One of the most expensive endeavors your business may need to pay for is fitting out your work space. This could mean undergoing renovations or moving to a new office.
Whichever the case may be, it is imperative that you get it right in the first attempt. Aim to achieve an office ambiance that will boost staff productivity as well as enhance the brand image of your company.
It often seems, easy but fitting out your office can be stressful because there are plenty of things to consider. To ensure success, fit-out contractors in Dubai share a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
Step 1: Make a plan
When fitting out your office space, planning is crucial because this can have a huge impact on how visually appealing and functional the space can be.
Here are things to consider during the planning stage:
- Purpose
It is crucial for you to determine the purpose of the office fit-out project. Consider both the big picture and your practical needs that are specific to your worker’s tasks, such as finance, admin, a breakout space, a call center, or sales. Most importantly, take into account the image you want to project to your clients and the well-being of all your employees.
- Flexibility
It is important for you to consider not only the current situation of your business but also the long-term vision for the office you want to renovate or create. As much as possible, you must embrace features of flexible work spaces, such as height adjustable desks and static workstations.
- Noise
If you want to have open-plan offices, you must invest in excellent acoustic design. This will reduce unwanted sound, thus minimizing employee distraction and frustration. Design elements like carpeted desk areas, acoustic screening, and quiet spaces for employees doing focused work are some examples of great additions.
- Safety
Ensuring the safety of everyone working in the office is also a priority. This means adhering to all the health and safety regulations. Considerations will also include the availability of first aid kits, ease of movement from the desks to the emergency exits, location of amenities, provision of fire hydrants, and installation of suitable lighting.
Step 2: Determine your budget
Set your budget depending on the design concept you have created. Bear in mind that hunting for quotes is made a lot easier if you already have a budget.
Although you may need to perform some fact-finding to figure out the price range for your desired fit-out, knowing how much you are willing to spend will prevent time wastage dealing with contractors that can’t deliver your expectations.
When setting a budget, you must consider the cost of new furniture, the overall fit-out design, storage of some of your office furnishings and equipment, IT infrastructures, and the cost of getting expert help.
Step 3: Find the best fit-out company
Working with office fit-out specialists will help save you money, stress, and time. These design experts will help you avoid any problems, encourage what is right for your business, and guide you in making the right decisions. Of course, you must work with someone who understands your goals and has the same vision for your project.
Here are some tips to help you find the right office fit-out company:
- Ask relevant questions
Surely, you will have lots of questions in mind even before the project begins. How long will the project last? How can its impact be reduced so you can still continue with your business operations? Make sure to jot them down so you won’t forget any.
Stay away from companies that brush your ideas and concerns aside and don’t consider what you think about their suggestions. Instead, work with a fit-out company that listens to you and understands every question you ask. And if you have forgotten to bring up some important matters, they will still address such concerns.
- Get recommendations from people you trust
Word of mouth is a great way to find the best fit-out company because this gives you an honest opinion. Don’t be blinded by amazing presentations or flashy websites because all of these are nothing compared to getting referrals or recommendations from the people you trust, like your family and friends.
Other company owners can also provide you with great options, especially if you have seen how functional and visually appealing their business premises are.
The conference rooms in the best hotels in Dubai, for instance, have excellent interior design concepts that you could also implement in your office. So don’t hesitate to ask them who handled their office fit-out. You know that you have found the right fit-out company if their name comes up often.
- Check the company’s portfolio
It is crucial for you to look at the company’s past projects because this will give you an idea of what they are capable of. Don’t just look at how beautiful the output is; rather, focus also on the quality of the materials they have used for the project.
Step 4: Maintain open communication
Make sure to set meetings with your chosen fit-out company on a regular basis. This way, you will have an idea of what is going on and when the project will be started and finished. This is also the perfect opportunity to discuss any unforeseen problems that could lead to delays, and find ways to solve each.
Remember that the best fit-out company will still communicate with you even after the project is finished. So feel free to contact them in case you have concerns.
By taking your time to consider these crucial aspects, you can have a newly designed office in no time. This also means that the project’s outcome complies with government laws and regulations, enhances your brand, fits in with your budget, and ensures the comfort and well-being of all your employees.
AUTHOR BIO
Rachel Hennessey manages the Pools and Landscaping Division of Hennessey LLC. She also works on Tender and Pre-Qualification and brings in new business to the company’s Construction, Interiors and Civils Division.
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