Find a contractor for your restaurant

Look beyond a general remodeling portfolio

Ask about restaurants with cooking equipment, service style and space conditions similar to yours. Find out which work the company performed and who coordinated the other trades.

A finished photo does not explain the contractor’s role. Ask for examples of equipment installation, landlord coordination and inspection follow-through relevant to this project.

• Ask who would supervise your job day to day.
• Discuss experience with occupied commercial buildings.
• Request references for comparable restaurant work.

Give each bidder the same basis

Send the current plans, equipment schedule, landlord requirements and responsibility list together. Highlight owner-purchased items and work by other contractors.

Ask each bidder to identify exclusions and allowances. An allowance is a placeholder amount for an item whose final price or selection is not settled.

• Record the drawing versions used in each bid.
• Separate supply, installation and final connections.
• Request written answers to the same clarification questions.

Check the company and the written agreement

Use the California Contractors State License Board’s lookup to check the business and license information. A license check is one part of your research, alongside relevant experience and references.

Review scope, payment terms, changes, scheduling and responsibilities with appropriate advisers before signing. Do not assume terms for a home improvement contract automatically apply to a commercial restaurant project.

• Match the contracting business to the license record.
• Identify who can authorize additional work.
• Agree how delays and unresolved scope will be documented.

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