Renovating a Food & Bev Retail Store: Top Pitfalls to Avoid

Renovating a Food & Bev Retail Store: Top Pitfalls to Avoid

Renovating a food and bev business has some unique challenges to keep an eye out for. Here are some of the ones we often see, as commercial contractors.

As a business owner in the food and beverage industry, you know that a retail renovation can breathe new life into your store, attract more customers, and increase revenue. But without proper planning and execution, it can also quickly become a costly and frustrating experience. In this article, we’ll discuss the top pitfalls to avoid when renovating a food and beverage retail store.

Not having a clear vision of what you want

Before you even start renovating, you need to have a clear vision of what you want your store to look like. This includes everything from the layout to the color scheme. If you don’t have a clear vision, you risk making decisions on the fly, which can lead to costly mistakes and delays.

Signing a lease without negotiating the build-out terms

When signing a lease for a retail space, it’s essential to negotiate the build-out terms before you sign. You want to make sure you have the flexibility to make changes to the space to fit your needs. If you don’t negotiate these terms, you may be stuck with a space that doesn’t meet your needs, which can impact your business’s success.

Hiring an architect without Food and Beverage experience

When renovating a food and beverage retail store, it’s important to work with an architect who has experience in the industry. An architect with solid food and bev experience understands the unique requirements of your business, including proper ventilation, drainage, and waste disposal, and can design a space that meets these needs.

Unrealistic/unreasonable budgets

Renovating a retail store can be expensive, and it’s important to have a realistic budget. Work with your contractor to ensure that everything has been scoped out appropriately and that you’re not underestimating the costs of the renovation. This will help you avoid costly surprises down the road.

Improper sequence of tasks

Renovating a retail store requires a lot of planning and coordination. It’s essential to ensure that the project is carried out in the proper sequence of tasks. This includes everything from demolition and removal of old fixtures and equipment to installing new equipment, flooring, and lighting. A good contractor can help you plan the renovation and ensure that all tasks are carried out in the right order.

Not planning for all possible contingencies

Renovating a food and beverage retail store involves a lot of moving parts. Unexpected issues can arise during the project that can cause delays or additional costs. It’s crucial to plan for all possible contingencies in advance, so you can avoid any surprises that could impact your project’s timeline or budget. A good contractor will help you identify potential issues and develop a plan to address them if they arise.

Not securing all required construction permits

Before beginning any renovation work, it’s important to obtain all required construction permits. Failure to obtain the necessary permits can lead to costly fines and delays in completing the project. A good contractor will help you navigate the permitting process and ensure that all necessary permits are obtained before work begins.

If you’re planning on renovating a food and bev retail store, the most critical part of avoiding these kinds of pitfalls is partnering with a contractor with the right knowledge and experience. If you’re planning to renovate your retail store soon, our experts can help advise you on how to make the most of your restaurant footprint. We effectively manage projects from permits to drawings to construction.

Contact us if you need someone in your corner. We would be happy to provide our expert assistance and advice.

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