Your Community Is Growing. Your Space Should Too.
We build the spaces where Calgary's new businesses come alive. Calgary added 173,000 new residents last year. New neighbourhoods are filling up. Families need grocery stores, restaurants, clinics, and services. And entrepreneurs like you are stepping up to build them. We turn empty commercial shells into the businesses your community has been waiting for.
Every Week Your Space Sits Empty, You're Paying for Nothing.
Every Business Starts with a Space. We Build Yours Right.
The Community That’s Been Waiting for Her Store
She moved to Calgary from Lagos four years ago. She knows exactly what her community needs, the spices, the yam flour, the palm oil, the suya seasoning that families are currently driving 30 minutes across the city to find. She signed a lease in a new NE plaza. Now she’s standing in a concrete shell with no walls, no cooler, no shelving, and no idea where to start. This is the story nobody in commercial construction is telling, because most contractors don’t see the community behind the build. But that community is already there, already waiting, already asking ‘when is this store opening?’ Every week of delay is a week those families keep driving past her dark storefront.
The Chef Who Didn’t Know About Grease Traps
His jollof rice already has a following from weekend catering gigs. He found a space on a busy strip, signed the lease, and hired a general contractor who ‘does renovations.’ Three weeks in, he discovers the space needs a grease trap, a Type 1 hood, an Ansul fire suppression system, and a complete gas line installation. The contractor has never done one. The project stalls. Rent keeps coming. Restaurant build-outs are the most complex commercial projects in the industry. A contractor who hasn’t done them before will cost you time, money, and possibly your health inspection. You need someone who knows the difference between a Type 1 and Type 2 hood before the first wall goes up.
The Dentist Opening Her First Practice
She spent eight years in school and another four working as an associate. Now she’s ready to open her own practice in one of Calgary’s newest communities, where 28,000 new homes were granted occupancy last year alone. But dental clinic construction isn’t a regular build. She needs compressed air lines, vacuum systems, lead-lined X-ray walls, operatory-specific plumbing, and a layout that passes Alberta Health Services inspection. A dental build-out at $300-$500 per square foot is one of the largest investments a new practitioner will ever make. The wrong contractor doesn’t just waste money, they delay your first patients, compromise your inspection, and create problems you’ll be fixing for years.
Every Business Starts with a Space. We Build Yours Right.
Calgary's African community has grown to one of the largest immigrant groups in the city. New communities need stores, restaurants, clinics, and services.
International & African Grocery
Calgary’s African community has grown to one of the largest immigrant groups in the city. New communities in the NE, SE, and beyond need stores where families can find the ingredients, products, and brands from home. We build grocery spaces that work, from cold storage to display flow. Walk-in cooler and freezer infrastructure, heavy-duty electrical for refrigeration, commercial-grade flooring, POS counter and checkout layout, ADA-compliant aisles and entrance.
Restaurants & Food Service
You’ve perfected your recipes. You’ve built a following from catering or pop-ups. Now you need a real kitchen, with grease traps, Type 1 hoods, fire suppression, and a dining room that matches the food. Restaurant build-outs have the most hidden requirements of any commercial space. Type 1 & Type 2 commercial exhaust hoods, grease trap installation and plumbing, Ansul fire suppression, gas line installation for commercial cooking.
Dental Clinics
Opening your own practice is a milestone. But dental clinic construction is a specialized build, compressed air lines, vacuum systems, X-ray shielding, sterilization rooms, and operatory plumbing all need to be right the first time. We build dental spaces that pass inspection and run efficiently from day one. Operatory plumbing (wet and dry lines), compressed air and vacuum system rough-in, lead-lined X-ray room walls.
Medical & Wellness Clinics
Physiotherapy, chiropractic, walk-in clinics, and specialist offices all require specific layouts, barrier-free access, and health code compliance. New Calgary communities are underserved, families are driving 20+ minutes for basic medical care. Your clinic solves that problem. Examination and treatment room build-out, barrier-free accessible design, medical-grade HVAC and ventilation, privacy-compliant reception and waiting areas.
Retail & Showrooms
Whether you’re opening a clothing boutique, electronics store, beauty supply, or specialty shop, your retail space needs to do one thing above all else: convert foot traffic into sales. Layout, lighting, and flow aren’t afterthoughts, they’re the foundation of your business. Strategic display and merchandising layout, feature lighting and accent systems, dressing rooms, POS and security infrastructure.
Professional Offices
Accounting firms, law offices, real estate agencies, insurance brokers, professional services need spaces that project credibility and function efficiently. Open concepts, private offices, boardrooms, and server rooms all require thoughtful planning. Server room with dedicated cooling, acoustic insulation for privacy, data cabling and network infrastructure.
What Actually Goes Into a Commercial Build-Out.
A commercial space isn't a home renovation with bigger square footage. It's a different category of construction with its own codes, systems, and inspection requirements. Here's what your build actually involves.
