Opening procedure  of shop / restaurant / office

Planning and choosing your property location

Choosing a business location is not something that can be done on a whim. It's a crucial step in starting a business. First things first, the business location you choose will depend on the type of business you operate. Business parks, shopping malls, strip malls, professional buildings, and others are all designed to meet the specific needs of various businesses.

A business location strategy takes planning and research and a willingness to thoroughly vet all of your options. With these helpful tips, you can identify the best place to locate your expanding business.  


Decide on a business location type

Here are five common types of business locations, but more creative options, like co-working spaces, are popping up all the time. Be on alert for these and other location types that would meet your specific needs.

  1. Retail business - Don’t limit yourself to storefronts and strip malls. You can also find retail space in airports, free-standing buildings, and special event kiosks. 
  2. Commercial business space - Commercial business spaces offer flexibility for even more growth down the road, but are typically best for businesses that don’t rely on heavy      consumer traffic. 
  3. Industrial site - If you operate a manufacturing or distribution business, you’ll have special needs and will likely have limited choices when it comes to opening a new location. Industrial sites are needed for companies that require large amounts of warehousing space, for companies that need access to major transportation routes, or for companies that may produce pollutants as part of the manufacturing process.

Make sure the business location is within your budget

Of course, one of your major priorities will be finding a location that fits within your company’s budget. However, that’s not all you need to examine when it comes to money. There often other location-specific costs to consider beyond the purchase price or monthly rent. Almost every location has different hidden costs that you need to account for: taxes, renovations, utility upgrades, minimum wage requirements, and economic incentives. Considering all the above will help you make a well-educated choice for your next business location. Before committing to anything, be sure to speak with other business owners in the area to make sure they’re happy with the location. Although you can never predict if a new location will be successful, you can do as much research as possible beforehand to ensure it is the best available fit for your growing business.

Consider your brand

Keep your brand in mind when developing your business location strategy and looking at options. For instance, you probably wouldn’t want to plant your new office supply location right in the middle of a high-end, boutique shopping district. Likewise, an upscale restaurant might not fare so well in the middle of a college town or rural area, where customers are used to spending less money on cuisine.

Think about vendors and suppliers

You'll need to secure a location that makes it easy for you to connect with your vendors and suppliers; otherwise, you might experience significant delays or run into frequent issues with inventory levels. When considering your options, ask yourself which location site makes it easier and cheaper for you to get the raw goods you need to operate.

Find a safe location

Operating a business where you feel safe and protected should not be underestimated. And besides your own safety and the safety of your employees, also consider your business's safety as well. This is especially important for businesses with inventory that may be at a higher risk for burglary and theft or if you'll frequently be running your business alone at night.

Go where it is demand

Ideally, you want to secure a business location that’s not saturated by your competition. Look for areas where your product or service is in high demand or where your competition is fairly low. If at all possible, you’ll want to expand to a location where the other businesses on the block are complementary, to ensure your business fits into the local market.

Think about recruiting effort

If you'll be hiring employees and managers for your business, you'll want to make sure you open in an area where there's good access to public transportation or where potential employees will be attracted. Finding high-quality employees is crucial to your business success, so plan your location around where employees want to work.

Look for sites with parking options

No matter how attractive your business is, sufficient parking should be a key consideration. Does your business location have a convenient parking lot, or will your customers need to pay for parking, and will they be willing to? If paid parking is your only option, you'll also want to consider if your business will offer validation. And don't forget about your employees here, they'll also need somewhere to park. 

The bottom line

There are several business location factors to consider, from pricing and availability to parking and market appeal. Choosing the best location for your business is crucial to your overall success, so it's important to do the necessary research before committing to a location. Be sure to think about your location not only as a business owner, but also from the point of view of an employee and potential customer. A well-informed business location strategy will ensure you find the best place to set up shop and open your doors for business. 


This article originally appeared on JUSTBusiness



Site inspection and possession

An inspection is a visual examination of the structure and systems of a building. If you are thinking of buying or renting a commercial shop or building, you should have it thoroughly inspected before the final rental or purchase by an experienced and impartial professional inspector.

A complete inspection includes a visual examination of the building from top to bottom. The inspector evaluates and reports the condition of the structure, roof, foundation, drainage, plumbing, heating system, central air-conditioning system, visible insulation, walls, windows, and doors. Only those items that are visible and accessible by normal means are included in the report. 

Why do you need an inspection?

