No matter how the economy is doing overall, consumers will have a never-ending need to fuel their vehicles, making gas station ownership a great business prospect when planned out correctly. There are many things to take into consideration with any kind of new building plans, but there are even more when you’re looking at a service station construction project. Here are a few of the most important things to keep in mind as you start your venture.
The Construction Company You Decide to Work With
Most people find that the key to creating a prosperous fueling facility is the team they hire to do the actual construction. With so many details to think about, you want a construction company that has years of experience, specifically in this industry, and the knowledge to guide you through each phase of the development process. A suitable company will be able to supply you with plenty of references, offer a variety of services that will keep you from having to employ a number of professionals from different places and have a good track record of being able to deliver the finished product on-time and within budget.
The Location You Choose
Just as with any other company that’s opening, location is essential to the ultimate success of a service station. The site you choose for construction should be determined by the proximity of similar facilities, rules regarding nearby residential and commercial properties and how easily customers are able to enter and exit. Gas stations often have to find ways to manage traffic congestion, and this is best to do during the initial stages of planning before finding out too late that the space you’ve selected is inconvenient for cars to access.
Staying in Compliance With Building Codes and Permits
Another thought when deciding on a company to complete your service station construction is their awareness of current building codes, regulations and permit requirements. There’s a good chance you’ll need help sorting through all the technicalities concerning these issues and making sure you are in compliance with all local, state and federal laws.
The Equipment You Invest In
Once construction is nearing its conclusion, you’ll have to start thinking about all the equipment you’ll need to satisfy your customer’s needs and expectations. Depending on the services you decide to provide, you will want to look at fuel nozzles, hoses, pumps, air compressors, car lifts, fluid management systems, etc. You may come across what you think are good deals on used equipment, however, proceed with caution because this means you can’t be sure about quality or safety and won’t have the benefit of a warranty. The best practice is to spend a little more and invest in equipment that you know is brand new, has been tested for safety and is from a trusted brand.
This type of project can be demanding, so to ensure that your service station construction is upheld to a high standard, consider each of these categories very carefully before moving on to the next step.