You are starting or expanding a restaurant or food service, and you need to hire a general contractor. You have heard of all the bad things if you hire the wrong contractor. What you need is a restaurant contractor — but what is a restaurant contractor?

There are risks when you hire anyone, regardless of licensing. You want to focus on your business and let someone else worry about building your restaurant.

As a restaurant owner familiarize yourself with what a general contractor does. Understand how to find a contractor for your project and the questions you should ask.

What is a Restaurant Contractor?

Restaurant contractors are general contractors. They specialize in food service facilities. These include restaurants, ghost kitchens, coffee shops, and more. The restaurant contractor plans and constructs the facility. This process includes:

• Selecting equipment and materials
• Preparation of plans & specifications
• Bidding and procurement
• Project management during construction
• Inspections
• Final document preparation

Gozen Construction will work with restaurant owners to meet their vision. They also ensure compliance with all guidelines in local codes and regulations. After completion, the restaurant contractor will perform any necessary punch list items. Only then can they hand off the project to their clients for an opening ceremony!

What is a restaurant contractor’s primary responsibility? The restaurant contractors’ main responsibility is to ensure client satisfaction. The contractor should be able to guide how best to achieve this goal while staying within budget constraints and other parameters such as time frames (construction duration), special requests (lighting/color schemes), etc…

What Does a Licensed General Contractor Do?

A licensed general contractor receives their license from the state. This allows them to oversee the construction of buildings and other structures. Licensed contractors must meet specific requirements, including education, experience, and financing qualifications. What is a restaurant contractor?

A general contractor may specialize in certain types of construction. Residential or commercial are examples of specialties. It’s essential to choose an experienced contractor for your construction needs. Work with your general contractor through each phase of the project.

The duties of a licensed general contractor include:

1. Planning – A licensed general contractor will develop a plan for your project upfront. This plan includes a timeline and steps for each phase.
2. Bidding – The contractor will compile bids from other interested companies. He’ll check each bid based on price, quality, reputation, and more to find one that best meets his needs and yours.
3. Supervising – Once hired, a licensed general contractor will supervise all construction responsibilities.

How to Work With a Contractor?

Restaurant contractors specialize in building and renovating restaurants. A professional restaurant contractor can handle all details of the project.

Need Help Finding a Contractor? Find the Right Contractor

Here are some tips on how to work with a restaurant contractor:

Choose Your Restaurant Contractors

It’s essential to choose the right contractor for your business. A poor choice can lead to serious problems down the road. Take time to find someone who has experience with your type of restaurant. Ask for referrals from other business owners with similar projects. Check past clients’ references before agreeing with any particular company.

Get Many Estimates

Estimates will give you an idea of cost and what kind of services each company provides. Ask about their experience working with restaurants like yours. How long they have been in business and how many projects they have completed in the past year or two (or three). Ensure estimates include all costs associated with the project. These costs include labor, materials, and sales tax (if applicable).

Do Your Research

When looking for a contractor to work with, it’s essential to do your research first. Look at their website and make sure they have experience working with restaurants. After deciding on a couple of contractors, ask for referrals. Do they offer any guarantees on their work? Will they give references from past clients?

Licensing & Insurance

How many years of experience do they have? Do they have any licenses or certificates? Are their workers insured?

References

Do they have references from past customers that you can call? If not, how do you know if they will do an excellent job for you?

Ask Questions

Can they answer all your questions about their past jobs and how long it took them to complete them?

Prices

What is their hourly rate for labor (or whatever other fees you’re charged)? Some companies charge by the hour while others charge by the job. Make sure that the price.

Risks of Hiring an Unlicensed Contractor

If you hire an unlicensed contractor, there are several risks involved:

• You may end up paying for work that does not meet local building codes. The work may not follow regulations set forth by your state government;
• It may take longer than expected for completion because they lack appropriate experience;
• They may not be able to finish the project within budget due to a lack of experience;
• They may not have liability or damage coverage for negligence during construction;
• If there is an issue with their workmanship, you will likely not have any recourse.

Our Services

At Gozen Construction, we specialize in any size restaurant construction. We are on top of everything from start to finish. Examples of restaurant construction projects we work on include:

• Restaurants
• Cafés, Coffee Shops and Bistros
• Cloud kitchens (Ghost Kitchens)
• Bakeries
• Juice, smoothy, and ice-cream shops
• Franchise locations
• Bars and Nightclubs

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I know if I need a Restaurant Contractor?

• The best way to determine if you need a Restaurant Contractor is to look at the scope of your project. You likely need a professional contractor if it involves construction, remodeling, or renovation.

Q: What types of projects can they help with?

• They can work on any project, including building new structures to interior renovations. Their services include everything from electrical work to plumbing repairs and more!

Q: How many years do they have in business?

• Find someone who has been in business for at least five years or more. This will ensure fewer mistakes on your project. Their knowledge of other projects is vital.