The retail experience is essential to any community and while the pandemic has temporarily altered shopping behavior, retail stores are adapting as they compete against an increasingly larger and larger pool of online competitors as well as neighboring retail outlets.

As you make plans for your retail buildout, you already know that you’ll have to stand out from the competition and offer an in-store experience that continues to draw in shoppers day after day. But about the practical necessities required for the build? Your general contractor will take the lead in ensuring that your retail vision and goals can be accomplished.

Important Considerations Before Beginning Your Retail Buildout

• Understand your lease agreement – Are you renovating an existing retail property that is tied to a current lease, or are you looking at new leasing opportunities? Whether it’s a new or existing space, be sure to review the fine print of your lease agreement to understand your financial obligations as well as opportunities for tenant improvements before getting too far into the process of finalizing plans. There may be restrictions that could hinder certain project plans. When discussing ideas with your landlord, be sure to get agreed-upon details in writing.

Conversely if you are a landlord or property management company, consider the pros and cons of taking the lead on retail property renovations. This includes rethinking vanilla box construction for your properties prior to leasing space.

• Permit and zoning requirements – A headache to some, permitting and zoning are necessary to ensure safety and structural codes are being met and that order exists as various entities compete for prime property. At Seacoast Construction, we navigate the South Florida permitting process every day and know the intricacies and timelines that vary among each county and community.
• Know your budget and your goals – At the end of the day, you want a completed buildout that represents your goals for the project. If it is underbuilt or overbuilt, it will only frustrate you or potentially cause problems down the road. At Seacoast Construction, we work with your budget to find solutions that will work for the long haul. On the other hand, if a complete overhaul is unnecessary, save yourself some line items and instead make smart, substantial changes that best serve your needs in the now.

At Seacoast Construction, we pride ourselves on completing exceptional builds on-time and on-budget, every time. To ask your questions and schedule a consultation, get in touch with us today.