When considering whether your business needs a new office design or refurbishment there are many questions you need to ask yourself, such as does my current office space meet my needs? How much will an office fit-out cost? What are the benefits of a refurbishment?
Many businesses find themselves at an impasse when they have a lease break or renewal, and they may be deciding if moving to a new area will improve access to clients or allow them to enter new markets. We’ll take you through key considerations you need to think about to help you decide whether you need an office fit-out or refurbishment.
Assess your current workspace
Firstly, you need to conduct an office audit to see whether you need additional space and/or furniture, if your technology needs updating and if your lighting is sufficient. This is a great time to get your employees involved and see what they think of your current space.
Is your office open plan and do your employees struggle with noise? A great solution to this is adding acoustic elements or quiet spaces to your existing office.
Look at whether the current layout of your workspace meets your needs and is easy to navigate, perhaps a new design will improve health and wellbeing and job satisfaction. Asses what works well and what areas need further attention.
You may be still unsure as to what the difference between an office fit-out and refurbishment is; an office fit-out is best described as making internal structural changes to a new workspace, whereas a refurbishment involves making design changes to an existing workspace that requires modernisation.
Develop your goals and objectives
Defining your goals will help you decide whether an office fit-out or refurb is the best way forward for your business. If you have plans to expand your team and are looking for a bigger office or a way to make the most of your current space, then an office fit-out may be what you need. If you are struggling with staff retention and need to refresh your office décor or furniture, then a refurbishment project will be your best option.
There are many benefits to refurbishing an office, including, improved employee productivity, collaboration and wellbeing.
The upgrades are not limited to just your office space, they also extend to your staff breakout areas and washrooms, making your business a great place to work, thus attracting top talent.
Set your budget and timeline
Knowing how much you are able to spend is crucial as you can plan your refurbishment around your budget and work out any limitations to your design. Use a fit-out calculator to estimate the cost of your project.
Typically, office fit-outs and refurbishments take between 8-12 weeks. Your workspace design expert will be able to work to a set timeline to make sure they minimise disruption to your business, team and local community. You need to consider where your team will work from whilst the work is ongoing, it may be possible to do it in stages by sectioning off areas.
Speak to an expert
Once you have decided that you need a fit-out or refurbishment then it is time to discuss your project with a specialist. At Domino Interiors we have over 34 years’ experience in office design and refurbishment and because we offer mechanical and electrical services in-house, we are able to save our client's money and we have the flexibility to deliver work within tight timescales.
We work with our clients to conduct a design feasibility review, set budgets and timelines and to create a concept design that meets their needs. Furthermore, our industry experience makes us well placed to provide sound advice and guidance to help drive your business forward.
You will also have a dedicated project manager who will be in regular communication with you and will answer any questions you have.
It is also important to involve key stakeholders in your decision making as they might have other considerations that impact their department.
Select the right furniture
As well as considering how ergonomic and comfortable you need your new furniture to be, you also need to consider how it will reflect your brand. Your office is like a storefront and first impressions count, so don’t be tempted to just go with the cheapest option.
Also, it is worth considering if your current furniture can be repurposed or upcycled to fit your new design. Biophilic office designs have increased in popularity as it has been reported that plants boost employee morale and productivity.
Your selection of furniture should also consider those who will be using it daily. Do you need flexible desks for hotdesking or comfortable chairs for when people need some quiet time? Similarly, you may need more portable equipment and technology to support a hybrid team.
In summary, the top five considerations for starting an office fit-out or refurbishment project are, assessing your needs and whether your current space meets those needs, defining your goals, setting a realistic budget, choosing furniture that is functional and fits your branding and working with an expert who can guide you through the process. If you need to speak to a specialist about your refurbishment or relocation plans, get in touch with our team today.
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