General Contractor / Architect / Owner
Indoor shooting ranges have unique design considerations. The video below is an introduction to several of the issues often overlooked or misunderstood when designing a shooting range. The key to successfully building a shooting range is not just surviving the process of reaching grand opening. Managing and cooridnating your team of designers, contractors, subcontractors, vendors improves your chances of success with equity partners, construction loan (underwriting), permitting with local and state authorities, etc.
For more information, to save time and money ask about the +200 item Shooting Range Design Build Checklist we have developed over the past several years of establishing shooting range brands throughout the US; that address issues by trade and by individual uses (range bays, classrooms, retail, back office, etc) with the floor plan. We've learned and documented the hard lessons that cause delays and rip through contingency budgets.
This effort directly impacts ones ability to secure funding from not only investors, but from a lender for an acquisition and development loan that includes all equipment costs and working capital for an indoor shooting range.
FAQ: Where to Start
Insights and truths about how and where to start the process of establishing an indoor shooting range. It's likely there's not already a shooting range in your market because someone tried, or is trying, and doesn't understand how to build one.
How to most people get it wrong? They spend time and money on:
- Chasing real estate
- Hiring an architect
- Talking with prospective investors (these should be max 5 minute conversations)
- Finishing research and finalizing shooting range equipment decisions
- Coming up with a logo
The most effective way to build a range is to know how much your indoor shooting range vision is going to cost, how many square feet, how much property you'll need, who is your addressable market, how are you positioned amongst your competitiors (other ranges are not your only form of competition), etc.
The Range Development Services proven strategies, checklists and processes will dramatically elminiate risk and create more certainty!
Discovery Phase involves:
Assessment: Lengthy Q&A to ensure the proforma and your vision are in sync with realities.
Comms: Regular / recurring phone project meeting calls
The Science: Demographic reports used to analyze and justify the vision / proforma
Design:
Preliminary schematic floor plan
Review existing real shooting range floor plans
Real Estate: Preliminary assessment of zoning regs for the targeted locations and an evaluation of available real estate (however, we don't engage with serious conversations until the Discovery Phase is complete to ensure clarity going forward!).
ROI: Proforma (Cost to Establish budget, revenue and opex (monthly for years 1-3) on a detailed basis including avg price, margin, quantity sold through the ramp-up to stabilization, cost of debt, equity / ROI, payroll, etc.
There's no need, at this point, to spend a lot of time on shooting range ballistic or indoor range HVAC equipment discussions / decisions...doing would be similar to deciding on the wheels/tires on a vehicle you want to build before determining whether you're building a baja truck or a track car. They are a must have, ultimately, but otherwise not a productive way to invest your time. I'll guide you through the good / bad, better and best for your shooting range vision so that you're empowered with my insights for more confident negotiations (which I will serve as point on) and decision making!
It sounds like a need / real opportunity! Let me know of additional questions that arise.
Here's more info on me / my background
Here's a list of many of the range brands I've guided through the launch process. One interesting note: Several gone on to own-operate multiple locations. What will not be obvious is that the owners of Frontier Justice bundled and sold in an exit to a VC firm, their locations in 2023.