Choosing a contractor for your restaurant should be a well researched and extensive process. Why you might ask? There are a lot of details that go into ensuring you choose the right contractor for your needs, and of course – you want to be sure that you don’t end up costing yourself more money in the long run. It is critical to ensure that your contractor is the appropriate hire for your specific project.
We sat down with Mike McKenney of K-Mac Electric, to discuss the reasons, and best ways to look for a contractor for your restaurant build out. Check out the interview video or read what we learned below.
Why You Need a Contractor
Trying to take on the responsibilities that a commercial contractor is skilled at can cost you a lot of time and money. A contractor alleviates your workload by overseeing the following aspects:
Design & blueprint
Permitting
Supply purchases
Code adherence
Zoning compliance
Getting blueprints drawn and qualifying for permits can take a considerable amount of time, so starting the process of choosing your contractor should happen early in your restaurant planning process to allow for unexpected occurrences.
Find out your Needs vs. Your Wants
Identify your main business goals so that you can decipher between needs and wants. Have you simply outgrown your current space and looking to add on additional space? Has your company expanded and you are looking to launch a second location? Or are you having a space built out from start to finish? Whatever your end goal, functionality should be priority.
Make a list of your wants and needs so that your construction team can have a clear idea of priorities and preferences. Starting with a detailed list is always much easier than having to find time, space, and determining budget later in the process.
Finding a Contractor
Your list of contractors can come from referrals, your own research, or a combination of both. Regardless of how you obtain your contacts, you will want to compare your options to find the best contractor for your budget, needs, and wants. You also want to ensure that your contractor is licensed and insured.
Finding a good contractor can be challenging, however there are resources available to make the process easier for you such as:
Trade Groups
Commercial Contractor directories
Word-of-mouth
After you have established who will take on your project, you will want to verify references, prepare the proper forms, and enjoy the exciting process of building out your new space!
