Schools
Cafeteria Renovation Planning for Schools
Survey existing services and finishes before committing to a demolition or reuse plan. Identify what can stay and where hidden work may surface.
Explore the ideas
Walkthrough checklist
- Record existing walls, openings, services and damage, then verify uncertain items with the appropriate trade.
- Separate required repairs from optional replacements so quotes show where the budget goes.
- Agree which access, isolation, removal and protection steps are needed before work starts.
Worked example
Removing a partition between dining and living rooms may expose old flooring and leave switches on a wall that disappears.
Survey floor continuity, wall construction, and electrical routes before fixing the new layout. Mark retained finishes and ask the relevant trades to price repair and service changes separately.
How to test it
Walk through the marked-up plan with the installer and record conditions that would change scope or cost.
Apply it to this space
- Layout
- Place queue, serving, seating, and tray return in a one-way sequence with separate entry and exit movement where possible.
- Detail
- Choose easy-clean tables and floors, with light that makes food and labels clear without glare.
- Trade-off
- A single queue is easier to supervise but can become slow at busy transitions.
- Simulate the queue with a full class group
- Check tray return does not cross incoming diners
The Elixir portfolio
Details worth a closer look
