Building a coffee cart from scratch (pt 4- final touches!)

Building a coffee cart from scratch (pt 4- final touches!)

So here's an update on our list from part 3:

Things we still need to do:

  • Custom build the door flap where customers will be served ✅
  • Fit the flashings to the walls and roof ✅
  • Order a side entry door ❌ - build one from scratch because they are ridiculously expensive to buy ✅
  • Electrical fit out (wiring ✅ , sockets✅ , lights✅ fuse box, 32a inlet✅ ) and get an ewof ✅
  • Line internally ✅
  • Internal fit out- install bench✅ install equipment✅  install plumbing✅
  • Take the trailer for a wof✅
  • Install signage✅
  • Probably many other things that I have forgotten about but I will stop the list here before my anxiety level reaches over 9000 ✅

In summary: We are done!

Here's how the rest of the build went:

For starters, we got a few quotes for the side entry PA doors and then we quickly realised how ridiculously expensive they are ($800-$1700 for a side door! ☠️) and decided we'd be better off making our own so we added that to our ever growing list of things to do and then we skived off and went to Australia for a much needed break post fire.

When we got back from Australia, we had yet another mad push to get stuff done as the deadline for our food verification inspected rolled around. 

We had 5 days between getting home and needing to have the cart in a state where it was ready to drive the 35km into Hamilton for the inspection, so we pulled a few late nights (with the help of some great friends) and managed to get it done.

The food verification went down without a hitch and we passed with flying colours (unsurprisingly since Ange rolled in with an organised and itemised folder filled with paperwork, SOPs, training records etc etc- she's good like that)

After that, the pressure eased up slightly and we carried on ticking off things from the to-do list.

We booked in the sparky to do the electrical fit-out and they did an fantastic job! they were quick, tidy and very reasonably priced (shout out to Peet and Ian at Sparktrician)

Next we moved onto equipment installation. Having worked in the industry for years and installing countless coffee machines into coffee carts and cafes, I had a good idea of what works in terms of layout and what doesn't, so when it came time for fit-out, I knew what I wanted and it has worked out great! We have created a really practical space where two people can work together comfortably everyday.

Here's a progress video:

After that video was created, we got our friend Jean at Sign Logic to whip us up some epic signage.

We also ordered the last few flashings from Ezy Flash who turned them around with lightening speed, the last 4 flashings were ordered at 7.30am and were ready for pick up at 8.07am the same day! 

We're now up and running and have been loving serving coffees to our community! we have been trading for 1.5 weeks and we have already built up a great network of regular customers and we couldn't be happier.

We (mostly Guy) put A LOT of hard work into our cart and it has come out great. 

If you are thinking about starting your own cart (or cafe) pop over to 699 River Rd, Hamilton (weekdays, 7am-11.30am) to try our coffee and have a yarn, we will be happy to share our knowledge with you. -Heather

 

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