The purchase or rental of a commercial building is one of the largest single investments you will ever make. You should know exactly what to expect - both indoors and out - in terms of needed and future repairs and maintenance. A fresh coat of paint could be hiding serious structural problems. Stains on the ceiling may indicate a chronic roof leakage problem or may be simply the result of a single incident. The inspector interprets these and other clues, then presents a professional opinion as to the condition of the property so you can avoid unpleasant surprises afterward. Of course, an inspection will also point out the positive aspects of a building, as well as the type of maintenance needed to keep it in good shape. After the inspection, you will have a much clearer understanding of the property you are about to purchase, and be able to make your decision confidently.

As a seller, if you have owned your building for a period of time, an inspection can identify potential problems in the sale of your building and can recommend preventive measures which might avoid future expensive repairs. 

AVINCAS Project will assist you to inspect your potential business property, to prepare you for making your best choices.



Choosing a design build contractor

Design-Build is a method of project delivery in which one entity – the design-build team – works under a single contract with the project owner to provide design and construction services; thus, streamlining the process and, of equal importance, providing for a single source of accountability. If this sounds ideal for your next project, choosing the right partner makes all the difference in the world when it comes to how smoothly your project runs from start to finish. Remember, when choosing the Design-Build method, it is critical to select the right firm and make sure it is equally strong in delivering a thoughtful and functional design (that is also compatible with your project scope and program) as well as an efficient and cost-effective construction process that meets your deadline and budget. When reviewing companies, it’s important to evaluate each side (design and construction) separately before coming to a final decision to ensure your satisfaction throughout the entire life of the project. In addition, understanding the firm’s experience and process is critical. Keep in mind the following tips to consider during the selection phase. Bottom line, do your research up front to save time (and potentially avoid a hassle) on the back end.

Interview Prospective Design-Build Contractors

It’s important to understand who you will be working with and what their approach to the project is. Consider interviewing candidates and asking the following questions

Experience

Have them identify three other similar projects that were completed in the last 5 years that includes the same team they would put on your project.

Team 

Find out who is involved and what their role is. Are they staff members or subcontractors? 

Design side

Review their portfolio and ask questions about how they work with clients during the design phase, how they charge for their design services and how many options you will see. It’s important to understand how design is balanced with construction costs.

Construction side

Ask about square footage costs, similar industry experience, and what percentage of work is done by subcontractors versus employees  

Budget

How do they control costs and manage the budget during the design phase? What does their bidding process look like?

Risk

How does their team mitigate risks? Provide a real-life example and solution.

Process

What is the process through both the design and building phases?  

Insurance

Ask about coverage in the event of an accident or property damage. 

Ask for references

Ideally, request references for the projects discussed earlier regarding experience.

Contact us to see how we can make it happens for you

Confirm design and material selection

The interior materials that AVINCAS Project choose for  floors and walls must be prioritized in such a way so you can splurge effectively. Following are the basic materials used for interior designing finishes:

Selection of wood


There are different types of wood used for a variety of purposes in interiors. One of the common and widely used woods for interior flooring is “hardwood”. Red Oak, American Cherry, Walnut, etc. are the types of hardwood used. Depending on the quality and pattern, the prices also vary.

Considering that hardwood is eternal, it offers more durability as compared to other flooring material. The best thing about hardwood is that it effortlessly blends with any style. If you admire the traditional style, you can opt to use mahogany, walnut, and oak and on the other hand, maple and tiger-wood suit the contemporary style. All these interior design materials have to be carefully considered before you assign them to a design.

Selection of mosaic tile

Mosaic tiles are one of the most preferred flooring materials while doing interior design as they are easily available in a variety of designs, patterns, and colours. Mosaic tiles are timeless and elegant looking, they can satisfy your need. The price of mosaic depends on customization and the types of material you choose. If you are looking for traditional or contemporary designs, you have an array of choices such as natural stone, vitreous glass, unglazed porcelain, sintered glass, etc.

Choice of carpet

Carpets make an excellent choice when it comes to adding colour, warmth, and sophistication. Most importantly, they can be bought on a budget. Maintenance is not an issue as carpets can easily be maintained by vacuuming. However, carpets need to be changed at least once in five years keeping hygiene in mind. 

Wallpaper

Wallpaper are another basic interior design finish widely seen in many households. They are available in endless prints and patterns and you can find amazing designs right from traditional to modern. The best thing about wallpapers is that you can choose from a variety of ranges, thus making it very easy to change at regular intervals. Whether it’s the office open area or shop, wallpapers serve as one of the best interior finishes. It’s very easy to put them up as well as pull them off.



