Call Integrity CRR at (833) 423-6255. Integrity CRR is a service-disabled veteran-owned commercial general contractor licensed in Georgia (GC license #GCCO009212) and Florida (CGC1539499), based in Atlanta, GA, and built for retail tenant build-outs and commercial improvements across metro Atlanta. If you’re searching for a general contractor for a retail tenant build-out in metro Atlanta, here’s what that GC needs to bring to the table, and what a build-out runs before you sign anything.
Who Do You Call for a Retail Tenant Build-Out in Metro Atlanta?
Integrity CRR is a service-disabled veteran-owned commercial general contractor (SDVOSB), registered in SAM.gov and bonded, holding Georgia GC license #GCCO009212 and Florida Certified GC license #CGC1539499, with an office at 4720 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30338. On a retail build-out, Integrity CRR acts as the general contractor: it holds the contract, pulls the permits, and manages vetted subcontractors on framing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, flooring, and finish work. A principal from Integrity CRR is on every job, and the subcontractors on the crew are firms with a track record on prior Integrity projects, not the low bid pulled off a list that week. See past work at our projects page and background on the company at about us.
What a Retail Tenant Build-Out Actually Involves
A build-out turns a vacant shell or a previous tenant’s space into a finished, permitted store. The scope usually includes:
- Demo of the prior tenant’s improvements
- Framing and wall layout to the new floor plan
- Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC rework or extension to code
- Storefront, signage backing, and ADA-compliant restrooms
- Flooring, ceiling grid, paint, and fixture installation
- Rooftop equipment tie-ins where the space needs new HVAC curbs or roof penetrations
- Final inspections and the certificate of occupancy
When a build-out needs new rooftop HVAC units or roof penetrations for venting or exhaust, that’s roofing work, and Integrity CRR self-performs it with its own crews rather than subcontracting it out. GAF-certified, Mule-Hide-certified, Haag-certified roof inspectors on staff write that roof scope in-house. More on that at commercial roofing and commercial services.
What a Retail Build-Out Costs in Metro Atlanta
These are general Southeast commercial construction market ranges, not a quote for any specific project — a walk-through and a written estimate is the only way to price your space.
| Finish Level | Typical Range ($/sq ft) | What Drives It |
|---|---|---|
| Light touch-up on an existing shell | $40–$70 | Minimal wall changes, existing MEP reused as-is |
| Standard retail build-out | $70–$120 | New storefront, partial MEP rework, code-required upgrades |
| High-end or restaurant-grade | $120–$200+ | Full MEP replacement, kitchen equipment, grease trap, heavier permitting |
A space that’s already close to code, with MEP that doesn’t need to move, lands at the bottom of the range. A gutted shell needing new electrical service, new HVAC, and a commercial kitchen lands at the top.
What to Check Before You Hire a GC for the Build-Out
- Active GC license in the state where the space sits (Georgia, Florida, or both)
- Proof of bonding and current insurance
- A principal who’s actually on site, not just a salesperson who hands you off after signing
- References from subcontractors and owners on prior jobs, not just a photo gallery
- Experience pulling permits in your specific municipality — Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, and Marietta all run permitting a little differently
- Whether roofing and rooftop equipment work is self-performed or subbed out to whoever’s available that month
How Long Does a Retail Build-Out Take?
A standard retail build-out in metro Atlanta typically runs 6 to 14 weeks from permit issuance to certificate of occupancy, depending on scope and how fast the local building department turns around plan review. Permitting timelines vary by jurisdiction, so a build-out that’s 8 weeks in one city can run longer in another purely because of review queue length, not construction pace. Long-lead items — storefront glazing, custom millwork, specialty kitchen equipment — are usually what pushes a schedule past that range, not the labor itself.
Why Owners Call Integrity CRR for This Work
Integrity CRR is a general contractor on every trade in a retail build-out except roofing, where the company self-performs with its own crews and writes roofing estimates in-house rather than farming them out. That split matters: on the trades it subs out, Integrity CRR is managing and standing behind vetted firms with a track record on its projects; on roofing, there’s no middleman between the estimate and the work. The company is service-disabled veteran-owned, SAM.gov registered, and bonded, with active GC licenses in Georgia (#GCCO009212) and Florida (#CGC1539499).
If you need a general contractor for a retail tenant build-out in metro Atlanta, call Integrity CRR at (833) 423-6255 or request an estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a retail tenant build-out take in metro Atlanta?
Most standard retail build-outs run 6 to 14 weeks from permit issuance to certificate of occupancy. The biggest variable is usually the local building department’s plan review timeline, which differs by city, followed by long-lead items like storefront glazing or specialty equipment.
Do I need a permit for a retail build-out in Georgia?
Yes. Any work involving framing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or life-safety systems requires permits from the local building department. A general contractor should pull these permits as part of the job, not leave it to the tenant to sort out.
What’s the difference between a general contractor and a construction manager for a build-out?
A general contractor holds the construction contract, carries the license, and is directly responsible for the finished work and the subcontractors on it. A construction manager typically advises or coordinates on the owner’s behalf without holding that direct contractual responsibility. For most single-space retail build-outs, owners hire a GC directly.
Does Integrity CRR handle rooftop HVAC tie-ins and roof penetrations during a build-out?
Yes. Integrity CRR self-performs roofing work with its own crews, including rooftop HVAC curb installation and roof penetrations for venting or exhaust, rather than subcontracting that portion out. GAF-certified, Mule-Hide-certified, Haag-certified roof inspectors on staff write the roof scope in-house.