The Seven Biggest Mistakes Restaurant Owners Make When Remodeling
- Amine El-khoury
- Dec 1, 2021
- 3 min read
Whether you’re looking to attract new customers or keep your regulars coming back, remodeling your restaurant is a great way to show that you’re keeping up with the times. But as with anything, there’s a right way and a wrong way to go about it. In this blog post, we’ll be discussing the 5 biggest mistakes restaurant owners make when remodeling, so you can avoid them and end up with the restaurant of your dreams.

1. Not Defining the Scope of the Project
One of the most common mistakes restaurant owners make when remodeling is not clearly defining the scope of the project from the outset. Without a clear understanding of what you want to accomplish, it's easy to get caught up in the details and lose sight of the big picture. Make sure you have a clear idea of your goals for the remodel before you start making any decisions.
2. Not Planning Ahead
The first—and possibly most important—mistake that restaurateurs make when remodeling is not planning ahead. A common mistake is not taking into account the necessary permits needed for construction or underestimating the amount of time and money required for the project. To avoid making this mistake, be sure to do your research beforehand and create a Detailed Plan including costs, timelines, and permits required. This will save you a lot of headache—and money—down the road.
3. Going Over Budget
It's important to set a budget for your remodel and stick to it as closely as possible. There are a lot of temptations when remodeling, and it's easy to go overboard if you're not careful. Have a clear understanding of what you can afford before you start making any purchases.
4. Not Investigating Building Codes
If you're adding on to your restaurant or making any significant changes to the layout, it's important to check with your local building codes first. There's nothing worse than starting a big project only to find out that you're not in compliance and have to start from scratch. Avoid costly delays by doing your homework upfront.
5. Not Getting Permits
If you're doing any major construction as part of your remodel, it's important to get all the necessary permits before starting work. Failure to do so can result in costly fines or even stop the work from being completed altogether. Make sure you check with your local authorities to find out what permits you need before beginning any construction.
6. Forgetting About ADA Compliance
In addition to local building codes, you also need to make sure your remodel meets ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements . This includes ensuring that there's adequate wheelchair accessibility and making sure restrooms are equipped for people with disabilities. Failing to comply with ADA standards can result in steep fines, so it's definitely worth investigating before you get started on any changes .
7. Not Hiring an Expert
Last but not least, one of the biggest mistakes restaurateurs make when remodeling is trying to do it all themselves. Hiring an expert may seem like an unnecessary expense at first, but trust us—it will save you time (and money) in the long run. A good designer/architect/contractor team will have extensive knowledge of building codes and regulations and can help guide you through the permitting process.. They will also have industry connections which can save you money on things like construction costs and materials. In short, hiring an expert will help ensure that your project runs smoothly from start to finish—leaving you more time (and money) to focus on running your business. If you are ready to hire an expert in restaurant remodeling in South Florida follow this link.
All in all, remodeling your restaurant can be a great way to boost business, but it’s important to do it the right way. By avoiding these 7 common mistakes, you can stay on track, within budget, and end up with a space that both you and your customers will love!.
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