Commercial canopies are so versatile, they’re an ideal addition for any type of enterprise. You’re smart to add canopies, whether you’re responsible for a retail store, restaurant, medical center, hotel or country club. Commercial canopies look great whether your place is tiny or takes up a full block and whether you’re located uptown, downtown or in a small town.
But you want to make sound decisions about your commercial canopies to get the best return on your investment. What should you do? Or not do? First, let’s look at some common mistakes business owners make when creating commercial canopies.
Don’t focus on finding the cheapest commercial canopies as your only goal.
Total cost of ownership should be your goal. You’re investing in commercial canopies because you want to improve the appearance and/or performance of your business exterior spaces. That means you should expect your canopies to last for years without giving you any trouble.
Of course you have a budget, but this is one of those times when you’ll get what you pay for. Thinking long-term will help you make the most cost-effective decisions.
Don’t think you’ll “save” with DIY installation, either.
You could risk all your design and fabrication time and effort if you wind up with faulty installation. Your commercial canopies could be more susceptible to component failure or falling, and that could cost you anywhere from a few annoying repairs to a personal injury lawsuit.
Who needs all that? Forget the fact that you’re handy with tools or your friend Joe’s brother-in-law is unemployed and needs the work. You have a business to run, and you want commercial canopies that give you confidence and peace of mind.
Don’t create a design that clashes.
Commercial canopies tell people who you are as a business and make it easy to find your location and your entrance. Of course you want to stand out among the other businesses, but you also want to fit in to the neighborhood. Commercial canopies that promote your brand in a professional way will do more for your business than a flashy-but-irrelevant design.
Don’t approve your design without knowing how it will look once it’s installed.
Once your commercial canopies have been constructed, it will be expensive and time consuming to make changes. Instead, ask to see color renderings or even auto-CAD drawings before you approve any designs. That way the production process and installation can move forward quickly and on budget, and you’ll be thrilled with the results.
With all that in mind, here are some tips for getting your commercial canopies right.
Know what you want to accomplish.
Start with your goal(s) in mind so you can address every functional and aesthetic desire right from the start. Commercial canopies can dress up your exterior, highlight your entrance, market your business 24/7, provide shelter for pedestrians, protect and cool your interior and help you create outdoor seating.
Consider your location.
Year-round weather, the busy-ness of street and pedestrian traffic around your business and other factors can all affect which physical characteristics will be best for your commercial canopies. If you’re in a defined neighborhood, you may be required to maintain a certain “look.” And your building’s age and construction can determine how your canopies are installed to ensure they remain safe and secure.
Review the rules with your awning company.
Municipal regulations apply to everyone. But if you’re a franchisee, you’ll also need to meet franchise-specific requirements for designing your commercial canopies. Knowing your parameters up front will help you make smart decisions you know will be acceptable as well as durable and attractive.
Get professional help.
A locally knowledgeable, well-established company experienced in designing and fabricating commercial canopies is a great place to start. They can give you reliable, customized advice about every aspect of your project. You’ll be better results, faster.
Don’t wait any longer to give them a call.
