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Restaurant Construction
Kingston & Eastern Ontario
FOH renovations, full dining fit-outs, and second-generation space takeovers. We build to your opening date — not the other way around.
What's Included
Exactly what DRW
delivers
- Pre-project site review and concept walkthrough
- Framing for layout changes and service zones
- Commercial flooring — tile, LVT, polished concrete prep
- Painting and decorative finish work
- Lighting coordination and trim-out
- Washroom renovation where in scope
- Demolition and strip-out of existing finishes
- Drywall, suspended ceilings, and acoustic work
- Wall finishes and feature treatments
- Low-voltage wiring — POS, sound, cameras, AV displays
- Bar and millwork installation coordination
- Phased work to support soft-open targets
Best Fit For
Who this is built for
Restaurant operators renovating a dining room or full FOH. Owners taking over a second-generation space and updating it for a new concept. Hospitality groups fitting out a new location. Bar, café, and fast-casual operators who need a build-out partner that understands opening timelines.
How It Works
How the project moves
Concept Walkthrough
Review concept, existing conditions, opening timeline, and landlord or health authority requirements.
Scope & Schedule
Written scope with phasing plan. FOH/BOH coordination points and rough-in requirements clearly flagged.
Construction Phase
Demo, framing, rough-ins, ceiling, walls, flooring, and low-voltage sequenced to meet your opening window.
Final Finish & Handoff
Lighting, fixtures, millwork, final clean, and deficiency walkthrough before final inspections.
Common Questions
What clients usually ask
Does DRW build the commercial kitchen?
Kitchen equipment, hood installation, and mechanical are specialist trades. DRW handles FOH renovation and coordinates BOH rough-in points with your kitchen contractor.
How much does a restaurant renovation cost in Ontario?
FOH refresh: $90–$160/sq ft. Full dining renovation: $150–$270/sq ft. Complete fit-out from shell: $220–$420/sq ft. Medium–high Ontario market rates including labour, materials, and permit allowance.
Can you work in phases for a soft opening?
Yes. We phase work so FOH can open while secondary work continues in a contained zone — bar buildout, washrooms, or secondary dining areas completed after soft open.
What permits are required for a restaurant renovation?
A building permit is required for most restaurant renovation work. Change-of-use applications may apply if switching from a different use. Health unit approvals are a separate process the operator manages.
All Services
Start with an estimate
Tell us your concept, FOH size, and opening date. We’ll respond with a planning range and phase schedule.
Related Services
Why DRW
Why restaurant
operators choose DRW
01
Opening-Date Focused
Restaurant openings don’t move easily. DRW builds to your opening date and phases work around your soft-open window — from day one
02
FOH vs BOH Awareness
Front-of-house is our primary scope. We coordinate with kitchen equipment suppliers without taking on work outside our competency.
03
POS & AV Wiring
Point-of-sale, sound systems, cameras, and display screens wired as part of our restaurant scope — not a separate trade call.
04
Health Code Construction
Wall and floor junctions, washable surfaces, and cove base in food-adjacent areas — built with the health inspection in mind.
05
Acoustic Consideration
Ceiling and wall finish options that affect noise levels flagged during design — not after opening night complaints start.
06
Second-Gen Experience
We assess, scope, and demo selectively in existing restaurant spaces — keeping what’s usable, replacing what isn’t.
Cost Estimator
Restaurant renovation cost estimator
Ontario medium–high market rates. FOH construction costs broken out by labour, materials, low-voltage, permits, and planning.
Restaurant Construction Estimator
FOH construction costs. Kitchen equipment, MEP, and health unit fees are separate — flagged in scope notes below.
Estimated FOH Project Range
$0 – $0
$ per sq ft · Ontario medium–high
Scope
—
Ready to talk opening dates?
Restaurant builds are timeline-sensitive. A concept walkthrough lets us confirm phasing, flag BOH coordination points, and give you a firm written estimate tied to your opening date.
FOH construction costs only. Kitchen equipment, mechanical, plumbing, and licensed electrical are not included — budget these separately with specialist trades. Health unit fees and change-of-use application costs vary by municipality. Ontario medium–high market rates 2024–2025. Planning purposes only — not a quote or contract.
Ready to plan your opening?
Tell us your concept, FOH size, and target opening date. We’ll respond with a phase plan and cost range within one business day.