Starting, Owning and Marketing A Restaurant Blog|Starting and Owning a Restaurant - Construction, Planning, Marketing, Opening and Managing a New Restaurant

When building or remodeling a restaurant, selecting the right contractors and tradesmen is a process we outlined in previous posts. In the last post (Nov. 24), we noted how critical the week of Thanksgiving was to our goal of opening yet this year. We thought we had everyone scheduled to get over a big hurdle on Wednesday. This was the day we scheduled the roof penetration for the hood ventilation. This task required the general contractor, electrician, roofer and hood builder to coordinate the project. The goal was to get the hood in and inspected on Monday.

Everything went fine until the hood builder was a no-show at noon on Wednesday to install. He had confirmed he would be there on Tuesday. During the contractor selection process, the hood supplier was my biggest question mark. I had heard about some bad experiences with them from a couple of other sources. Despite my reluctance, the architect pushed to use this particular contractor and I relented. I am paying the price.

While the obvious response is to get someone else, that is a little difficult to do when it takes days to plan, build and get approval for a hood system. In addition, the hood designer got $6000 in advance to start the project for materials.

Just another lesson - if you have doubts, be absolutely confident of the people you choose to do the work. It could cost you days and weeks in the building process.

So far this week we have:

• gotten the electric circuits all run.
• made the floor penetration for the hood to the space above.
• made the penetration for the hood ventilation in the roof.
• finished all the rough in plumbing and had inspected.
• got our final slab inspection and can pour the last small remaining area of concrete where plumbing was run for drains, grease trap and vents in the floor.
• made the wall penetration for the make-up air to the hood system.
• put up drywall for the area around the hood where we will no longer have access around the hood.

Today we hope to find out what happened to the hood contractor and get the hood system installed.

Monday and Tuesday have been busy. Here are just a few of the tasks and actions since the lease signing:

• Over the weekend we cut an old lock off a walk-in that no one had the key for and replaced it.
• Had several sets of keys made for access to the location. Contractors and others will need them. The locks will be re-keyed prior to opening.
• Checked all electrical boxes to determine what circuits supplied various boxes. The landlord is leaving electric in their name until air conditioner certification is made according to the lease.
• On Monday calls were made to the engineer/architect, contractor and another hood contractor. One hood quote was received that seemed to be high.
• After talking to the engineer, it was clear he had done nothing since our last conversation. He put partial blame on the contractor.
• Late in the afternoon I met with another general contractor who wants to do the project. He and his engineer will meet with me on Wednesday. I must have a backup plan if the current contractor and architect can’t get moving.
• Late yesterday evening the current general contractor finally returned my call. He, of course, blamed the delays on the engineer (who was his choice, as I reminded him). We cannot pull any construction permits without drawings. He promised he would get the architect moving and call me today to confirm the drawings would be done quickly.
• Today I met with the alternative hood supplier to obtain a quote, which he will send to me.
• The general called me around 11 AM and said the engineer would complete the drawings quickly.
• Later in the day the engineer called for several pieces of information he needs to finalize the draft of the drawings. He also wants to meet to discuss some alternative ideas I have gotten from other sources. We agreed to meet one evening this week.
• The draft of the business plan has been completed, but I haven’t had time to review it.
• My regular heating and cooling guy agreed to come and look at the walk-in and a two door refrigerator that hasn’t been run in a year. He will see what work needs to be done.

Based on what has occurred, I am feeling better about getting the project moving and having the plans in place to make changes if necessary.. More as the week progresses