Gas station construction and remodels.

What goes into a new station

A gas station is three projects on one lot: the underground fuel system, the canopy over the pumps, and the store. The store is a small retail building with a big load of coolers and food equipment. The canopy is a steel structure on deep foundations, with lighting and the fuel dispensers under it. And the site is paved with heavy concrete for tanker trucks, with drainage designed for a fuel site.

All three share the same lot and the same schedule, and most of the underground has to be in before the slab and drives are poured, so the order of work is planned in detail up front.

Tanks and the state

Underground storage tanks are regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The agency asks to be notified at least 30 days before tank and pipe installation begins (TCEQ construction notification), and the tanks themselves are installed by contractors the agency licenses for that work. That 30 days sits near the start of the schedule, so it is filed early.

Canopies

The canopy is what customers see from the road. Its steel columns sit on drilled foundations sized for wind, the frame and deck are set by crane and lift, and the fascia, lighting and brand panels go on last. Canopy lighting has to be bright under the deck without spilling onto neighbors, which many cities check.

On a remodel, a new canopy fascia and LED lights are one of the fastest ways to make an older station look new.

The store inside

A convenience store is built around its cooler wall. The walk-in boxes and glass doors are ordered early, the slab and electrical are laid out for them, and the shelving, counters, beverage and food areas follow. Our photos show what that looks like finished: rows of cooler doors, a checkout counter with a stone top, a beverage counter and a prep area.