How to Keep Your Business Open When City Construction Is Blocking Your Storefront

If you own a retail business, chances are you’ve had to deal with construction projects at some point or another. Maybe a new building is going up next door, or maybe the city is repaving the street in front of your store. In any case, construction can be a major headache for businesses, especially if it’s blocking your storefront. If you find yourself in this situation, there are a few things you can do to make sure your business stays open and accessible.

Approach the City

Your local city government is responsible for good stewardship of public property, including sidewalks and streets. If construction is blocking your storefront, the first step is to approach the city and ask them to remedy the situation. This could involve asking the contractor to move their equipment, or it could mean getting a permit to put up a temporary sign that directs customers to your front door. In either case, it’s important to be polite and professional when dealing with the city. After all, they’re just trying to do their job. Working as a team is the best way to find a plan that preserves your business operations while allowing for important city projects to be completed.

Talk to the Contractor

If the city isn’t able to help as much as you’d like, your next step is to talk to the contractor. Explain your situation and ask them what they can do to help. In many cases, the contractor will be happy to work with you to find a solution. They may be able to move their equipment or put up signs that direct customers to alternative entry points, how to get to your door and where to access temporary parking areas. Like city officials, the contractor has a job to do, so a professional approach is always a good way to succeed in garnering their support.

Equipment Rentals

In some cases, the construction may not directly block your customers, but might still confuse or disorient them as they try to make heads or tails of the chaos. In this case, neither the city nor the contractor will take responsibility for directing traffic to your business and you’ll need to take matters into your own hands. Consider work zone equipment as a way of directing customers to your store. With signs and marking systems, you can set up a clear path that leads customers right to your door. Work zone equipment rentals are a great way to get the job done without spending a lot of money, and you can return the equipment when the construction is finished.

There’s no doubt that construction can be a major pain for businesses. But with a little bit of effort and some good negotiating skills, you’ll be able to keep your business open and accessible despite the obstacles.