~ by Lillian Connors ~.
If moving is one of the most stressful things in life, then fitting out your office space is right up there high on that list as well. Planning out the whole thing, taking into consideration your worker’s wishes, finding the right partner for the job, and then finally moving your business – it all sounds like a real headache, but it doesn’t have to be. There’s a stress-free way to fit out your office and here’s how to do it.
Get your research done
First things first – find out what you want your new office space to be. Remember the reasons why you are moving from your current building, and come up with a list of things that you did or didn’t like before. Also, make sure you run a survey among your employees and include them in the process. What works in your workspace and what does not? How much technology do you want and how much do you actually need? Analyze your workflow and your team to see what exactly it is that you want.
Come up with a plan
Planning ahead of time is essential if you want your office fit-out to go as smooth as possible, especially if you don’t want your work to stop for more than a few days. This is particularly important when it comes to technicalities, such as the installation of phone lines, broadband, etc. You don’t want any surprises to happen after your move is complete, so make sure you keep everything under control.
Set up a budget
The most important thing to remember when setting up the budget for your office fit-out is that it’s a long-term investment. Once you do it, you’re probably good for a decade; so take that into account when figuring out how much you’ll spend. If you’re on a budget, see where you can save up. Of course, to get the numbers right, it’s essential to know exactly what you want. Get estimates for everything, even for the little things. Once again, you don’t want any surprise costs.
Find a reliable contractor
Finding the right partner for this job might seem a bit overwhelming when you first start looking, but it’s essential to set up your standards and stick to them. Meet with your potential contractors, ask to see their previous projects, and test their knowledge on legal issues of the job. Also, look for a contractor that works with your preferred style. For example, if you’re into contemporary office interiors, then hiring someone who has creative designers on their team and enough experience in that field is likely to give stunning results, both functionally and visually.
Reuse or replace
Some of the furniture you had in your previous office space can be reused in your new setting; so make sure you take that into account. It will affect your budget, but make sure you make that decision early in the process because your designers need time to think of a way to make it fit into your new style. For example, you can reupholster your old office chairs which will give them a fresh look and save you some money.
Have a plan for temporary working
If you don’t want to make a break in your business while you’re moving, then coming up with a plan for your workers is a must. You’ll probably need a few days to have all the furniture arranged and technology installed; so it would be best to let your employees work remotely. Whether it is from their homes or in a temporary office – that’s all up to you. Just make sure you have a plan for the worst-case scenario.
Double-check everything and, finally, after you move, make sure you run a full office review to iron out minor creases if needed. Give it time to see how it works and then correct if there’s something to correct. After you’ve done that, you can just relax and watch your business grow in your new space.
Meet the Author: Lillian Connors
As the Co-Editor of BizzMarkBlog, Lillian Connors believes that the question of business goes far beyond the maximization of profit through different money-grabbing ploys. Instead, she likes to think that ethical principles should be at the core of every commercial venture, paving the way for much more balanced distribution of wealth on a global scale.
You can check her out on LinkedIn.
