Maryland RestaurantRemodeling & Construction

Northstar Commercial Construction provides restaurant remodeling, commercial kitchen renovations, and new restaurant construction throughout Maryland. Our design-build approach coordinates planning, permitting, and construction to create functional foodservice spaces that meet operational needs and applicable code requirements.

Single Source Design-build Services for all of your Food Service Requirements

At Northstar Commercial Construction, we specialize in restaurant construction in Maryland, offering complete design-build services that balance functionality, compliance, and customer experience. From kitchen flow to dining design, our team understands how to build a space that works for your staff and delights your guests.

Designing Restaurants That Work

Restaurant construction involves a complex relationship between systems, staff, and space. Kitchens must be designed to handle your full menu while allowing for safe and efficient food prep, cooking, storage, and cleaning. Learn more about the integral importance of grease traps. At the same time, your dining area must reflect your brand image and create a memorable customer experience.

Timeline of a Restaurant Buildout

Below is a timeline for a typical restaurant buildout in the DMV area. Within the context of once a contractual agreement has been signed between both tenant and landlord or leasing agent. 

Key considerations

There is a standard 6 months "free rent" period from lease start date offered by landlords and leasing agents in the DMV area.

This is not enough time to design, permit, and construct before you as the business owner must pay rent. It may be advised you request that your leasing agent provide an additional month or two of free rent; chances are that the space has been sitting vacant "rent free" for some time and another few months should not be a stumbling block to the lease negotiations.

Business Owner and Contractor Meet

It's important to establish a relationship prior to lease signature with a knowledgeable general contractor, in order to maximize the "free rent" grace period.

Lease Agreement Signature

Terms are specified, written, and signed between Tenant and Landlord and or Leasing Agent.

Drawings and Blueprint preparation

Requires a minimum of 2 to 4 weeks depending on complexity and other variables specific to the project.

Permit review

Once drawings are completed, they will be submitted to the permit authority which will review the drawings in approximately 4 to 6 weeks; often the permit reviewers require comments which will add additional time for revisions.

Permit Approval

Allows Construction to begin, and is ideally 8 to 12 weeks into the process since Lease Agreement Signature (above).

Construction of facility

Typically allows 90 days to mobilize and construct your new restaurant with code compliance, efficiency, and accuracy.

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Northstar is Built On Consistency.Trusted by Repeat Clients.

Restaurant Construction That Gets the Details Right

Restaurant projects require careful coordination of spaces, building systems, and code requirements that go beyond a typical commercial renovation. Kitchen layouts, plumbing, grease management, ventilation, and permitting can all affect how a restaurant operates and how smoothly construction progresses.

Northstar Commercial Construction has partnered with Vocelli’s Pizza on multiple locations, demonstrating the value of a consistent construction partner who understands the needs of restaurant environments. We approach each project with attention to construction quality, trade coordination, and the requirements that help a restaurant move from construction to operation.

Zipped Restaurant Photo #2 Northstar Commercial (3)

Restaurant Construction Cost

You can expect the cost of constructing a restaurant to cost from a minimum of $135/ft² to as much as $600/ft²: for designing, permitting, and constructing a restaurant in the DMV area.

Note, there are many variables involved specific to each location that make it difficult to anticipate the exact cost of constructing a restaurant.

Variables that affect construction costs

There are numerous variables that affect the construction cost of restaurant which include whether or not there are any amenities from previous uses that can contribute to the new build out. Below are just a few:

Utility service
Utility availability and access
HVAC systems
Grease retention devices
Grease trap requirements
Fire and Sprinkler modifications

Cost Distribution of 1st generation Restaurant

General Conditions

design, permitting, supervision. Contractor soft cost (insurance, OH, etc.)
10 %

Walls and Ceilings

15 %

Finishes

includes painting, flooring, and millwork. (not including furnishings)
8 %

Plumbing

presuming an existing interior grease trap.
17 %

Electrical Work

16 %

HVAC

15 %

Exhaust Hood Systems

an essential and integral part of a restaurant
19 %

Experts in Health & Safety Compliance

Northstar has the expertise to design and build restaurants that meet strict Maryland Health Department regulations (COMAR 10.15.03) and comply with HACCP, S.O.P., and F.O.G. requirements. Our knowledge ensures your facility operates smoothly while staying fully compliant with state and local codes.

Contact us to Discuss your Project

If you are considering a commercial renovation or the construction of a new facility, call Northstar Commercial Construction. We do not charge for our initial consultations, as we understand that your money and time are valuable and that you need to receive value for the expenditure of both.

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