Questions about reconstructing a restaurant

[molly_molly]

Hey,

I'm planning to open a restaurant in Finland. But I heard before a restaurant starting to work, I'll have to get some permissions and also some people from the specific authorities (eg. the city government) to check if the premise is ok to be a restaurant (eg. the ventilation and the kitchen is up to the standard).

Now I have found a commercial premise, but it was not used as a restaurant and doesn't have the kitchen or the eligible ventilation system. So I contacted a construction team who could do the reconstruction, they said they could apply for the reconstruction permission from the city government. But how could I make sure that after the renovation, the facilities of the premise would be eligible for being a restaurant? Should I pay them after having the authorities checked?

I'm very much confused with these procedures. Does anybody here know any details? Thanks a lot.

[Hämeen Hitain]

Contact the city first, before making any contract with a construction Company.

Don't know where you are, In Helsinki The City of Helsinki Environment Centre

http://www.hel.fi/www/helsinki/en/admin ... on?id=2766

[molly_molly]

Contact the city first, before making any contract with a construction Company.

Don't know where you are, In Helsinki The City of Helsinki Environment Centre

http://www.hel.fi/www/helsinki/en/admin ... on?id=2766

Thank you. I'm in Jkl. I'v sent the city of Jkl an email, they said I need to find a HVAC engineer and ask him/her to help with the ventilation design and take contact with the city about the project. And this construction team that I have contacted said they would do all the paper works and the communications with the Jkl city and with the building which the premise is in as well. But how could I be guaranteed about these? I mean, should I make some conditions in the contract? like if this construction work will not be up to the standard to be a restaurant, then I would got compensate or this contract would be invalid?

[rinso]

If you are unaware of all the details for a restaurant, you should hire an expert to advice you and to oversee the work of the construction company.
There are many rules involved for a restaurant (construction safety, fire safety, food safety, alko regulations, ... and they can have constructional consequences) The contractor will be aware of many of these and take care of them. But if a restaurant is new to him, he might overlook some.

[Pursuivant]

Also, does the zoning/house association allow a restaurant on the premises?

[molly_molly]

If you are unaware of all the details for a restaurant, you should hire an expert to advice you and to oversee the work of the construction company.
There are many rules involved for a restaurant (construction safety, fire safety, food safety, alko regulations, ... and they can have constructional consequences) The contractor will be aware of many of these and take care of them. But if a restaurant is new to him, he might overlook some.

Hey, thanks for the advice. Do you know where I could find an expert to do these?

[molly_molly]

Also, does the zoning/house association allow a restaurant on the premises?

Thanks for the reminding. I think it's allowed to be a restaurant, it's in the city centre.

[betelgeuse]

Also, does the zoning/house association allow a restaurant on the premises?

Thanks for the reminding. I think it's allowed to be a restaurant, it's in the city centre.

Being in the city center does not automatically mean zoning allows a restaurant. Zoning goes to the level of individual lots.

[molly_molly]

Also, does the zoning/house association allow a restaurant on the premises?

Thanks for the reminding. I think it's allowed to be a restaurant, it's in the city centre.

Being in the city center does not automatically mean zoning allows a restaurant. Zoning goes to the level of individual lots.

Oh, I didn't know it. Do you know from where I could find the zoning information of JKL city? Thanks.

[betelgeuse]

Do you know from where I could find the zoning information of JKL city?

http://kartta.jkl.fi/IMS/en/Map

[molly_molly]

Do you know from where I could find the zoning information of JKL city?

http://kartta.jkl.fi/IMS/en/Map

Thanks a lot!

[Pursuivant]

Also if its in a house, if the neighbours allow it. You need to check with the isännöitsijä and the owner what is the designation.

[molly_molly]

Also if its in a house, if the neighbours allow it. You need to check with the isännöitsijä and the owner what is the designation.

Ok, I will. Thanks for reminding.

[Upphew]

Also, does the zoning/house association allow a restaurant on the premises?

Thanks for the reminding. I think it's allowed to be a restaurant, it's in the city centre.

You don't get the building permit nor the company you hire. The house association does. It can and most likely will give you the power of attorney to handle the building permit stuff. As the place you have looked at hasn't been used as a restaurant you'll need (or rather the house association needs) permit for conversion. With conversion there will be new standards for ventilation, toilets, fire escapes, soundproofing etc.

[molly_molly]

Also, does the zoning/house association allow a restaurant on the premises?

Thanks for the reminding. I think it's allowed to be a restaurant, it's in the city centre.

You don't get the building permit nor the company you hire. The house association does. It can and most likely will give you the power of attorney to handle the building permit stuff. As the place you have looked at hasn't been used as a restaurant you'll need (or rather the house association needs) permit for conversion. With conversion there will be new standards for ventilation, toilets, fire escapes, soundproofing etc.

Hey, thanks for the information. I think I have to talk with construction team again, cuz they said they'll handle all the permissions, which doesn't seem good.