10 things to consider before undertaking an office refurbishment
Refurbishing your office space may be one of the largest expenses your business has to pay for, so you need to make sure you get it right the first time around. From the available facilities to the look and feel of the office, you need to take into account what will improve your brand image and what will increase staff productivity.
Drawing up a plan is a huge part of any office refurbishment. You need to work out exactly what, how, and where to place things in order to make the most out of the space you have available.
The planning part of refurbishment is key. An office space that is well-planned is more likely to provide a stress-free environment for employees. Follow some of our top tips below to make your office refurbishment successful and enjoyable:
1. Question yourself
An office refurbishment will benefit you and your business in a variety of different ways. From increased workflow to better staff performance, easier movement throughout the workplace, and better lighting. There are also more recognisable benefits such as offering clients and customers a nicer environment.
Before starting the refurbishment, you need to have an idea of what you want. Ask yourself these questions:
- Why do you want to change your office?
- What do you want from the refurbishment?
- Where will your office be located?
Answering these questions will help you come up with an idea of a budget, give you some guidance for aesthetic and functional features, and give you an idea of how long the project might take.
2. Plan ahead
Your workplace needs to reflect your business. However, it also needs to be able to adapt to future changes. In order to do this, you should ask yourself these questions:
- Will the industry you are working in be likely to change over the next few years?
- Can your current office environment accommodate expansions?
- How will trends in technology impact your business?
- Is your office environment able to adapt to change?
If your office is unsuitable or outdated, you need to decide whether to relocate or refurbish your current space. Getting some advice from a professional is always a good idea. Not only will they be able to tell you about the latest products on the market that are available for your business, but they will also help you come up with a timeframe and a budget for your refurbishment.
3. Set a budget
Finding the right contractor for the job can be hard. There are so many different options available to you and it’s hard to know who to trust. Before you start looking, it’s a good idea to have a rough idea of how much you would like to spend. You need to take into account how much items cost, what your ambitions are, and how long the build is likely to take.
Once you have an idea of how much you’re willing to spend, you’ll be able to start getting quotes from contractors. If you are looking at an office refurbishment Glasgow then Amos Beech is a brilliant choice of contractor. They will work alongside you during the whole process and will come up with a plan that suits your needs, wants and budget.
When setting a budget, you should think about:
- Costs of moving (if not staying in the same location)
- How long you will need to store your current office furniture for
- The design of your new office space
- The costs of any new furniture
- The cost of any new technology being installed
Once you have an idea of a budget, you need to start getting quotes from contractors. Make sure your quote includes:
- Technical plans
- Design brief
- Delivery of materials
- An assessment of your building
- Construction and project management
A quote that includes all possible costs will enable you to effectively budget for the refurbishment. Having an idea of how much the renovation is likely to cost will give you an indication on whether you can afford it or whether you need to get some more funds. A renovation might cost you in the short term, but in the long term it will increase profits, productivity, and staff morale, so it’s definitely worth it.
4. Your brand identity is important
The overall look of your refurbishment needs to reflect the values, ideas, mottos, and vision of your company. Your office space should be an extension of your marketing and advertising collateral. This means that your clients get the same picture of your business, whether looking at your website or walking into your office.
Involving your marketing department in the renovation is a brilliant idea; they know your brand better than any other person in the company.
5. Staff needs
With technology continually evolving, an office refurbishment could be a brilliant opportunity to downsize, restructure the office layout or change to a more collaborative work area. Many employees now choose to work at home or part-time, meaning you can reduce the amount of floor space.
Make a plan of how much space your employees need. A general rule in an office is that a worker needs 6m2 per person. You will also need to take into account space for breaks or meetings.
6. Follow design trends
It’s a good idea to do some research into the latest trends so that you can get an idea of what you want, what you don’t want, and how a design will benefit your office space and employee productivity. Open-plan offices are extremely popular, but new designs that focus on collaborative teams, accommodating workgroups, and remote working are on the increase.
Think about some of these trends before making your decision:
- Standing desks – standing desks have been shown to improve the health and productivity of workers
- Moving desks – these allow employees to move their desks so that they can set up and work where they want or need to and with whom they need to
- Authentic design – many businesses are using authentic designs to make their business stand out from competitors
- Daylight and natural materials – these have been shown to promote well-being within an office environment
- Multipurpose spaces – these are replacing cubicles and help promote inter-office engagements and collaboration
7. Try and impress potential customers
If you’re a customer-facing business, your office sells your company as much as the employees do, so first impressions can have a huge impact. Before starting the refurbishment, remember that you’re starting from scratch, so think about everything in terms of resources and design in order to provide a workplace that impresses customers. This might include:
- Café space
- Relaxing but engaging reception area
- Public thoroughfares that make people want to walk past your office
- Entertaining or recreational areas
- Design or architectural flourishes such as indoor gardens, floating stairs etc.
- Artwork that draws attention
You need to think about who you are trying to attract to your business. Produce a design that will leave a lasting impression on any client. At the end of the day, there’s nothing more important to your brand identity than word of mouth.
8. Select the right colours
Choosing the right colour can have a huge impact on the look and feel of your workplace so it’s important to get it right:
- Blue tones help stimulate and soothe the mind
- High saturation colours have been shown to be more stimulating whilst lower saturation creates a more relaxing atmosphere
- Yellow tones help increase creativity, confidence, ego and emotions
- Red is perfect for a physical environment
- Green provides a sense of normality or balance. However, it can also come across as stagnant or inert if used incorrectly
Choosing the right colour combinations is key for a happy and productive work environment.
9. Go green
There are a number of benefits to your company becoming more sustainable, not only to the bottom line but also in terms of increasing your reputation with employees and customers. There are numerous ways to become more sustainable including:
- Go paperless – There are countless environmental benefits of going paperless; it not only helps to reduce the amount of energy usage in the paper industry, but it also helps save thousands of trees!
- Invest in solar technology – solar technology can help heat water, power lights and cut down on your electricity bills
- Maximise existing sunlight – design your new office space to make full use of natural daylight; natural daylight has been shown to help improve staff morale and reduce stress
- Introduce plants – placing plants in an office environment has been shown to reduce stress levels, increase productivity, and help with memory retention
10. Health and safety
You need to make sure that your new workplace promotes health and safety. This includes during the refurbishment too, so remember to:
- Ensure fire extinguishers and first aid kits are available
- Only employ certified contractors
- Put up signs to stop any unauthorised access
- Know the law and regulations
- Have a meeting with your employees about behaviour and impacts
- Employ a health and safety inspector to check the workplace is up to the regulations
- Update your insurance policy if needed
The workplace needs to be clear of any potential hazards at all times. Try and minimise any risks and prevent accidents from occurring for which you might be liable.
An office refurbishment is a brilliant idea for any business. An office refurbishment that is successful will not only become more attractive to potential customers, but it will also help to increase productivity and morale. Before getting started on your renovation, it’s important to have an idea of what you want and how much you are willing to pay. Why not consider visiting other workplaces before starting your renovation. Not only will you be able to get some ideas of what you want, but you will also be able to get some advice on what works well and what doesn’t.
