Whether you are planning an office fit out, or refurbishing any type of commercial premises, here are a few things to consider for your plans
Choosing your fit-out partner
You have the option of a full service workplace interiors supplier (like Phoenix Systems), or you could choose an interior design company that will either outsource the work to third-party contractors and manage them as part of the project, or you will need to find a fit-out company to deliver their vision. Full service suppliers both design and install your new fit-out, meaning you don't have to juggle multiple suppliers. This decision really pivots on price, the time you have available to manage multiple suppliers and how much you love an individual design.
Other important factors to check are the following
Does the supplier have experience in the kind of space you are working in, e.g. warehouse fit-outs
Do you need DNB checks for projects where the buildings have vulnerable people
Experience of working in live and sensitive environments without impacting day-to-day operations
Track record for delivering on time and on budget - every day your project isn't completed costs you money so testimonials from previous clients are great here.
Scope your fit-out budget
Get an estimate of what your budget could be based on square footage of your space. A ballpark estimate could be something like this:
Low budget: £111 per sq foot
Medium budget: £150 per sq foot
High budget: £208 per sq foot
This is estimated on including the following items: construction, furniture, AV & IT, dilapidations and security. And remember, make sure you accommodate for any unexpected costs by budgeting a 5-10% contingency fund for the project.
Check your estimates carefully. Do they include everything you have specified?
Key things to look out for include costings for design briefs, that plans tie in with your branding, technical plans, building assessments, project management, plus any furniture and decoration.
Planning - check your designs vs office services & your team needs
Cross-check, then cross-check again. We've seen big failings in third party designs when items such as doors were put in the wrong place and would not be able to be opened. The fit-out will affect how your teams work and even how key services such as AV, ICT and ventiallation are integrated into the space and accessible. Examples here include whether there is ventillation planned in for server racks and whetehr power and data sockets are in the right place. It's very easy to miss something, so walk the space and get your teams involved to see how workable it is for them. Do this beforehand because any changes after the plans are signed off will cost you money, time and frustration.
Planning & Legal requirements
A good workplace interiors supplier will be able to help you with your planning and legal requirements but you also need to ensure that you have ticked off your requirements for local planning regulations, fire safety, access, health & safety, environmental standards, electricals and working environment standards; to name but a few.
Phoenix Systems is a full service workplace interiors provider serving Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire, supporting clients on all kinds of commercial fit out projects from design to installation. Talk to the team today on 01903 765366 or fill out our online enquiry form
here.