Commercial office fit outs are a perfect way to enhance your workplace. They provide an opportunity to optimise layouts, integrate the latest technology and, ultimately, improve employee comfort and productivity. However, there are some common office fit out mistakes that can turn your refit into a nightmare.
To help you get the most out of your fit out, we’ve put together this handy guide to notorious office refurbishment pitfalls. Stick with us to learn what not to do as well as the biggest tip for making your fit out a success. Top 6 office fit out mistakes
1. Not defining clear fit out objectives
Before diving headlong into a potentially costly commercial office fit out, it’s crucial to determine what you want to achieve. Define exactly what results you want from your fit out and what success will look like.
Your fit out planning should align closely with your long-term business plan and consider key factors such as functionality and staff comfort as well as aesthetics. Having these goals clearly determined not only helps keep your project on-track but also streamlines it to prevent time-consuming and often expensive last-minute changes.
2. Overlooking the importance of space planning
One of the most important factors to consider when planning your office fit out is space utilisation. Failing to evaluate how a refurbished office will be used by staff and visitors is one of the most common office fit out mistakes, yet one of the easiest to avoid.
Remember to keep in mind:
- The space your current staff needs
- Storage requirements
- How people will move between different parts of the office
- Space for workforce expansion
- The visitor experience
- How different teams interact with each other
3. Underestimating budget and timeline requirements
Not allocating the correct budget or underestimating time requirements is a sure-fire way to end up with an office fit out that is poor quality or rushed, or both. Commercial office fit outs need to be carefully mapped out, with the right budget allocated and enough time allowed for each stage.
Without experience, estimating budget and timelines can be difficult, so it’s often best to consult a trusted commercial fit outs provider.
4. Ignoring the need for flexible workspaces
The modern workplace is no longer fixed. A growing number of employers are taking advantage of flexible working arrangements such as flexitime, hybrid or remote working to help improve employee satisfaction, drive productivity and reduce space requirements.
To make the most of these benefits, it’s important to ensure that your fit out planning is structured around flexible working from the outset. That can mean considering a range of adaptations depending on your unique arrangements, from remote conferencing pods and quiet working areas to collaborative spaces.
5. Failing to comply with building regulations
A detrimental yet common office refurbishment pitfall is forgetting to consider compliance with building regulations. While your new office should be centred around your needs it should also be designed and built with compliance and safety in mind.
Failing to consider regulations can lead to legal hold-ups and complications down the road or even financial penalties. With a strict set of regulations governing building modifications and workplace safety, the help of a dependable commercial fit outs provider can be instrumental.
6. Choosing the wrong fit out partner
Your commercial fit out provider holds the success of your project in their hands. Choosing the wrong one can damage your project from start to finish, leading to poor results, delays and wasted budget.
Before getting started, make sure to evaluate potential providers based on more than just cost. Look at their previous work, client testimonials and accreditations. Unscrupulous contractors often achieve low costs by cutting corners.
A reliable full-service fit out provider will be able to ensure a seamless process from initial concept to handover, helping with everything from design to regulatory compliance.
Final thoughts: the right partner for a successful fit out
So, we’ve covered what not to do, but what should you do to ensure the success of your commercial office fit out? The single most valuable tip we can give you is to find a commercial fit out provider you can trust.
Partner with a company with proven experience and accreditations who can deliver a turnkey solution, considering every aspect from space usage to budget and timelines. The right support will ensure your fit out is a success, saving you time, hassle and money in the long run.