Space Planning & Design
Before a single wall goes up. Your layout determines everything, customer flow, employee efficiency, code compliance, and revenue potential. We plan your space around how your business actually operates, not the other way around.
Framing & Demising Walls
Steel stud & drywall construction. Commercial framing uses steel studs, not wood. Demising walls between units require specific fire ratings. Partition walls define your rooms, hallways, and private spaces.
Electrical & Data
200A+ panels, dedicated circuits. Commercial spaces need significantly more electrical capacity than residential. Dedicated circuits for equipment, proper panel sizing, data cabling, and code-compliant emergency lighting are all baseline requirements.
Plumbing & Mechanical
Industry-specific rough-in. Restaurants need grease traps. Dental clinics need vacuum lines. Medical offices need specialized waste plumbing. Every industry has unique mechanical requirements that must be roughed in before walls close up.
HVAC & Ventilation
Commercial-grade climate control. Commercial HVAC isn’t residential HVAC. Your space needs proper air exchange rates, exhaust systems, make-up air units, and in many cases, dedicated ventilation for kitchens, labs, or treatment rooms.
Permits & Inspections
City of Calgary compliance. Commercial projects require development permits, building permits, trade-specific inspections, and occupancy certificates. We manage the entire process, because a failed inspection doesn’t just delay your project, it can shut it down.
The Questions You're Not Sure Who to Ask.
If this is your first commercial build, everything feels uncertain. That's normal. Here are the concerns we hear from business owners every week. And the honest answers they deserve.
"My landlord gave me a TI allowance. That should cover the build, right?"
Almost never. A typical TI (Tenant Improvement) allowance in Calgary runs $20-$50 per square foot for retail and $50-$100 for medical. A full restaurant build-out can cost $150-$500+ per square foot. The gap between what your landlord provides and what the build actually costs is often significant. We help you understand that gap before you sign anything, so there are no surprises.
"I've never done a commercial build before. I don't even know what questions to ask."
That’s exactly why our process starts with a Qualification Call, not a sales pitch. We walk you through what your specific business type requires, what the City of Calgary will need from you, what your timeline looks like, and what realistic budgets look like for your industry. You don’t need to be a construction expert. You just need a contractor who is.
"The permit process sounds impossible. What if my project gets rejected?"
Calgary’s commercial permit process is thorough, but it’s not impossible, if you know what you’re doing. We’ve navigated development permits, building permits, trade inspections, and occupancy certificates across dozens of commercial projects. We handle every permit application, every inspection call, every revision. If the City asks for changes, we deal with it, you focus on your business.
"What if the project goes over budget and I can't afford to finish?"
This is the most common fear we hear, and the most valid one. Over a third of commercial build-outs exceed their original budget. The reason? Vague estimates, scope creep, and contractors who say ‘we’ll figure it out as we go.’ We use Fixed-Price Agreements. Your price is locked before construction begins. No surprises. No change orders. No ‘well, we didn’t expect that.’ If we missed something in our scope, that’s on us, not you.
What Makes This Different from Every Other Quote You'll Get.
Most TI contractors will give you a number. We give you a plan, a locked price, and a partner who understands that your business can't wait.
Fixed-Price Agreements
Your price is locked before the first stud goes up. Not an estimate. Not a ‘rough range.’ A fixed, written price that doesn’t change, period.
Industry-Specific Expertise
Restaurants, dental clinics, grocery stores, and medical offices each have entirely different construction requirements. We’ve built them. We know what passes inspection and what doesn’t.
Full Permit Management
We handle every permit application, every trade inspection, every City of Calgary requirement. You get updates. We get the approvals.
Owner-Operated
You deal with OAF directly, from Qualification Call through final walkthrough. No project managers playing telephone. No handoffs. One team accountable for your build.
Best of HomeStars 2024 & 2025
4.9★ HomeStars. 200+ Calgary projects. Back-to-back Best of HomeStars awards. The kind of track record that exists because we deliver what we promise.
We Speak Your Language
Not just literally, though that helps. We understand what it means to build a business in a new country, in a new city, from scratch. Because we’ve done it ourselves.
Realistic Numbers for Real Business Owners.
Commercial build-out costs vary significantly by industry. Here's what the market actually looks like. So you can plan with real numbers, not guesses.
Storefronts, Showrooms & Professional Spaces
Starting at $50/sq ftThe most common TI project type. Includes partition walls, flooring, lighting, basic electrical, and HVAC distribution for retail or office use.
- Demising and partition walls
- Commercial flooring (LVP, tile, or carpet)
- Lighting layout and installation
- Electrical outlets and data drops
- HVAC distribution to new spaces
- Paint, trim, and finishing
- Storefront and signage prep
International Grocery, Convenience & Specialty Stores
Starting at $75/sq ftGrocery stores require heavy-duty electrical for refrigeration, walk-in cooler infrastructure, and layouts optimized for product display and foot traffic.
