What Will a Restaurant Remodel Entail?

Thinking about a restaurant remodel but have no idea where to begin? Lucky for you, we specialize in them. Robert Hakes Construction has helped tons of clients just like you bring their restaurant remodel visions to life. We’ll let you know what to expect so you can decide if it’s the right move for you.

A Solid Plan

The first step is to come up with a solid plan. Decide why you want to do a restaurant remodel in the first place. Is it because your restaurant feels dated and you want to upgrade to a more modern look? Or perhaps you’re interested in expanding the space and converting it to a more functional layout.Maybe you want to remodel but you’re uncertain where to focus your resources. If so, ask around. Talk to your staff and get their insight about what could help them perform better. Ask guests for feedback and check online reviews.

Try to gauge what customers like about the restaurant and what they want to see improved. You may also want to ask your regulars what keeps them coming back so you can make sure your new place has that same neighborhood appeal.

Personalized Execution

Once you have a plan in place, think about its execution. Are you planning to close your restaurant for a few weeks to complete the renovations? Or would you prefer to stay open during that time period?

If you don’t want to lose business while your restaurant is under construction, we can work with your schedule to get the work done overnight or on weekends. Our flexible work hours give you the option of keeping your doors open so you and your customers experience minimal disruption.

A Proposed Budget

Of course, when planning a restaurant remodel, you should think about your budget. Sit down and crunch the numbers. How much are you able to allocate toward the project?

If you’re on a strict budget, prioritize your goals. Think about the aspects of the project that are most important to you and what can wait. This will help you decide what to cut out of the project if you need to trim costs.

If you’re uncertain where to start when it comes to building a budget for your restaurant remodel project, you can work with your contractor to get an estimate for building supplies, cost of labor, and other factors you’ll need to consider. Once you get a detailed estimate, be sure to account for an additional 10 to 15 percent of the total cost of the project. This will give you some room to work with in case there are unforeseen expenses.

You should also decide if you’re going to pay out-of-pocket or if you’ll need to secure financing for the project cost. If you’re planning to apply for financing, talk to your lender to see how much financing you’re eligible to receive. Then you can work with your contractor to outline a project proposal based on your approved financing amount.

A Skilled Contractor

When doing any remodel project, you want to find a skilled contractor who is reliable, honest, and efficient. In this case, it’s best if the contractor has prior experience working on restaurant remodel projects. So do your research before settling on one.

If you know other people in the restaurant industry who have recently done a remodel, ask what contractor they used and if they were satisfied with the results. Check online reviews and consumer protection agencies, such as the Better Business Bureau, to learn more about a potential contractor’s history. Meet with the contractor in person and look at their work portfolio. Discuss your vision with them to make sure they understand your project goals.

You should also go over a project timeline with your contractor to make sure everyone is on the same page. Certain projects, for instance, may require permits, and it could take some time to acquire those permits before the project can commence. So in addition to outlining a budget with your contractor, be sure to discuss a proposed project completion date. And just as you did with your budget, allow for some additional time just in case there are any project delays.

You certainly don’t want to settle when it comes to the contractor you hire. So do your research, take your time, and thoroughly discuss your project budget, priorities, and timeline. This will help ensure you find the right contractor for the job.

Strong Communication

A restaurant remodel is a large undertaking that requires a lot of communication. Of course, you want to communicate your needs and priorities with your contractor. But you should also stay in constant communication with your employees and guests.

In the digital age, we’re guessing you have a restaurant social media page. If not, what are you waiting for? Social media is a great way to keep your customers updated on your remodel. If you’re planning to shut your doors for a few weeks, let them know that. They don’t want to plan a night out at your restaurant only to get there and realize you’re closed for the next several weeks. So keep them informed.

The same goes for your restaurant team. Communicate with them and let them know if they will be off from work for the next few weeks. The more advance notice you give them the better. That way they can make the most of their time off. Also, let them know if they can pick up extra shifts or catering events once the restaurant reopens.

Even if you’re planning to remain open during the restaurant remodel, you should still communicate with your guests and let them know what to expect. Explain that the restaurant may look a little different while the remodel is going on but that you’re still committed to providing the best quality experience possible.

Remember, once the restaurant remodel is done, capitalize on it. You’ve put in all this work and effort, it’s time for you to celebrate it. So take to your social media page and announce a grand re-opening. Get people excited to come back and see what the new restaurant has to offer.