Powering a Build-Out in Fort Myers: From Permit to Inspection

If you’re opening a new business or getting ready to remodel a commercial space here in Fort Myers, one of the biggest things to get right from the start is the electrical work. You can have the best layout in the world, but if your wiring, lighting, and power systems aren’t designed right, nothing else is going to run the way it should.

We’ve helped a lot of local business owners through this process — restaurants, offices, shops, you name it — and it’s always the same story: the electrical part can make or break a project. It touches everything from the AC to the computers.

Here’s how we handle it step-by-step, from the first drawing to the final inspection.

Step 1: Planning & Design

Every good project starts on paper.

Before we ever pull a wire, we figure out exactly what your space needs. Commercial buildings in Fort Myers use way more power than homes, and every business is a little different. A coffee shop’s needs aren’t the same as an insurance office or a retail store.

During planning, we:

• Look at what kind of electrical load the business will have — lighting, HVAC, registers, kitchen gear, computers, all of it.

• Check the existing panel and service size.

• Design new circuits and layouts to make sure power is balanced and efficient.

• Coordinate with your general contractor and architect to keep everyone on the same page.

Doing this upfront saves a lot of time and money later. It’s what keeps the project smooth instead of stopping halfway because something got missed.

Step 2: Getting the Right Permits

This is the part most business owners hate — paperwork. In Fort Myers (and most of Lee County), any commercial electrical work needs a permit.

That’s not red tape for the sake of it. Permits make sure your wiring meets the National Electrical Code and local building standards. It protects you, your employees, and anyone who walks in the door.

As licensed contractors, we take care of all that. We fill out and file everything, coordinate with inspectors, and make sure it’s all in the system before we start pulling wire.

Homeowner guide to codes and costs in our Panel Upgrade Permits.

Step 3: The Rough-In Phase

Once the permit’s approved, we get to work.

This is when we run conduit, pull wire, and set up junction boxes before the walls get closed up. We’ll also run circuits for lighting, outlets, HVAC, data, and anything else your business needs.

If it’s a restaurant or medical space, we’ll also handle the dedicated circuits for specific equipment.

This is the “bones” of the electrical system — it’s what you don’t see once the drywall goes up, but it’s what keeps the whole place running safely.

Real install answers from a Florida master in our Install FAQ.

Step 4: Rough-In Inspection

After we’ve got everything roughed in, the city or county inspector comes out to take a look.

They’ll check grounding, conduit, connections, and make sure every part meets code. Once it passes, we get the green light to close up walls, hang fixtures, and start making the space look like something real.

If the inspector spots anything that needs tweaking — which happens occasionally — we fix it right away. The goal is to keep your project moving, not waiting.

Step 5: Trim-Out and Final Connections

This is the part everyone likes.

Once the walls are painted and floors are down, we come back and install all the visible parts — outlets, switches, light fixtures, panel covers, exit signs, and so on. We connect your equipment, test each circuit, and make sure everything’s running clean and steady.

This is when the building starts feeling like your business — lights click on, AC kicks in, and it’s no longer just a construction site.

Step 6: The Final Inspection

The last stop before you open your doors is the final inspection. The inspector checks every part of the system again — proper circuit labeling, GFCI and AFCI protection, emergency lights, exit signs, and anything tied to code or safety.

Once they sign off, you’re officially ready for occupancy. That means power’s stable, everything’s safe, and you can start moving in equipment or stocking shelves.

Permits and inspections are just the start—running a Fort Myers rental means ongoing needs.
Get answers for property owners in our Commercial Services FAQ.

Why Work with Coharbor Electric

We’ve done build-outs all across Fort Myers — from small storefronts downtown to full retail and office spaces near Daniels Parkway. We know the permitting process, we know the inspectors, and we know what it takes to get your project passed without headaches.

Here’s what makes a difference:

• Local know-how. We handle the city and county paperwork for you.

• Full-service work. Design, permits, inspections — we manage the whole process.

• Experience. Offices, restaurants, shops — we’ve wired them all.

• On time. We know deadlines matter when you’re trying to open.

Know what to look for in your next pro with our Hiring a Commercial Electrician guide.

Getting Your Build-Out Powered Up Right

There’s a lot that goes into a commercial electrical project — and if one piece is off, it can slow everything else down.

Whether you’re moving into a new space or giving your old one a facelift, you need electrical work that’s done safely, cleanly, and up to code.

At Coharbor Electric, that’s what we do.

Give us a call today, and we’ll walk through your plans, check your current setup, and help you power your build-out the right way — from permit to inspection and every step in between.