An office refurbishment might feel essential if you are expanding your business, overhauling branding, or eager to improve a poor layout.
A redesign can also transform your employees’ working life and make them feel proud to be part of the company, increasing their loyalty, passion, and productivity.
As exciting as a renovation can be for you and your team, there are various considerations you need to make before undertaking the project.
To ensure you don’t overlook an important detail, read these six top tips for a stress-free office refurbishment.
1. Create a Realistic Budget
As every penny matters in business, you must create a realistic budget for a refurbishment and avoid overspending along the way.
To do so, you must estimate how much you will need to spend on:
· Construction and joinery (e.g., doors, partition walls, kitchenettes, pods, and reception desks)
· Electrical (lighting, fire safety systems, HVAC, etc.)
· Furniture (e.g., chairs, desks, and communal seating)
· Flooring
· IT and systems
· Permits and professional fees (such as project managers, regulatory approval, designers, etc.)
A contingency fund is also essential during an office renovation, as it helps cover unexpected costs, such as structural or electrical issues.
2. Move Office Equipment to a Storage Unit
Sanding debris and construction dust will quickly travel through the office, entering various crevices in your office equipment and appliances.
Also, extensive construction work increases the risk of your company’s expensive computers, devices, and furniture experiencing damage from paint, dropped tools, or wear and tear.
Keep your office equipment safe by moving it into secure London storage units, which are fully alarmed and offer 24-hour access.
Doing so ensures the items are protected during the building work and can be returned to the office once the refurbishment is complete.
3. Refurbish the Office in Stages
If you have a large office space, it might make good business sense to renovate the space in stages.
Rather than shutting down the workplace, refurbish the building by zone or floor, which prevents extensive disruption to your employees and operations.
For instance, you could set up temporary desks for specific departments or embrace remote work rotations to ensure every team member has a place to sit at work.
However, if you plan for employees to remain on-site during renovations, you must ensure the company adheres to various health and safety regulations to avoid workplace accidents.
You may also want to improve the office’s acoustics by using acoustic baffling panels and upholstered furniture to absorb loud sounds.
4. Communicate with Your Team
Communication is important when embarking on an office renovation, as the disruption to your employees’ working lives can cause frustration and anxiety.
To ensure your team feels as excited as management for a refurbishment, you must inform them why you are undertaking the project, such as to expand the team to grow the business, overhaul the company’s image, or improve working conditions.
If your employees know what you plan to do and why you are doing it, they will likely be more open to the change.
You may also want to offer a more flexible working environment during a renovation, such as allowing your employees to work from home or permitting headphones on noisy days.
5. Hire Contractors Over a Weekend
Alternatively, you can avoid noise and disruption during the working day by arranging for a contractor to work on the project over the weekend.
For instance, you could hire a team to commence demolition, drilling, or decorating from Friday at 6 pm until Sunday at 6 pm.
As a result, the construction team will provide your staff with a clean, safe space during the working week, allowing your business to operate as usual.
6. Hire the Right Construction Company
Of course, it is important to take your time when hiring a construction company for an office refurbishment.
Spend time interviewing different local contractors to learn more about their commercial experience, safety standards, and professional attitude.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions to ensure they are the right firm for your needs. For instance, you could ask a contractor how they manage delays or unexpected issues.
