Retail shop fit-out is no kid’s play. Simply buying a property in ideal location, purchasing a few counters, changing the carpet, display cabinets and racks is not enough. Planning a fit-out requires considering a few factors as enlisted below.
Hiring A Specialist
A range of fit-out specialist contractors are there to help you in structuring your retail shop. Get a quote from a couple of reputable ones, before making a decision. If you are opening a hobby-style shop to sell artwork or clothes, better design it yourself. Ideas won’t cost you any money, especially if you are taking from specialists.
Wise Replacement Of Equipment
If you are buying a property that was previously used as a retail shop, there’s a good chance you may already have usable equipment, such as display cabinets, shop counters, bookcases, lighting, wire racks and other stuff. You can either choose to replace some with ready-made items or renovate the existing ones.
Research Thoroughly
When free source of knowledge is available to you, make the best use of it to tailor your fit-out plans. It’s a good idea to pay a visit to a few other shops selling merchandise similar to yours. Fit yourself in the shoes of a customer, and figure it out whether something is having a good impression on you or not. The manner in which you present your services is very important.
Complying With The Rules
A certified construction plan is a pre-requisite for delineating the space, and you need to have an entire floor plan showing the layout of displays, fixed furniture, walls, doors and lighting. There should be an emergency exit plan, along with sprinkler system heads and smoke detectors. You may also have to furnish ceiling height, location of wall tiling and internal elevations.
Visit your local council to get an idea about what all you need to show, in order to avoid any blunder in future. Never ignore employing a licensed builder, who knows the in and out of commercial renovation. When you are done and dusted with the initial planning, you need to execute it perfectly. Make sure all the logistics are in stock beforehand. You don’t want the flooring to be completed and the smoke detectors to be installed after all other work is done.
Ask Questions
There are plenty of factors to be considered even after full-proof planning. What should be the air-cooling and security system be like? Where should you put the emergency fire exit? Is there a need to provide disabled access? Will the structure stand the test of time without major upgrade? Pre-planning all possible events goes a long way in saving you loads of money.
Considering the nearby locality is also an important factor, since you don’t want your newly setup business place to be affected with noise and dust. If you are renting out a property, it is your landlord’s duty to maintain it in the best possible condition. Same is the case with a leased property as well, so keep that in mind!