Our Guide on how to Plan an Office Refurbishment

An office refurbishment is an exciting opportunity to create a new way of working for you and your team. Whether you’re planning a move and need an entirely new fit out or you’re stripping out your new space to better accommodate your needs.

To ensure you cover the key bases when planning your office refurbishment, we’ve put together the following guide.

Before planning your refurbishment and mapping out your budget, it is essential that everyone involved is clear on the why behind the project.

Companies refurbish their offices for a multitude of reasons like a recent growth, government legislation, a general lack of productivity or because of a downsize.

Your refurbishment could be required for a number of reasons so be sure to make them clear before planning the next steps. You can find some key reasons why you might need an office refurbishment in our blog here.

Like any project, in order to make a plan, it’s important to know your budget. Start by creating a list of all the essential elements you would like to include in your refurbishment.

If you have a big budget for the project, it is likely that you will be able to incorporate structural changes or an entirely new fit out. However, if your budget is limited, it’s important that you are clear on what’s essential to the refurbishment and what would be great added extras if budget permits.

If you’re planning a refurbishment because of low productivity levels, now is the perfect time to think about how your team works best.
A lack of productivity can be due to a whole host of reasons from an uninspiring environment to a poor desk set-up.

Take this opportunity to speak to your team and ask them what would make their time in the office more enjoyable and productive. Maybe some people work best in quieter zones whereas others prefer a more relaxed, break-out environment.

This feedback could be essential in planning the scope of your office, eliminating elements that are outdated and incorporating new ways of working for your team.

This ties in a little to the above point about how staff work. If your current office is loud and distracting, consider incorporating acoustic solutions to quieten echos.

Another key element when it comes to the office environment is light. Yes, adding windows is not often possible, but taking down unnecessary partitions and ditching the blinds is. A light, airy office can do wonders for productivity and make staff feel more energised.

If you’re working with a smaller budget, there are plenty of things you can do to enhance the overall environment. Add vibrancy with art, bring plants into the mix and create bold feature walls using your brand colours.

It’s all well and good planning a refurbishment for your current employees but what happens when you grow? Ideally, your new office should last you for years to come so it’s important to consider your future as a company.

Many businesses are shifting towards agile working which has changed the face of the modern day office. Hot desks are becoming commonplace and working remotely is now the norm for many.

If agile working is a possibility for your business, think about how you can design a set up which is built to stand the test of time. Rather than allocating set desks to staff, consider hot desking. Larger tables will allow more room for new employees in the future, rather than having to find the space for additional desks.

If hot desking and agile working is not appropriate for your business, now may be the time to think about moving to larger premises where you can accommodate future growth.

Staff wellbeing is an essential element of the modern day office and can be incorporated in many different ways. For some, wellbeing is about having a place to get away from the desk every day at lunchtime. For others, it’s being able to keep fit whilst at work, whether that’s using an office gym or inviting in a yoga instructor.

There are plenty of ways to make sure your office caters for staff wellbeing, no matter what budget you’re working with. Adding amenities such as a communal coffee machine or a café area for staff to work and socialise in can make all the difference.

If you have the space, why not consider a multifunctional board room-come workout space. You could arrange instructors to come in once a week or use a streaming fitness app such as Les Mills or Fiit which will encourage employees to get away from the desk and keep fit.

Don’t be swayed into opting for style over substance here. Yes, hanging egg seats and wireframe chairs do look cool, but are they conducive to productivity?

If you have the space to incorporate fun break-out spaces with stylish furniture then go for it. It can create a different zone where staff can get away from their desks and work or hold meetings in a different environment.

However, if you don’t have the space for this, it’s important that the furniture you do choose is comfortable and practical. Think about ergonomics and ensure your team have the set-up they need to work comfortably.

Planning an office refurbishment is an exciting opportunity to shake up your space and create a new environment for your team. Always start with your ‘why’ and make sure this feeds through every stage of the project.

Keep your staff involved as much as possible so you can be sure that the outcome is positive for everyone.

If you’d like to learn more about how we can help with your office refurbishment or if you’re just looking for some advice, we’d be happy to help. Call us on 0115 939 7572 or visit our contact page.