Finally ready to turn that restaurant dream into a reality? Congratulations! Opening a new business is no easy task. But if you’ve come this far then clearly you’re on the right track with taking your dream to the next step, and with the right partners and planning in place, it won’t be long before your concept becomes your reality. We’re here to guide you on the construction aspect of the process for building a restaurant in Vancouver.
1. Lock in your concept
Make sure your business plan is rock solid and that your concept is clearly defined. Understand what it is exactly you are bringing to the market, and do the research to know who is already out there. The clearer your business plan and vision is at the outset, the easier it is to bring the right folks on board to help you execute it successfully.
2. Know your budget
As with any big planning project, it is pivotal to know what you’re working with from a financial perspective. Know your maximum and identify where you’d be most comfortable sitting. Having an understanding of the numbers, and being able to clearly communicate them, gives people guidelines on what they can work with and can avoid problems later down the road.
3. Find your space
Scout potential locations and find the best space that suits your budget, goals, and target market. If possible, get an experienced contractor to walk through the space with you before you sign any paperwork. You’ll want to identify any red-flags before you sign on the dotted line and are on the hook for upgrades or surprises. Talk to your new prospective landlord about a tenant improvement budget as well. When upgrading a space there are often allowances and costs that can be shared. Have more questions about this? Pacific Solutions Contracting offers Pre-Construction Services to help you start your new business on the right foot.
4. Get your team together
Now you’re ready to bring your team on board to get this vision off the ground. You’ll need the following professionals:
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- Interior Designer
- Architect
- Engineers
- Plumbers
- Electricians
- Construction crew
- Audio/Visual
- Kitchen equipment suppliers
- Vendors and suppliers
Do your due diligence when evaluating your team, and see if there are opportunities to use a group of professionals who have experience working together as this can be an advantage right out of the gate. Make sure you’re recording the quotes against your budget and stay up to date with everyone’s invoices and/or extra charges. Understand the timelines required for each party and put together your proposed schedule, communicating that out to everyone so they can plan accordingly in their schedules.
5. Go in for permit
Most municipal governments require a building permit before any work commences in a space. You will work with your architect to finalize your plans and these will need to be submitted for review before your permit is issued. Allow for plenty of time for this process. It can be a matter of months before a permit is issued, so factor this into all of your planning from day one.
6. Start construction
With your permit in-hand (and on-site) you’re ready to get started on construction! Be available to answer questions, make decisions, and work with your team in order to keep things progressing smoothly. Additionally, be sure to track your costs as you go. This will help you understand where your costs are coming in against your budget, and help you avoid surprises later on.
7. Business planning
While construction is on-going you’ll also need to plan for your new business, including:
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- Branding and marketing
- Hiring and training
- Menu and food preparation
- Operations + logistics
- Purchasing
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Don’t let this fall to the back-burner while you’re working on construction. You’ll likely want to open as soon as possible following your inspections.
8. Call for inspection
Before you open a new commercial space you’ll need to pass all of the necessary city inspections. Plan accordingly so this doesn’t hold you up.
9. Good luck!
If all of this sounds overwhelming, you’re not alone. This is where hiring a General Contractor & Construction Management company comes into play. Hiring an experienced General Contractor will help make sure you can keep your schedule and budget in-tact while getting your business off the ground in the best way possible to set you up for long-term success.
Give us a call today to discuss your project and to see if hiring a General Contractor is the right fit for your business.