The Do’s And Don’ts For Office Renovation

Your office’s outlook is undoubtedly the first impression you create on your clients.  A great working environment will also motivate your employees, boosting their productivity. Your office reflects your company’s core values and vision.

There are a number of reasons why you may need to renovate your office: expansion of operations, the need to incorporate more partitions, or even pull some partitions down.

Whatever the reason, the renovation must reflect what you stand for, create a lasting impression on your clients, and ensure a great working environment for the employees.

1. The amount of space to be renovated

Do you intend to renovate the entire office?

A specific department?

The reception?

This is important as it will determine cost, and even the extent of improvement.

2. Colours and design

This will largely depend on your niche, company goals, clients and even maybe your prime colours on your logo or brand.

Don’t just go for any colour or design.

3. The cost of renovation

The cost of renovation is high, but when compared to the return on investment, it is a worth expenditure.

Putting the cost of office renovation first, above all other considerations may inhibit proper renovation, which may end up costing you more, as you may need to redo the renovation.

For instance, if you go for a reno company that uses poor quality material for partitioning, you will need to replace the partitions which will cost you more in the long run.

Cost should be a consideration during office renovation, but it should not make you go for poor quality renovation.

4. The time that the renovation will take

Office renovation is great, and absolutely necessary, but it shouldn’t take so long that it will affect your business.

Get to know how much time the reno company will take, and communicate this to your clients, employees and any other stakeholders.

Will it be done during working hours?

Is the reno company willing to put in extra time?


5. The Uniqueness of each renovation

When renovating your office, you must understand that your situation is unique.

A friend may have referred you to a reno company.

Do not expect to pay the same amount as they did, or even end up with similar design, colours and partitioning.

You could have companies in the same niche, but every situation is unique.

You need to delve into the details of your particular situation, and remember to factor in your core values and company goals as well as vision.

6. The Choice of the renovation contractor

Licensing is not proof enough that the renovation contractor can do a good office renovation job.

It is important that you confirm that indeed they are licensed.

Moreover, take time to look at their portfolio

How much experience do they have in the niche?

Who are their former clients?

Can you talk to at least 2 of them in person and hear what they have to say about working with the renovation company?

What values does the renovation company uphold?

Do they have satisfied customers?

How qualified is their staff?

How do they handle the clients?

Any hidden costs?

Visiting their website will also give you a clue, as they should have testimonials and a gallery showcasing their previous projects.

If you suspect poorly done projects, poor customer service, inexperience, ludicrously low charges, or even poor customer service, you can look elsewhere.

7. The content of the contract

The contract lays down the rules that will govern most of your interaction between your contractor and yourself.

It will determine how well the project will be handled.

Before you sign the contract, ensure that you have read, interpreted and understood it.

Where you have questions, seek clarification.

If legal interpretation is required, then go for it.

Remember, the contract is binding, and you must play by the set rules.

Do not subject yourself to foul play via signing a contract you do not fully understand.

The contractor should have incorporated all the details, which you must confirm before signing.

Even if the contractor is your friend, do not leave things simply to ‘trust’.

Worse still, do not go for a ‘standard contract’.

8. Quality control

Do not leave quality control to the city inspector.

You are the one who wants the office renovated.

You are paying the contractor.

It is your company’s image that you want to uphold.

It is your workers whose working environment you want to improve.

Why then should the city inspector be responsible?

Get to know what you need, including any legal requirements, and ensure that the reno company has done a good job.

The city inspector can only advise on the fine that will be charged for any procedure that is not duly followed.

All in all, office renovation is important. When done right, it has a huge ROI.