You’ve found the future home for your business and you can hardly wait to see your vision unfold. Before you begin, check these potential limitations so you don’t need to return to the drawing board mid-stream:
What You Are Allowed To Do In The Space
Your rental agreement will lay out what uses you can have, related to the property’s zoning. If you say you’re putting in an office, you may not be able to add a retail component later. You may be tempted to sublet part of your space, but that may be limited as well. If you are in a restaurant district, you may or may not be able to add a patio dining area. Knowing ahead of time will save you before you invest in renovations you’ll need to undo.
Check The Structure
You want to make sure the plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems are able to support the needs of your business, particularly if you are opening a restaurant. You can only meet the public health requirements if you have enough sinks and the water pressure to run your dishwasher efficiently. If you’re adding more plugs, guarantee your wiring is up to code and to the level you need. And if you’re taking down walls, you’ll want to feel secure in knowing what weight they are bearing. Check the heating system and roof too so there are no surprises.
Investigate The Building’s History
If the previous owner or renter cut corners, there may be paperwork to clear up before you get your permits. This could include steps to ensure fire safety or a neglected repair. A stop-work order could really set you back so get any past issues cleared up before you go too far. You can easily check via a quick call to the municipality’s building department. Specify with your landlord who will clear up any past issues.
Make Sure The Site Is Accessible
You want to welcome people of every physical ability, which may mean ramps and certain sizes of doors, hallways or washrooms. Knowing these details early will help you build these costs into your budget.
Take Care of Bathroom Basics
Think ahead about whether the public will share bathrooms with staff and how many you will need. Restaurants will have specific requirements about where they are and what sanitation level is required. Build these spaces with easy-to-clean surfaces to save your staff time and put up clear directional signs. If you’re in an office within a larger building, you may have shared facilities. Find out what you need since bathroom renos can be costly.
By taking care of these items, you should be able to avoid delays and get your business up and running just the way you dreamed.