Check this List Before Kicking Off the Design and Construction of Your Retail Gas Stations

Here are the 7 essentials you need to consider to keep your gas station construction project moving in the right direction, make the best use of your time, and get ahead of potential problems.

1 - Start with the Right Help

One of the first things you need to think about is if you can handle this fuel station remodel project on your own. Do you have the skills, expertise, and time to ensure everything runs smoothly and manage the project from beginning to end? 

If the answer is no, then you need to be honest with yourself about your own limitations when it comes to project management and don’t be afraid to reach out to a professional for help.

2 - Potential Roadblocks

If you don’t fully understand the risks and challenges involved in your fuel station remodel project and factors affecting the petroleum industry before it begins, every obstacle you face will come as a shock and leave you scrambling to find a solution. 

It’s much more efficient for your design and project (and your sanity) to prepare yourself sufficiently for all the obstacles that may lie ahead.

The earlier you understand potential issues, whether it’s with permitting or acquiring materials, the better. 

The quicker you prevent these problems from happening in the first place or minimize their impact, the less likely you’ll face bigger roadblocks down the road that could derail your entire fuel station project.

3 - Electrical Upgrades

We know first-hand what it’s like when a project goes awry because there are several electrical installation upgrades that your team needs to execute before beginning other renovation work. 

And when you throw electric vehicle infrastructure into the mix, getting your necessary electrical work right in the beginning of your remodeling project is even more critical. 

Make sure you carefully inspect the site to precisely plan out your electrical work before other elements take place to make sure your vital construction roadmap can go live on time. 

Want to learn more about preparing for the EV revolution? Check out our previous blog “The Future of Gas Stations and Electric Vehicles.”

4 - Food Service Remodels

Adding a fast food service to your fuel station or remodeling existing food service spaces adds another layer of complexity to permitting, building code reviews, and permit approvals.

You’ll not only have more electrical requirements to contend with but also challenges with health and safety codes too.

We’ve completed several food service renovation projects in our time, from Pizza restaurants to ice cream parlors, and we know from experience that this is something you must plan in advance. 

Without a plan to address the specific needs of a food service project, you’ll almost certainly run into permitting issues, problems with health and safety codes, and even challenges with getting food service-related supplies in on time.

5 - Construction Priorities

Start with a strong grasp on your priorities for your remodel project. This will help keep things focused so you can avoid getting sidetracked  and having to make uninformed, last-minute decisions. 

Take the time to consider what your overall goals for your project are to help guide your decision-making process. 

Create a list of priorities from a broad perspective, and narrow them down into each component of your remodel project to help you and your team stay on track at all times. 

You should also consider working on more than one project at a time. For example, if you are going to open up a wall to do electrical work, it might be worth considering putting in that set of windows.

6 - Order of Operations

Knowing what order you’re going to do things in is essential for any remodel, but especially for fuel station and food service upgrades where there are higher budgets at stake. 

For example, if you have to rip out a wall your construction team just installed to complete another part of your project, you’ll probably go over budget, delay the project, and annoy higher-ups. 

It’s vital that you nail down your order of operations to avoid carrying out construction work in an illogical order.

Thoroughly plan out what needs to happen first, at what location, and what you need to do before other things can get done.

The more organized you are here, the less delays, extra costs, and headaches you’ll have to contend with.

Feel More Confident About Your Gas Station Remodeling Project?

We hope you’ve found this article helpful as you prepare for your fuel station remodel project, and it has given you some food for thought around the many factors you need to consider before you get going.

Need help managing all the moving parts of your fuel station upgrade project? Talk to our architecture and project management experts here at KE Design. 

At KE Design, our dedicated, experienced team has the expertise needed to become your reliable, responsible, and responsive partner; helping you plan and execute groundbreaking quality designs that fuel the future for your service station or convenience store operations. 

If you're interested in working together on an upcoming fuel station upgrade project, we'd love to hear from you! See how much better it feels to work with an architecture firm that really knows the fuel industry. 

Get in touch today.