Starting any renovation project may seem daunting. There’s so much to do, and so many decisions to make, it can be hard to know where to start! If you’re looking to renovate your shop there’s even more to consider – so much that it may seem overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. If you’re looking to renovate your shop and you’re not sure where to start, look no further. We’ve done our research and put together this step by step guide which will help you to make your renovation run as smoothly as possible. For all the information you’ll need, just take a look!
What do you want the end result to be?
So you’ve decided to renovate your shop. But what’s your first step? With so much to decide, it can be hard to know where to start. Before you start making decisions though, take some time to figure out exactly what it is you want. Create a clear image in your mind as to what the end result of your renovations will be. What will your shop look like? What kind of atmosphere are you looking to create? By being clear about what you want, you’ll make the whole renovation process a lot easier. Remember to keep your end goals in mind when making your decisions – after all, it’s your shop and you deserve the best.
Planning
The most important part of you shops renovation process has to be the planning. Before you do anything else, set out some expectations as to what it is you’re trying to achieve. But what are the main things to consider? We’d recommend starting with your budget. That way you know exactly what you’re working with and you can plan accordingly. Once you know your budget you can start planning other details. Do you have a theme? Are there any color schemes you like? What sort of layout would be best? What about the lighting, plumbing and roof? Maybe some things don’t need changing? These are all questions you’ll need to consider before starting your project, and being clear in your mind as to what you want to achieve will make the renovation process run a lot more smoothly.
Be realistic
Set realistic goals. We know it can be hard to wait, and you may be keen to get started as quickly as possible, but try and be patient. Consider the amount of work that needs to be done and set out a realistic timeline for when you want certain tasks to be completed by. Consult others for advice and make sure you know roughly how long certain jobs will take. Also be realistic with your budget. Quality is important, but make sure you set out a budget that is suitable for your shop.
Shop around
When it comes to shopping for everything you need to make your shops renovation successful, it’s important to shop around. You’ll have a lot of decisions to make. Lighting, paint, flooring, fixtures and fittings…the list goes on. Make sure you thoroughly research all the options available to you. Maybe start by looking at other shops which you like the design of. What types of products have they used? Have a look at all the options available to you. Which one is best for you is down to your personal preferences and budget, but taking a look at all the products first will give you a clearer idea of which ones would work best in your shop.
What do your customers want?
You’re bound to have a lot of ideas when it comes to your shops renovation, but don’t forget to think about your customers too. What do they want? What’s going to make their shopping experience more enjoyable? After all, attracting and maintaining good relationships with your customers is what retail is all about, right? Do some market research. Find out what customers are looking for from a shopping experience and what type of colors and features would attract them to a shop. Try and design a layout that’s as easy as possible from them to navigate. Making sure your customers enjoy their shopping experience will bring maximum benefits to the success of your shop.
Choose a team of renovators
Once you’ve made all your key planning decisions, the next step is to choose a team of renovators to get your project started. Having a clear idea in your mind of what you want your shop to look like is really helpful. It will enable you to give clear directions. Make sure you choose carefully, and find a renovator that you can trust to carry out a high quality of work within the timescale that you require. Check their references and reviews, or ask the renovator for some examples of their previous projects to help you get a better idea of the quality you can expect from them. It’s great to have your own ideas and be clear about what you want – but don’t be afraid of being open minded when it comes to listening to any ideas your renovator may have. To achieve the best results, it’s best to work with them, and not to just dictate to them.
Start renovating
Now that you’ve made all your plans, the only thing left to do is start your shops renovation. This is a time of huge excitement, but can also bring about a lot of stress. As long as you’ve carefully planned your renovation, it should all run smoothly and you should start seeing results in no time. Don’t be afraid to change part of your original plans. You can change your mind about parts of your design if you feel they aren’t working. Maybe you feel the layout would work better a different way? Maybe you’ve changed your mind about the color scheme? If you have any doubts, now would be the time to change it. After all, you want your shop to look perfect at the end of your renovations.
Enjoy your renovation
Our final tip for your shops renovation project is to enjoy it! And we’re not just talking about the end result – because that goes without saying. Enjoy the whole process. Everything from the early plans all the way through to the finishing touches. This is an exciting time – so make sure you have fun renovating.