Retail Construction Bidding: Complete Contractor Guide 2025
Win retail construction and tenant improvement contracts. Learn about brand standards, rollout programs, fast-track construction, and how to bid on national retailer buildouts, shopping center projects, and restaurant construction.
Retail Construction Market
Retail Construction Quick Facts
Annual Market:
$50B+
US retail construction
TI Average:
$75-150/SF
Tenant improvements
QSR Buildout:
$500K-1.5M
Fast food/casual
Schedule:
6-12 weeks
Typical TI projects
Retail construction encompasses a wide range of project types from national brand rollouts to shopping center development. Success requires understanding brand standards, fast-track delivery, and the unique challenges of working in occupied retail environments.
National Retailers
Brand rollouts for retailers like Target, Walmart, CVS, and specialty stores. Standardized designs with regional variations.
Restaurants
QSR, fast casual, and full-service restaurants. Complex MEP with commercial kitchens. Often franchisee-driven.
Shopping Centers
New development, renovation, and tenant improvements. Mall and strip center work. Landlord and tenant scopes.
Retail Project Types
Scope Elements
- • Demising walls and storefronts
- • Interior partitions and ceilings
- • Flooring and finishes
- • MEP distribution
- • Fixtures and equipment
Key Considerations
- • Landlord work letter coordination
- • Mall/center design criteria
- • After-hours work requirements
- • Grand opening deadlines
- • Permit and inspection timing
Project Types
- • Ground-up freestanding
- • End-cap buildouts
- • Inline tenant spaces
- • Drive-thru conversions
- • Remodels and refreshes
Specialty Systems
- • Commercial kitchen equipment
- • Hood and exhaust systems
- • Walk-in coolers/freezers
- • Grease interceptors
- • Drive-thru systems
Project Types
- • Supermarket new construction
- • Store remodels
- • Dark store conversions
- • Distribution centers
- • Micro-fulfillment
Critical Systems
- • Refrigeration systems
- • Deli/bakery kitchens
- • Produce misting
- • Checkout systems
- • Energy management
Typical Retailers
- • Discount stores (Target, Walmart)
- • Home improvement (Home Depot, Lowe's)
- • Warehouse clubs (Costco, Sam's)
- • Sporting goods
- • Electronics
Scale
- • 50,000-200,000+ SF
- • High-bay clear spans
- • Large parking fields
- • Loading dock facilities
- • Site work intensive
Key Construction Considerations
National retailers have strict brand standards that must be followed precisely. Deviations can result in rejection and rework.
Design Elements
- • Specific color palettes (PMS colors)
- • Approved materials and finishes
- • Fixture specifications
- • Signage requirements
- • Lighting levels and fixtures
Compliance
- • Prototype drawings
- • Approved vendor lists
- • Mock-up requirements
- • Brand inspections
- • Photo documentation
Schedule Drivers
- • Grand opening commitments
- • Seasonal timing (back-to-school, holidays)
- • Lease commencement
- • Marketing coordination
- • Inventory delivery
Strategies
- • Pre-procurement of long-lead items
- • Overlapping trades
- • Extended hours/weekend work
- • Prefabrication
- • Dedicated crews
Mall Requirements
- • After-hours deliveries
- • Dust barriers
- • Noise restrictions
- • Common area protection
- • Insurance certificates
Remodel Phasing
- • Maintain operations
- • Customer safety
- • Temporary barriers
- • Staged completions
- • Night work
Strip Centers
- • Adjacent tenant coordination
- • Shared utility shutdowns
- • Parking considerations
- • Signage approvals
- • HOA requirements
National Rollout Programs
National retailers often have ongoing construction programs building 50-500+ locations annually. Being part of these programs provides steady work.
Qualification
Complete prequalification process, demonstrate brand experience, and establish regional coverage areas.
Master Agreement
Execute master service agreement establishing rates, terms, and conditions for multiple projects.
Project Awards
Receive project assignments within your territory. Often budgeted pricing with limited negotiation.
Performance Tracking
Scorecard system tracks schedule, quality, and cost performance. Good performers get more work.
Major Rollout Programs
Retailers
- • Dollar General, Dollar Tree
- • Walgreens, CVS
- • AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile
- • Banks (Chase, Bank of America)
- • Fitness (Planet Fitness, LA Fitness)
Restaurants
- • McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's
- • Starbucks, Dunkin'
- • Chipotle, Chick-fil-A
- • Darden (Olive Garden, LongHorn)
- • Yum! Brands (Taco Bell, KFC)
Finding Retail Projects
National Account Programs
Contact retailer construction departments directly. Apply to vendor/contractor qualification programs.
Program Managers
Jones Lang LaSalle, CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield manage construction programs for retailers. Build relationships.
Franchisees
Individual franchise owners often select their own contractors. Network with local franchise groups.
Commercial Brokers
Retail leasing brokers often connect tenants with contractors. Build referral relationships.
Winning Retail Bids
Brand Experience
Document completed projects for specific brands. Understanding of prototype requirements.
Geographic Coverage
Demonstrate regional capability for rollout programs. Self-perform capacity in target markets.
Schedule Performance
Track record of on-time completions. Ability to hit grand opening dates is critical.
Technology
Construction management software, photo documentation, and reporting capabilities expected by national accounts.
- Not following brand standards exactly - colors, materials, fixtures
- Underestimating permitting time in different jurisdictions
- Missing landlord work letter coordination
- Equipment lead times (kitchen equipment, specialty fixtures)
- Not accounting for mall/center work rules and restrictions
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