Choosing an Architect and writing a business plan.?

I am currently trying to raise capital for a new retail shop I am opening, and need to write a business plan for banks and potential investors. However, the fixtures and construction of the new store are going to be the biggest cost, and I don't know how to estimate it. I am going to lease a space but will need to buy new fixtures for the store. Are architects willing to consult for this type of thing? How much does it cost? I am starting a consumer electronics store and need about 10000sq ft of space or more, with 8000 showroom and 2000 warehouse. I know there are a wide range of costs and options invovled, but any advice or estimate will be well received.

If you need to come to yahoo to ask for business advice then perhaps you need to do a lot more research than what you've already done.

A lot of your question depends on the existing space you are interested to use for the store.

If the store is a dump with no HVAC and electrical, then your expensive will rise a good 30% on top of all the fixtures and paint and flooring, but if the store used to be a Best Buy with everything in it, then you obviously have nothing to worry about.

It also depends on how high end you want your store to be, do you want custom shelving or standard off the rack stuff? do you want expensive lighting or just flourescent? what kind of flooring do you want? All of these will vary your cost greatly.

To cover all ballparks, $100/square foot will get your store looking like a Circuit City or better, or 1/2 that if you go bare bones and spend your weekends painting the walls.

Lastly, any amount you think you'll need, double it when you ask for investment. Something will always go wrong and you'll need the money.

Also, an architect will be willing to consult on everything including what tie matches your pants as long as he or she gets paid, but look for one with relevant retail experience, it is very specialized and a residential architect cannot tell you what fixture to use in a store to save his life.

I am an architecture student myself! actually it is gonna cost you a fortune but then the results are gonna be really good specially if you find the right architect!

try this for the architect finding part:
www.architecture.com

best of luck!http://www.architecture.com/go/Architecture/Using/Finding_291.htmlhttp://www.architecture.com/go/Architect...

Find out if store fixture suppliers offer any architiectural support - if they do it should be cheaper.