Restaurant buildouts are expensive, but the good news is there are ways to save. Here we’ll share a few strategies that we’ve seen successfully used in SoFla restaurant construction.

1. Look for used equipment – Commercial kitchen equipment may consume well over half of your overall construction budget. Look for opportunities to save by buying used rather than new.

2. Evaluate your lease – Take a good look at your lease agreement before signing it and see if there is room for negotiation. Doing so can save you a lot of money upfront and may even free you from paying rent during renovation.

3. Hire an experienced general contracting team – One of the most effective ways to save money on construction is to hire a team who can commit to delivering the project on time and on budget.

All too often we see restaurant owners attempting to save money on construction by hiring the lowest-bidding contractor. Not only does this come back to bite them by costing substantially more by fixing unnecessary errors, but also the quality of workmanship is inferior and won’t stand the test of time.

When interviewing contractors, ask the tough questions and remember that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. While it may sound counterintuitive, it pays to spend more to save more, especially when it comes to selecting a contractor.

4. Plan ahead and value engineer – By having your contractor onboard early in the planning phase, you can work with them to create an effective restaurant design – and one that also includes cost-wise decisions. Value engineering does not mean sacrificing quality. It means making strategic decisions that will still help you achieve your overall goals, yet save you money.

As you consider your restaurant construction goals and priorities, come talk to us at Seacoast Construction. We can help you make sense of what you’re seeing in other construction bids and guide you through the entire renovation process.