw.com/blog/dental-office-build-out-cost/ https://modernnw.com/blog/dental-office-build-out-cost/ Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT A dental office build-out runs about $80 to $200 per square foot for construction, and $300 to $500 with equipment. Real 2026 ranges, what drives the price, and how to budget. https://modernnw.com/blog/tenant-improvement-allowance/ https://modernnw.com/blog/tenant-improvement-allowance/ Fri, 19 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT What a TI allowance is, typical per-square-foot ranges, what it covers, and how to negotiate more, explained by a Portland commercial contractor.