Design drawings submission to landlord for approval

AVINCAS Project will assist you to review your Landlords' development guidelines and prepare all necessary interior design drawings and fit out proposal for their approval.

Preliminary document submittal

The Preliminary Document review process will evaluate all the criteria discussed in this manual, including overall three-dimensional form, degree of design uniqueness and identity, use and detailing of materials, colors and lighting, and integration of signage and graphics. Submittals are to provide the reviewer with a clear understanding of proposed design concepts. The submission must be complete in order to fairly evaluate the proposal and prevent continuation of work on an unacceptable design. Landlord will review and comment on preliminary documents usually within fifteen (15) days of receipt. If Preliminary Documents are returned to the Tenant with comments and do not bear the conditional approval of the Landlord, Tenant shall see that the drawings are revised to satisfy any comments by Landlord and resubmitted to the Landlord for approval usually within ten (10) days of their receipt by Tenant.

We shall submit to Landlord electronic PDF files to review:

1. Color and material sample board - Include actual samples of all Tenant colors and materials visible to the public, mounted on foam core or card stock. Clearly label all materials and reference to floor plan elevations.

2. Perspective and/or photo image(s) - Colored perspective rendering and/or prototypical photo images of the proposed storefront, including graphics and signage.

3. Key plan on cover sheet

a. Name of Tenant, name of Mall or Center, space number 

b. Applicable Codes, Building Type and Occupancy Type

c. Leased square footage 

4. Floor plan

a. Entire lease dimensioned space with room names 

b. Floor finishes, casework and fixture locations 

5. Reflected ceiling plan

a. Lighting design, including fixture types and locations, signage, access panels 

b. Overhead projections such as light coves and fascia systems 

c. Entry 

6. Sections 

a. Entry 

b. Display windows and fascia 

c. Sign integration into storefront design

7. Storefront elevations

a.  Exterior views - front and sides 

b. Signs, graphics, logos


Final document submittal / construction documents

1. Key plan

a. Name of Tenant, name of Mall or Center, space number and location leased premises within Mall or Center 

b. Applicable codes, building type and occupancy type 

c. Leased square footage d. Responsibility schedule 

2. Floor plans

a. Entire lease space with room names 

b. Floor finishes, casework and fixture locations 

c. Demolition plan

3.  Reflected ceiling plan

a. Complete lighting design, including fixture types and locations, signage, access panels 

b. Overhead projections such as light coves and fascia systems 

c. Entry 

d. Connection to Landlord’s work. Tenant’s framing and/or additional structure showing freestanding from Landlord’s structure. 

4. Sections

a. Entry 

b. Display windows and fascia 

c. Sign integration into storefront design 

d. Connection to Landlord’s work. Tenant’s framing and/or additional structure showing freestanding from Landlord’s structure

5. Interior Elevations

a. All sales floor interior views 

b. Built-in casework, signage, display systems

6. Storefront Elevations

a. Exterior views - front and sides 

b. Signs, graphics, logos 

c. Landlord neutral piers 

d. Storefront finishes (to be referenced to finish schedule)

7. Architectural Details

8. Door schedule w/ details

9. Details, fixture finishes

10. Finish and color schedule

11. Mechanical documents

a. Reflected ceiling plan, depicting diffusers and return air grilles 

b. Roof plan showing the location of proposed rooftop equipment 

c. Details of all equipment and methods of installations

d. Unit &equipment schedule, load calculations, outside air requirements

12. Plumbing documents

a. Floor plan depicting all water piping, sanitary facilities, plumbing vent piping, water heater, drinking fountains (if any), water closet, lavatory and floor drain 

b. Plumbing single line diagram 

c. Plumbing fixture schedule 

d. Water heater detail and cut sheet 

e. Grease trap cut sheets and information for all food preparation areas having pot sinks and/or any grease-producing appliances that will discharge into the waste system 

