Restaurant Construction Checklist: 17 Critical Steps You Can’t Afford to Miss in 2026

Restaurant construction is unlike any other commercial build out. With commercial kitchens, specialized ventilation systems, heavy plumbing requirements, and strict health code regulations, restaurant construction projects require specialized expertise that standard office contractors simply don’t have.

Missing any critical step can delay your opening by weeks—or worse, require expensive rework that blows your budget. Here’s the comprehensive restaurant construction checklist our team uses to keep projects on track.

Why Restaurant Construction Is Different

Restaurant construction costs typically run $150-$500+ per square foot—significantly higher than standard commercial tenant build outs. This premium reflects the complexity of:

• Commercial kitchen equipment and installation
• Type I and Type II hood systems with make-up air
• Grease trap installation and plumbing requirements
• Fire suppression systems (Ansul or equivalent)
• Health department compliance at every phase

Phase 1: Restaurant Construction Pre-Planning

Before your restaurant construction project begins, complete these critical steps:

• ☐ Verify zoning allows restaurant use at your location
• ☐ Review lease for landlord requirements and TI allowance
• ☐ Confirm adequate utility capacity (gas, electric, water)
• ☐ Check for existing grease trap or plan for installation
• ☐ Assess existing HVAC capacity for kitchen loads
• ☐ Engage a restaurant construction contractor with commercial kitchen experience

The National Restaurant Association reports that inadequate pre-planning is the leading cause of restaurant construction delays.

Phase 2: Restaurant Construction Design Development

During design development, your restaurant construction team addresses:

• ☐ Commercial kitchen layout with equipment specifications
• ☐ Ventilation system design (Type I hood for cooking, Type II for dishwashing)
• ☐ Fire suppression system planning (Ansul or equivalent)
• ☐ Plumbing layout for 3-compartment sink, hand sinks, mop sink
• ☐ Electrical design for equipment loads (often 200+ amp service)
• ☐ Restroom count per occupancy requirements
• ☐ ADA compliance in all public areas

Phase 3: Permitting for Restaurant Construction

Restaurant construction requires multiple permits—more than typical commercial projects:

• ☐ Building permit
• ☐ Health department plan review
• ☐ Fire marshal approval
• ☐ Mechanical/HVAC permit
• ☐ Plumbing permit
• ☐ Electrical permit
• ☐ Sign permit (if applicable)
• ☐ Alcohol license (if applicable—start early, these take 60-90+ days)

Phase 4: Restaurant Construction Phase

During active restaurant construction, your contractor manages:

• ☐ Rough-in plumbing including grease trap connection
• ☐ Install ductwork and make-up air system
• ☐ Run electrical circuits for all equipment locations
• ☐ Install gas lines with proper shut-offs
• ☐ Frame walls including sound isolation if needed
• ☐ Install commercial-grade flooring (non-slip, easy to clean)
• ☐ Install FRP (fiberglass reinforced panels) in kitchen areas
• ☐ Set kitchen equipment (coordinate with equipment vendor)

Phase 5: Final Inspections

Before your restaurant construction is complete, you’ll need:

• ☐ Final building inspection
• ☐ Health department final inspection
• ☐ Fire department final inspection
• ☐ Certificate of occupancy
• ☐ Health permit to operate

Common Restaurant Construction Mistakes to Avoid

The biggest restaurant construction mistake we see? Underestimating ventilation costs. A proper commercial kitchen exhaust system with make-up air can easily cost $50,000-$150,000.

Second place goes to grease traps—retrofitting one after the slab is poured is exponentially more expensive than planning for it during restaurant construction.

Working with a restaurant construction contractor who has done this before makes all the difference. We know where the pitfalls are because we’ve navigated them dozens of times.

Planning a restaurant build out? Contact Bowser Construction Group to discuss your restaurant construction project with our experienced team.