This is a contributor’s blogpost …

 

When you are in the business of commercial refurbishment, you know that planning is as crucial as the materials used during the project. If you are planning a project, regardless of the size, being proactive is going to make it more likely that that you will have a cost-efficient and high-quality result. Being smart about running a project from start to finish drastically increases the chances of a successful renovation with little in the way of hiccups. Expanding an office space, whether you are adding a new floor or starting again completely, is a big job. You can read here about interviewing construction teams for your project. Rushing this kind of work can lead to shoddy workmanship, bad planning and a process struck with headaches. However, this can all be avoided as long as you are planning properly.

If you are the person planning the office refurb from start to finish, you’ll be aware that it is a huge undertaking. Planning a project of such a size means taking advice from as many people as you can. There are many checks you should be doing when you are guiding a project toward a successful renovation. We’ve outlined below the things you need to think about when you build the bricks of a new office project, as well as the steps that you need to take to help the renovation run smoothly.

 

Identify goals

All your questions that you start with, from whether the timing is right to the equipment hire that you need, should come from the bottom line of your company. Money is everything in a renovation and you need to ensure you have it. Make sure that the project you are planning is actually what you need. Sometimes an office relocation can be the best option for an office instead of a total rebuild and change. The disruption that a rebuild can have on your employees, as well as the way your business is run needs some serious consideration.  

Successful planning comes from thorough research. Ask yourself the factors driving the project in the first place. Are you installing new technology through the building for security and air quality? Is the building falling apart and needs a good tidy up? There are many things that can drive a refurbishment, and having a clear goal ahead can really help. People work better in an office that is well-designed, and if your renovation is geared that way, you can do far more for your profits in the long run.

 

Photo courtesy of Fons Heijnsbroek via Flickr

 

Build a team

You have to include designers, contractors, the landlord of the building if you are renting it and the very staff using the building. A team that is qualified, professional and efficient is one that moves seamlessly during a project and is a very crucial element in a commercial renovation. A detailed plan of communication is an essential to keep everyone involved updated on the plans ahead, as well as a schedule. Planning a new office space to work from temporarily while the actual job is being done is a smart decision and it will take involving the work of the whole office staff to get that job done. Finding and establishing a good relationship with a strong architectural team is key, but if you already have that in place with your company, you are one step ahead.

Building relationships with suppliers, contractors, tradesmen and designers is a very important part of the process, and not just so everyone gets along! You need to be able to communicate effectively and run the project to the best it can be and this takes time spent getting the right people together.

 

Photo courtesy of MaxPixel

 

Research – A LOT!

Go beyond looking for the right team of people and look at the building and the land itself. It will take some added spending that you need to stretch your budget for, but it’s better to look into exactly what it is you want to do early rather than encounter problems and pay out later on. Investigating the area that you want to expand into should be done in person as well as going over documentation. You can look at the strengths and weaknesses of the building and capitalize on those. Original features that are worth saving could be something to avoid changing – especially as a building renovation can alter the original structure of a building irreversibly. If you’re just upgrading the inside of the office space you occupy, don’t forget about the exterior! Figure out the appealing features of the external area of the office and maximise those for the retention of clients and staff.

Involve a building inspector and a surveyor to ensure you aren’t going to interrupt any materials that can be uncovered during construction. Asbestos is a literal killer and if you are going to disturb any in your renovation efforts, you’ll need to know it’s there so that you can avoid costly repairs down the line.

 

Photo courtesy of Wokandapix via Pixabay

 

Prepare financially

As always, any big project needs a lot of financial planning. However, you also should plan a back-up budget. Even the projects that are carefully planned can get hit by the unexpected. Having a contingency budget of at least 10% of the total planned spends can feel like a very well-planned safety cushion. You can have a lot of breathing room and feel more prepared when you have a proactive plan to back you up if something falls through.

If you are proactive about your planning a huge office renovation, you can minimise any pitfalls along the way. It is a job that takes a lot of legwork, and preparing your staff for the disruption does take some time. Your staff should be considered when you make such huge changes, as they need to be happy to be productive and keep working to their current efficiency levels. Your office project doesn’t have to be a difficult one, so follow the advice above carefully and you can have an exciting new office to boost those bottom line profits!