There’s more to a restaurant build-out than picking kitchen equipment for your head chefs and cool dining booths for customers. Restaurant construction involves choosing a trusted restaurant build-out contractor, setting a budget, ensuring compliance and permits, prioritizing safety, and so much more.
If you’re in the process of starting a new dining establishment, opening a new location, or undertaking a comprehensive renovation, here’s what you need to know before construction gets underway:
Due Diligence is a Key Part of Getting Started
Not every building will make a suitable restaurant, no matter how much you like it or its location. Before signing a lease or hiring a restaurant construction company to start your build-out, thoroughly investigate the property to ensure its compatibility with your goals. These are just some of the areas to investigate with the help of your restaurant build-out contractor:
- Legal approval for restaurant use
- Permit and zoning approvals
- Electrical service support for commercial kitchen equipment
- Adequate gas capacity for commercial kitchen equipment
- Adequate plumbing capacity
- Sufficient ventilation and a suitable exhaust installation option
- Installation capacity for grease interceptors if needed
- Adequate hot water and water pressure
- HVAC capacity
- Structural limitations
- Confirmation of tenant or landlord responsibility for ensuring existing systems are up to code
You Should Have An Established Restaurant Concept First
Rather than having your restaurant’s operational needs following your construction plan, it should be the other way around! Make sure you have a comprehensive restaurant plan in place to discuss with a restaurant build-out contractor.
At a minimum, your plan should include:
- The type of cuisine you’re serving and the menu
- The number of seats you’ll have
- Your style of service
- The kitchen production requirements
- Takeout and delivery needs
- Bar requirements
- Storage needs
- Staffing levels
- Customer flow
- Cleaning and dishwashing procedures
As different eateries have different layouts and infrastructure requirements, determining the type of eatery you have, such as fine dining, a cafe, or a high-volume takeaway operation, is an important consideration before construction gets underway.
You Need a Realistic Budget
A restaurant build-out means you’re transforming a raw, empty, or previously used commercial space into a fully functional, compliant restaurant. This involves creating back-of-house and front-of-house areas, organizing specialized infrastructure, and adhering to specific codes, regulations, and requirements.
Given how comprehensive a restaurant build-out or remodel can be, your budget should reflect that. Beyond your chosen restaurant construction company’s quote, you should allow for:
- Construction, such as demolition, framing, drywall, flooring, ceilings, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, gas, fire protection, and painting
- Commercial kitchen construction elements, such as cooking and preparation equipment, dishwashing equipment, fridges, freezers, and grease management
- Front-of-house, including furniture, lighting, the bar, millwork, decor, and POS equipment
- Professional and administrative costs, including architect and designer, engineers, permits, inspections, consultants, and legal and lease costs
Don’t forget to create a contingency fund to ensure adequate coverage for unexpected expenses!
A Professional Team Helps a Project Go Smoothly
Multiple professionals are involved in creating a functional, well-established restaurant. If you want to be well-supported as you get your eatery up and running, don’t underestimate the importance of building a knowledgeable, experienced team. Some helpful individuals and businesses to have on your side include:
- Restaurant build-out contractor
- Architect
- Interior designer
- Mechanical engineer
- Electrician
- Plumber
- Kitchen designer
- Fire protection specialist
- Equipment suppliers
- Signage installers
- Permit consultants
Don’t wait until your project is underway before you create your team. Hire a trusted restaurant construction company and rely on their expertise and connections to build a cohesive team you can trust.
You Should Always Prioritize Kitchen Function
The kitchen is the heart of the restaurant. It’s how delicious meals are produced, resulting in happy customers. Therefore, it should be a functional, efficient space that promotes exceptional workflow.
Think about how movement in a kitchen should work between cooks, servers, dishwashers, and deliverers, so you can sketch out a commercial kitchen construction plan that will spell success.
Movement should flow in this order:
- Receiving
- Storage
- Preparation
- Cooking
- Plating
- Service
- Dishwashing
- Waste
Once you understand the order and flow of your new kitchen, you can plan a commercial kitchen that factors in:
- Refrigerated and dry storage
- Preparation surfaces
- Cooking line sequence
- A pass/plating area
- Dish return
- Handwashing stations
- Cleaning areas
- Waste removal
- Employee circulation
Don’t Forget
About Permits and Inspections
As overwhelming as the requirements for permits and inspections can be, ignorance is no excuse for failing to prioritize them. Fortunately, you don’t need to be an expert for your restaurant to comply. You simply need to hire restaurant build-out contractors who are experts.
They can handle all permit requirements for building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, fire, and other areas, as well as inspections, certificates, and approvals for peace of mind. You can then focus on getting your team ready to work in their new space!
Accessibility and Safety Come First
Even before you start planning kitchen appliances or booth colors, ensure you have a detailed plan in place for accessibility and safety. They should be considered very early in your restaurant design, and treating them as an afterthought can be costly in terms of construction changes and timeline delays.
Review accessibility requirements for:
- Accessible entrances
- Door clearances
- Restrooms
- Dining areas
- Service areas and counters
- Parking
You should also implement all requirements for emergencies and safety, including:
- Fire exits
- Emergency lighting
- Fire suppression
- Fire extinguishers
- Slip resistance
- Employee safety
Choose DRC Construction for Restaurant Build-Outs: Your Partner in Construction
If you’re getting ready to set up your new restaurant, it’s time to involve a team you can trust. DRC Construction in Dallas, Texas, is an expert in modern design, advanced technology, and project management to bring your eatery to life.
With over 200 projects nationwide and over 15 years in construction, we know what’s involved in a successful project. Contact DRC Construction for construction management, design-and-build, new construction, and remodels and finish-outs today.