Opening a restaurant is one of the most complex construction projects in the commercial world. Between lease negotiations, permits, kitchen design, health inspections, and liquor licensing, there are dozens of moving pieces that all need to come together on time.
At Buildup Contracting, we've guided restaurant owners across Toronto and the GTA through this process from start to finish. Here's the step-by-step checklist we use to keep every project on track.
Before you sign, get a preliminary build-out estimate from an experienced restaurant contractor. This helps you negotiate a realistic Tenant Improvement (TI) allowance and ensures the space is actually suitable for a restaurant — not every commercial unit can support the plumbing, electrical, and ventilation requirements.
Key things to check: Is there adequate electrical capacity (200-400 amps)? Is there a gas line available? Can the plumbing support grease interceptors and commercial kitchen drainage? Are there existing HVAC penetrations for kitchen exhaust?
You'll need a restaurant contractor experienced in commercial kitchen build-outs, an architect for layout and construction drawings, a mechanical engineer for kitchen exhaust and HVAC design, and an interior designer (optional, but valuable for the dining room). Choose a contractor who specializes in restaurants — the mechanical and code requirements are different from general commercial construction.
Your kitchen layout drives everything else. Work with your chef or kitchen consultant to finalize the equipment list and workflow, then let your architect and engineer design around it. The dining room layout should balance seating capacity with comfort and accessibility (AODA compliance).
Submit building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and fire safety applications simultaneously. In the GTA, this typically takes 15-30 business days for review. Your contractor should handle this entire process.
Submit your kitchen plans to Toronto Public Health (or your regional health unit) for review. They'll verify food safety compliance, workflow, equipment placement, and finish materials. Do this in parallel with your building permit application.
AGCO applications take 6-12 weeks. Apply as early as possible — you don't need construction to be complete, but your floor plan should show the proposed service area.
Strip out existing finishes, remove unwanted walls, and prepare the space for new construction. This is when hidden conditions (old wiring, asbestos, plumbing issues) typically surface. A good contractor has built contingency into the schedule for exactly this.
Install framing, run electrical, plumbing, gas lines, HVAC ductwork, and fire suppression. Each trade requires inspection before walls can be closed. This phase requires careful coordination to keep trades moving without conflicts.
Install exhaust hoods, make-up air, kitchen equipment, and front-of-house finishes. Order equipment early — lead times for commercial kitchen equipment can be 4-8 weeks. Dining room finishes (flooring, lighting, millwork) happen in parallel.
Building inspection, plumbing inspection, electrical inspection, fire inspection, and health inspection must all pass before you can open. Your contractor coordinates all of these and addresses any deficiencies immediately.
Walk through the entire space with your contractor. Document anything that needs correction or completion. A professional contractor completes the punch list within days, not weeks.
With all inspections passed and your occupancy permit in hand, you're ready for a soft opening. Use the first week to test your kitchen workflow with real service before your grand opening.
A typical restaurant build-out in the GTA takes 3-6 months from lease signing to opening, depending on the size and complexity of the project. The biggest variables are permit timelines and equipment lead times — both of which can be managed with early planning.
Buildup Contracting manages restaurant build-outs from pre-construction planning through opening day. We handle permits, coordinate trades, manage the budget, and keep your project on schedule.
Whether you're opening your first restaurant or your tenth location, we can help. Get a free estimate or call us at 647-477-7999 to discuss your project.
Learn more about our restaurant construction services or read our complete guide to restaurant construction in Toronto and the GTA.