The importance of the proper placement of furniture and other amenities in the office cannot be over-emphasized. The ceilings have to be well placed, the buildings well partitioned, and the furnishings that complement the overall look of the office installed. It is the sole reason why a fit-out is a vital aspect of the construction process.
The layout of a workplace determines employee productivity. It also goes a long way in ensuring the safety of employees.
In this article, we are going to look at the tips every employer should follow to ensure their commercial fit out is a success.
Let us delve into specifics.
During construction, apart from the project owner, there are other people involved who are key players in the success of the project. The contractor, architect, project manager, and workers are an instrumental part of the whole process. As such, before the commencement of the commercial fit-out, there is a need to gather the whole team and create a detailed brief on everything that is going to happen.
Once you have noted down all the projects expected come up with a budget. The last thing you want is to experience financial constraints in the middle of construction. To minimize the chances of this happening, you need to talk to vendors, come up with a budget based on their prices, then set aside an extra 10% of the total cost to cater for miscellaneous and other unprecedented expenses.
Also, the brief should contain a time estimate for all executions, with a proposed commencement and completion date.
- Find a reputable fit-out contractor and get authorization
Before the commencement of construction projects, you need to get authorization from the relevant authorities. You need to understand whether your project needs any regulatory approvals, among other things. To do this, you need to first hire the services of a reputable fit-out contractor.
Finding a contractor who understands the intricacies of fit-outs is not a walk in the park. Considering that commercial fit-outs are essential to creating the ideal workplace environment, make sure you hire one that is best suited for you. To do that, you need to do things such as browse the internet or ask for referrals.
After narrowing your potential candidates to at least 3, conduct interviews. Make sure you also look at the company’s overall reputation and professionalism before settling for ‘the one’. Make sure you take a keen look at their portfolio and make sure their provision of service appeals to you.
The development stage is where you get to see your paper designs turn into reality; it is where constructions begin. As you restructure the office, make sure you do so in a way that improves efficiency in the workplace. Avoid overcrowding and make sure all amenities are easily accessible.
Also, as you are building and you see the design come to life, you might have queries, concerns, or ideas on the ongoing project. Lucky for you, this is the right time to address such issues. Have a sit down with the team and ask relevant questions. Make sure you are comfortable with the developments in one phase before moving on to the next. It is the only way to ensure the projects are done satisfactorily.
So, how do you ensure that you achieve your desired results?
Office fit-outs are not only about rearranging and creating ample space in the workplace. It is also about achieving your desired results.
For that to happen, you need to do the following:-
It is no secret; commercial fit-outs can be expensive. So, to minimize the likelihood of undergoing another fit-in in a few years, plan for the future. In as much as some designs may be trendy, they may not be of much use in the future due to a variety of reasons.
For starters, businesses may grow in the future, completely disrupting company processes. If your intended design can accommodate any foreseeable changes in the future, well and good. Otherwise, you may need to rethink the whole design.
Change is inevitable and it is like rest. The excitement of changing the layout of your office might cause some people to go overboard with the refurbishment. However, remember to maintain your brand’s identity.
Brand identity is one of the most vital aspects of a business. It is what consumers identify with. So, at the end of the construction project, make sure the final layout reflects your company’s vision.
- Consider the needs of your employees
Good employees are a company’s invaluable asset. Without them, a paralysis of core business processes is inevitable. As such, considering their needs is necessary.
Before settling on a plan, get to know employee activities and where they spend most of their time. Currently, many businesses are embracing scenarios where employees work remotely. Considering this shift in the way work processes are done, get to know how much time they spend on their desks and other areas in the workplace. Doing so will give you a rough idea of how much room you should allocate for board rooms, storage, and workstations.
- Consider incorporating current office design trends
The world is in constant evolution and the interior design industry is not left behind. Thanks to the need to improve the workplace environment, various design trends emerge every day.
One of the most popular trends in 2020 is the open office plan. However, before you consider incorporating it into your plan, make sure it provides the kind of functionality you are yearning for. Also, you need to consider the nature of the working relationships in the office. If you are more of a collaborative team, have ample space where employees can work together. Otherwise, if the company allows employees to work remotely, you can scale up on the spacing.
Some of the things you can consider investing in include moving and standing desks. Additionally, if space is an issue, you can have multipurpose rooms and other shared spaces.
All through the construction project, you should always think about sustainability. Considering that energy consumption is one of the things that causes energy levels to skyrocket, you can think about investing in solar technology. Solar can help in office lighting and heating water. If you are producing enough energy, the company can think about selling the excess energy back to the grid. Not only will it reduce the overall monthly electricity bills, but the business will also receive gains from selling the energy.
Also, the company can decide to go paperless. Paper comes from trees and the cutting down of trees is detrimental to the environment. By going paperless, you not only save a lot of trees but also conserve the environment.
Conclusion
An office fit-out is nothing to be taken lightly. It is a huge investment that needs to be handled with utmost care.
As an individual willing to take this crucial step, above all, you need to hire the services of a reputable commercial fit-out contractor. Thoroughly review their portfolio to ensure what you want to achieve is in line with their area of expertise. Preferably, they should be working with a reputable construction company that is known for its prowess in the field. Also, do not forget to ask for past clients, and do not stop at that. Call them and ask for their honest reviews.
Last but not least, do a financial background check on the fit-out construction company you are looking to hire. That way, you can be sure as to whether or not they will be able to complete the project well.
