The Top 5 Things To Consider During An Office Refurbishment

Businesses choose to undergo office refurbishments for many reasons. From upgrading infrastructure and facilities, expanding current spaces, modernising their branding and sometimes even due to damages that may have occurred.

Because an office refurbishment project can stem from any of these challenges, the process and timelines of your refurb project can vary greatly.

There are, however, a number of key considerations businesses should make during any type of office refurbishment. These elements are ingrained into any construction or fit out project, meaning it’s always worth planning potential works with these considerations in mind.

To keep things simple we have broken down 5 key considerations you need to make during an office refurbishment project. Considering these early, will result in more seamless planning stages, quicker project turnaround, and will mitigate most unforeseen costs later down the line.

 

Budget

To begin with, take the time to assess your business’ budget. This can be incredibly difficult to do without reaching out to a contractor with expertise. For major overhauls or projects that encompass a broad estate of multiple properties, hidden costs and complications are sure to arise if you don’t seek professional advice.

Getting the most out of your budget is key here. When discussing your initial scope with a design and build partner, they may highlight that you have undershot your total projected costs.

Being flexible in these early planning stages will allow you to make adjustments to the initial scope, perhaps only focusing on select parts of the building in question, booking in the remainder of the works at a later date, when finances permit.

The biggest budget tip for businesses planning an office refurbishment is to keep your designs in line with your budget. Major construction work can quickly eat into your costs and might not always be necessary.

Engage your design and build contractor early as they can help shape your designs with your ultimate project goals and total budget in mind, often being able to stretch your finances much further than you think through value engineering, supplier relationships, market intelligence and design choices.

Space

This one might seem obvious, but when refurbishing your offices, you need to consider the space at your disposal. This is more than just square footage.

Systems and facilities such as air conditioning, kitchenettes, and accessibility for staff with disabilities will all affect your total floorspace. Most often, refurbishments are made due to the current space lacking functionality or modern facilities – which often means you’ll be left with less space than you had originally.

Clever use of existing space can offset this. Through ergonomic design and weighing up whether your design choices make logistical sense when it comes to the total space they will take up, even the smallest of spaces can be maximised for efficiency.

In contrast, some businesses are realising they have too much space. With a change in work behaviours exacerbated by COVID-19, many workers and employers are choosing to adopt a more hybrid approach to work.

You may not need as many workspaces as you had originally, consider what this space can be used for instead. Making smart choices when it comes to space and layout can not only make your working environment more comfortable, but even improve efficiencies and output, directly increasing your business ROI.

 

 

Functionality

So we’ve discussed how businesses can maximise smaller spaces, or redefine excess space in offices. However, all of your design choices in the early planning stages should be made with the business and workers needs in mind.

Comfort and functionality are non-negotiable in 2023. With workers being more outspoken about their desire for comfortable working environments, businesses must ensure they’re putting the needs of their people first.

At Resolution Interiors we refer to ‘great design’ as spaces that have combined aesthetic perfection with complete functionality. When one is prioritised over the other, the design is often flawed.

Here are some of the key considerations we make when planning the functionality and comfort of an office refurbishment:

• Layout – Are the teams that are collaborating together situated in areas which make collaboration easy? Are meeting spaces far enough away from working areas so as not to cause disturbances?
• Social Spaces & Work-life Balance Facilities: Are you considering your workers desire for hybrid working? Do you have areas for them to wind down? Consider personal lockers, exercise facilities, coffee shops etc.
• Lighting – Does it create a comfortable working environment? Is it adjustable for individual needs?
• Heating, Cooling and Air Quality: – Is the space well ventilated? Is the office able to be heated in sections to adjust to workers’ needs? Is the chosen system sustainable for the business?
• Acoustics – Does the space meet minimum Rw requirements? Can conversations be overheard across the building? Are meeting spaces treated for confidentiality?
• Biophilic Design – Has biophilia been considered? Can plants and flora add to the space to promote wellbeing at work and create a more comfortable environment?

These are just some of the initial considerations you can make during your planning and design stage. But the key takeaway here is to consider the people that will be using the space daily. Does it work for them?

Regulations/Legislation

For many office refurbishments, CAT A work is usually not required, which circumvents the need for most planning permissions. However, there are still a range of regulations which you must consider when renovating an existing internal space.

For businesses that have not updated their spaces for quite some time, an office refurbishment project is the prime time to address current certifications within the building. This can include anything from fire regulations to building standards.

With recent changes to the Fire Safety Act under the new Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 business owners and managers, that are responsible for high-rise buildings over 11m in height, have been tasked with being more responsible around fire safety measures.

This involves making more regular checks on existing fire stopping measures, such as fire alarms and fire doors. When planning your office refurbishment, take these changes into account and plan accordingly.

As well as this, with more and more businesses moving towards net zero initiatives, sustainability and greener processes should come into your early decision making. Small changes such as choosing a more sustainable heating system, like air sourced heat pumps, can have a huge effect on your businesses efforts in the long run – all whilst saving you money on your utility bills.

Turnkey Solutions

Office refurbishment projects can be much more complex than they may seem from the offset. Whether you’re renovating a single office space or a suite of buildings, each project is unique and brings with it its own set of challenges.

Mistakes can lead to longer lead times, project delays, unforeseen costs and even legal troubles if the planning and build stages aren’t managed correctly.

For this reason, it is best practice to seek out a design and build partner early on, who can help bring your initial scope to fruition, whilst advising on how to best watch the project’s bottom line.

Working with one contractor who provides both design and build services, will provide your project with a seamless link between these two main deliverables. Managed by one single contractor, your initial vision can be carried out with clear communication and precise management throughout the whole project.

At Resolution Interiors, we specialise in bringing your vision to life through interior fit-outs and refurbishments of new and existing sites, as well as relocations. We work with you to create a bespoke environment that works for customers, employees and shareholders alike.

If you have an office building or workspace project which requires expert design and build skills, reach out to one of our team today. We’re always on hand to help and offer any advice!

Alternatively, why not give us a ring on +44 (0)1935 422 700. We look forward to hearing from you.