When the wheels of retail construction are set in motion, there are a lot of moving parts you need to consider. Because of these considerations—setting goals and budgets, choosing a location, hiring retail contractors, securing permits, developing a timeline, finalizing designs, and, of course, the construction itself—it’s important to make decisions that will yield the best results in the long run. In this blog, we’ll help you not only plan the process, but plan it well.
Define Your Retail Concepts and Goals
A clear understanding of your retail construction project is a must. Ask yourself who your target customer is, what type of experience you want them to have, and what role your branding plays in shaping the space. Once that’s done, consider how those answers will inform design elements such as:
- Layout and flow of your store
- Lighting and ambiance
- Colors, finishes, and other materials
- Graphic elements and signage
- Displays and merchandising areas
When your vision is defined early in the process, it will help you make plenty of important decisions later, such as selecting a location and hiring the right retail general contractor.
Set a Realistic Budget
Like it or not, money almost always has a heavy impact on project planning like this. Before extensive plans are made, you need to make a comprehensive and realistic budget. Make sure you include:
- Design/architectural fees
- Permit/inspection costs
- Construction labor and materials
- Furniture, fixtures, and equipment
- Security systems and other technology
It’s also highly advisable to have contingency money that will help you cover unexpected fees. We recommend this be 10%–15% of your budget.
Choose the Right Location
Location, location, location! It’s such an important factor in business success that we can’t possibly overstate it—just take a look at this article from Forbes. When you’re considering your options, keep in mind the several factors that could help (or hinder) you.
- Foot traffic and visibility—Every person who walks past your store is a potential customer.
- Accessibility—Will customers and delivery personnel be able to get in and out of your establishment easily?
- Parking—Will people be able to park within a reasonable distance of your location? If so, consider other convenience factors such as ease of parking and parking costs.
- Zoning regulations—Is your retail location’s intended use allowed in the area you’re eyeing?
- Demographics—Do the people in your potential location align with your target audience?
When you select the right space, you’re setting the stage for smooth permitting, better construction, and success in the long term.
Assemble Your Project Team
If you want your retail construction project to be successful, you need every aspect of your team to be experienced and communicative. To start with, make sure you hire a retail general contractor who is experienced with this type of project. At Encore Construction, this is our bread and butter. We understand the process beginning to end, and we’ll be your partner throughout it—not just a standard contractor.
On top of that, be diligent in selecting interior designers, engineers, and a dedicated point of contact to manage communication between everyone involved. When you work with professionals who understand what makes a retail space tick, you can streamline the process and maximize efficiency. Their insights can be crucial when navigating permits and approvals, as well. Speaking of which …
Secure Permits and Approvals
Have you ever seen a spy movie in which a character has to navigate a hallway of lasers without touching any of them? That’s kind of what it feels like to navigate permits, inspections, and approvals. Don’t worry, though; with the right precautions and preparations, those “lasers” can be put behind you so you can focus on what’s ahead.
Make sure you communicate with your assembled team and account for building, electrical, plumbing, and signage approvals. In certain cases, accessibility or environmental reviews are also thrown into the mix.
You should give yourself ample time to allow this process to take place. Few things are as frustrating as being ready to start your retail construction project, only to be stonewalled by a slow-moving approval process.
Develop a Construction Timeline
While the approval process is going on, there are still things you can do—like developing a construction timeline. Time is money, as they say, meaning you want to be efficient with it! Here are some milestones you should set:
- Permit approvals
- Site preparation
- Framing
- Interior finishes
- Final inspections
Be sure to account for product delivery schedules, a store opening date, and potential delays as a result of supply chain disruptions or inclement weather.
Finalize Design and Layout
If you want your store layout to be effective, there are two things you should prioritize: your brand and how best to make shopping enjoyable. When planning the store layout, think about:
- Encouraging sales: Set up high-margin or other featured products in high-traffic areas.
- Ease of navigation: Make sure none of your aisles feel cramped and position your signage where it will be visible, but not in the way.
- Customer comfort: Appropriate lighting, seating areas, and climate control all play a part.
- Brand consistency: Colors, materials, and visuals that align with your identity should be part of your store’s visuals.
- Future scalability: Leave some space for potential expansion or changes in product offerings.
Every thoughtful choice in your design and layout helps to create a lasting impression for your customers!
Oversee Construction and Communicate
When construction begins, you have to stay involved in the project! Conduct regular site visits and status meetings so you can stay informed and your whole team can remain on the same page. On top of that, such involvement helps you identify and address issues before they become big problems. Open communication with your contractor—we’re pretty good about it—will ensure the project progresses smoothly.
If any surprise challenges do arise, adopting a hands-on approach will help you make important timely decisions and adapt without significant impact to the project as a whole.
Your Partners in Great Retail Construction
Planning a retail construction project involves several moving parts that need to be carefully considered and kept on track. With careful preparation, however, this undertaking becomes a lot more manageable, and you can turn your vision into a vibrant reality. When you define your concepts, budget properly, choose the right retail contractors, and stay heavily involved, you’re taking the first steps in making sure your business is successful.
At Encore Construction, we know how important every part of this process is, and we take our role in it seriously. If you want to put your construction project in good hands, get in touch!