Restaurant Renovation Calgary | Remodel and Upgrade

How much does it cost to refurbish a restaurant in Calgary?

Typically a restaurant renovation will cost somewhere in the range of $200 - $250 per square foot.  Bedrock Construction prides itself on accurate pricing and schedules for a successful renovation.

As you might expect however there are a significant amount of variables that come into play, especially in commercial buildings construction, general commercial construction and commercial renovations that can move the budget one way or the other.  The best thing to do is contact us and give us an idea of what it is you are after when it comes to a refresh.  We can walk you through the options and provide pricing to renovate a restaurant based on your needs.

What is the purpose of a restaurant renovation?

For a residential renovation, the purpose is to give your house a new look, provide extra space, reconfigure the layout and ultimately increase the value of your home.  When it comes to commercial renovations and specifically restaurant renovations these construction projects are somewhat similar.  The goal is to create a new look, increase the seating capacity, change the layout and ultimately increase the earning capacity of the business.

The purpose of a restaurant renovation can vary based on the specific goals and needs of the establishment. Here are some common reasons why restaurants undergo the restaurant renovation process:

1. Updating the Look and Feel: Restaurants may renovate to refresh their interior design, decor, and overall ambiance. An updated and modern look can attract new customers and keep existing ones interested.
2. Enhancing the Guest Experience: Renovations can focus on improving the customer experience by optimizing seating arrangements, improving lighting, enhancing acoustics, and creating a more comfortable and enjoyable dining environment.
3. Staying Competitive: In a competitive industry, restaurants need to stay relevant and stand out from the competition. Renovations can help a restaurant stay current with design trends and customer preferences.
4. Expanding Capacity: As a restaurant's popularity grows, the need for more seating capacity may arise. Renovations can involve expanding the dining area or creating additional space to accommodate more patrons.
5. Updating Equipment and Infrastructure: Over time, equipment and infrastructure in a restaurant may wear out or become outdated. Renovations can involve updating kitchen facilities, HVAC systems as some restaurants may not have air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical systems to ensure efficient operations.
6. Rebranding or Repositioning: A restaurant may decide to rebrand or change its concept to attract a new target audience or respond to evolving market demands. Renovations can align the restaurant's physical appearance with its new identity.
7. Meeting Safety and Regulatory Standards: Renovations may be necessary to bring the restaurant up to current safety and accessibility standards, ensuring compliance with building codes and health regulations.
8. Addressing Wear and Tear: Over time, high-traffic areas in a restaurant can experience wear and tear. Renovations can involve repairing and refreshing surfaces, flooring, and fixtures to maintain a polished and professional appearance.
9. Creating Energy Efficiency: A restaurant renovation project can include energy-efficient updates, such as LED lighting, low-flow faucets, and insulation improvements, which not only save costs in the long run but also contribute to sustainability efforts.
10. Increasing Profitability: A well-executed renovation can revitalize a restaurant's image, attract more customers, and ultimately lead to increased revenue and profitability.

Overall, a restaurant renovation (or other commercial construction) serves to improve the dining experience, create a welcoming atmosphere, and align the establishment with its business goals and customer expectations. It's a strategic investment in the long-term success and growth of the restaurant.

The one other major thing a restaurant renovation does is create the opportunity for buzz.  Social media and even traditional media are great places to showcase your new look and new renovation to the world and to continue attracting customers.  Your regular customers and hopefully a variety of new customers will come and check out your new space.

What are the most common renovations in a restaurant?

If you are looking for inspiration for your restaurant renovation or a bang for your buck then we have a short list of things that you should consider on your list of wants.

1. Bathrooms - No matter what, everyone that comes to your restaurant typically visits the bathroom, especially women.  Make sure it's part of your plan, the washrooms need to be great.
2. Entry Way - The entryway to a restaurant can make or break the atmosphere and the overall experience.  People want simple, they want something that makes them feel comfortable.  People also want an experience so make sure from the moment they step on your property and into your space they are happy to be there.
3. Comfort - This is the collective bucket of things like the seating, the tables, the pathways, the lighting, the decor and the cleanliness.  This might not seem like it factors into the renovation, but it really is a part of the whole atmosphere and style of your space.  You need to think about your upholstery and decor items and how they will fit into your overall plan.  This may not be part of the renovation but it should be part of the plan when it comes to colour and feel.
   • Recommendations for upholstery in Calgary - Calgary Interiors
   • Recommendations for decor in Calgary - The Watermark Shop

What items should be on the Restaurant Renovation Checklist?

As you might expect there are a number of items that should be on your restaurant renovation checklist.

• Budget - It is definitely recommended to know what your budget is going into the renovation project
• Design vision - What kind of look are you going for?
• Timeline - How long do you want the renovation project to take? Will it be during your slow season?
• Commercial Kitchen Upgrades - Are you updating the first impression, new flooring, the lighting and the rest of the things people see or are you also updating the kitchen area?
• Interior Design - Do you have an interior designer helping with the interior design, or are you doing it yourself?  What is the design?

Useful Links

City of Calgary Permits

Nuheat Flooring

The Bedrock Process

Residential Renovations with Bedrock Construction