13. Fire protection / smoke evacuation documents

a. Engineered sprinkler documents shall consist of a reflected ceiling plan depicting sprinkler head locations drawn

b. Smoke evacuation requirements 

14. Electrical document

a. Electrical load summary

b. Floor plan depicting branch circuiting and equipment locations 

c. Reflected ceiling plan depicting the layout of light fixtures 

d. System one-line diagram 

e. Panel board schedules 

f. Lighting fixture schedule 

g. Legend 

15. Structural documents

a. Design elements affecting the structure of the base building

b. Alterations, additions, modifications and reinforcements to the base building which shall be required to accommodate Tenant’s Work 

c. All calculations & details

d. All forms required by governmental agencies and Governmental Regulations, fully and properly completed and executed by Tenant 

e. Partial structural framing plan showing existing conditions for new and existing rooftop installations and proposed reinforcement, which shall be accompanied by structural engineers’ calculations

f. Ceiling, soffits, storefront attachment details to existing base building


Procurement

The design and build procurement route has many advantages that allow the client full scope of creativity whilst being as involved and informed about the project as they wish to be. By having AVINCAS Project design and build team working together, the client will be able to make one call to us to implement the project.

Advantages of the design and build procurement

  • Clients who are unsure or unable to find consultants or their own in-house technical departments may the design and build procurement contracts attractive. Likewise, it is also understood by the clients that due to the fact that the design and build contractor is accountable for design and construction, inclusive of quality, the client will, therefore, see an advantage from the lower costs of third-party inspectorates and contract administration.
  • Due to the fact that design and construction are combined and the personnel from both sides of the project are working with each other for the same goal. They find it easier to improve the Design and Build capability of the client’s project. They can assess other materials and methods for the project. Innovation and productivity should always lead to cost savings. If all the innovation occurs during the design development stage, both the design and build contractor and the client see benefits for the cost savings at this stage of a project.
  • If the client can have the agreed design stay the same throughout the project without deciding to change it at any point, the designer can be quite positive that the total cost of construction will stay the same. Although, it is possible that the designer will need some design changes during the project, but it should then be possible for the contractor to provide a point by point explanation and illustration of exactly how any such changes will affect overall costs.

On site construction

Dynamic delivery

AVINCAS Project's fit out specialists have a track record like no other contractor. From the biggest, most complex corporate headquarters to national retail roll-outs to the small but vital projects that help keep businesses competitive, for decades we have delivered fit out construction on time, on budget and to an exceptional level of quality. We achieve this success for our customers with sound processes and proven delivery methods, driven by our fast-paced and agile culture. 

The delivery dynamic

Our years spent working alongside businesses and consultants to address building complex space challenges means we understand not only what constitutes great delivery, but also what makes a great delivery dynamic. Quite simply, we don’t believe in a means to an end. We believe in the open communication and collaboration that underpins strong relationships and creates enriching customer journeys. 

Absolute completion

Fit out delivery often falls down at the final hurdle – an industry reality we are committed to changing. By working to engage earlier in the procurement process and remaining involved in the project long after its handover, we can ensure seamless and effective delivery with the smoothest possible transition to the end user. We promise absolute completion, and we make sure we get it every time. 

Always care

We are committed to building stronger, deeper, more productive relationships with our customers. ‘Always care’ is a core value for AVINCAS people and so we’ve taken the traditional notion of aftercare and evolved this into a trusted and long-term service built on a deep understanding of our customers. Bridging the gap between fit out and facilities management, our specialists deliver ‘anytime-anywhere’ projects to support our customers’ constantly changing business needs.  

As built drawings submission

AVINCAS Project will provide a full set of as-built drawings to our client and his/her landlord. Usually, the Tenant is required to submit three (3) complete sets of hard copies and one (1) set of soft copy in Auto-CAD format (in a compact disc) of as-built drawings to the Landlord within 7 days after the completion of all fit-out works. The drawings shall include floor layout plans, floor loading of heavy equipment, reflected ceiling plans, office elevation, all E&M installations, systems etc., together with a copy of the completion certificate of the Electrical works (i.e. form WR-1/A) and Fire Services installation (i.e. Form 251) for reference and record. If the operation inside the Tenant’s premises requires licensing or approval from any Governmental Authorities, a copy of such license or approval letter shall be submitted to the Property Manager. 

Importance of as-build drawings

As-built drawings are essential in construction projects for the following reasons:

  1. As-built drawings provide precise details about the changes performed at any interim stage of the project. It facilitates easy visualization of the upcoming steps, notice complications, and early solving of issues.
  2. As-built drawings provide details of installations to the owners and clients to help them with any future modifications of the structure. 
  3. As-built drawings are valuable documents that provide future buyers with a clear idea of what is sold and purchased. It also forms a foundation to conduct future modifications.