- Walk-in cooler and freezer rough-in
- Heavy-duty electrical for refrigeration
- Commercial-grade floor drains
- Display shelving infrastructure
- Checkout counter and POS layout
- Storage and receiving area build-out
- ADA-compliant aisle spacing
Full-Service Kitchens, Cafes & Quick-Service
Starting at $150/sq ftThe most complex commercial build-out. Requires specialized mechanical, fire suppression, health code compliance, and commercial kitchen infrastructure.
- Type 1 & Type 2 exhaust hoods
- Ansul fire suppression system
- Grease trap installation
- Commercial gas line rough-in
- Walk-in cooler and freezer
- Health department-compliant kitchen
- Dining room build-out and finishes
- Washroom construction
Clinics, Practices & Healthcare Facilities
Starting at $200/sq ftHealthcare construction requires specialized infrastructure. Compressed air, vacuum systems, lead shielding, and layouts that pass Alberta Health Services inspection.
- Operatory and treatment room build-out
- Compressed air and vacuum rough-in
- Lead-lined X-ray room walls
- Sterilization room construction
- Medical-grade HVAC and ventilation
- Barrier-free accessible design
- AHS inspection compliance
- Reception and waiting area
All pricing represents industry-standard ranges in Calgary and varies based on space size, condition of existing shell, and project-specific requirements. All O.A.F projects include Fixed-Price Agreements. Your exact price is locked before construction begins.
Highly professional and flexible. Delivered exactly what was promised and kept us informed throughout the entire process.
Reliable and time efficient. The quality of work was top notch and Ayo was very responsive throughout the project.
The owner Ayo keeps his word. Professional, on time, and the final result exceeded our expectations. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a reliable contractor.
Our Process
Consultation
Free on-site visit. We walk the space, understand your vision, and assess the scope. No obligation.
No pressure. No cost. Get a Free Quote →Fixed-Price Proposal
You receive a detailed, itemized proposal with a fixed price. What we quote is what you pay.
No surprise costs. Ever.Permits & Build
We handle all City of Calgary permits, inspections, and construction. You get weekly progress updates.
Fully permitted. Fully insured.Handover
Final walkthrough, punch list completion, and handover with all warranty documentation and permits.
Built beyond code.Commercial Construction Across Calgary
We work in every Calgary business district and commercial zone. From downtown office towers to suburban strip malls.
Downtown & Beltline
Downtown Core, Beltline, East Village, Eau Claire, Chinatown, Victoria Park
Northwest Commercial
Kensington, University District, Crowfoot, Market Mall Area, Northland, Dalhousie Station
Southwest Commercial
Marda Loop, 17th Avenue, Macleod Trail South, Chinook Area, Signal Hill, Westhills
Southeast Commercial
Deerfoot Meadows, McKenzie Towne, 130th Avenue SE, Seton, South Trail Crossing
Northeast Commercial
Sunridge, Marlborough, Barlow Trail, Country Hills, Saddletowne, 32nd Avenue NE
Industrial Zones
Foothills Industrial, Alyth/Bonnybrook, Ogden, Manchester, Highfield, Meridian
The Questions You're Not Sure Who to Ask.
Almost never. A typical TI (Tenant Improvement) allowance in Calgary runs $20-$50 per square foot for retail and $50-$100 for medical. A full restaurant build-out can cost $150-$500+ per square foot. The gap between what your landlord provides and what the build actually costs is often significant. We help you understand that gap before you sign anything, so there are no surprises.
That’s exactly why our process starts with a Qualification Call, not a sales pitch. We walk you through what your specific business type requires, what the City of Calgary will need from you, what your timeline looks like, and what realistic budgets look like for your industry. You don’t need to be a construction expert. You just need a contractor who is.
Calgary’s commercial permit process is thorough, but it’s not impossible, if you know what you’re doing. We’ve navigated development permits, building permits, trade inspections, and occupancy certificates across dozens of commercial projects. We handle every permit application, every inspection call, every revision. If the City asks for changes, we deal with it, you focus on your business.
This is the most common fear we hear, and the most valid one. Over a third of commercial build-outs exceed their original budget. The reason? Vague estimates, scope creep, and contractors who say ‘we’ll figure it out as we go.’ We use Fixed-Price Agreements. Your price is locked before construction begins. No surprises. No change orders. No ‘well, we didn’t expect that.’ If we missed something in our scope, that’s on us, not you.
Resources & Portfolio
Learn more and see real projects.
Your Community Is Already Waiting. Let's Build Your Space.
We work with business owners who are serious about opening. Not someday, but soon. Entrepreneurs who have a lease (or are about to sign one), a vision for their space, and the understanding that quality construction is an investment in their business. If that sounds like you, let's talk.
Get a Free Quote- You have a signed lease or LOI
- You know your business type
- You want a clear, fixed price
- You’re ready to start within 3 months