Office refurbishment can not only give staff the latest technology and innovations to help in their work – it can also be a major boost to productivity as they look forward to coming in each day knowing they have the best environment in which to operate.
As the average person will spend 90,000 hours at work over a lifetime, it is important for the office environment to look and feel welcoming. Charlie Speechley, senior business development manager at Motif Interiors, shares his top tips for a stress-free office refurbishment or move.
It’s almost certainly the case that since your last office refurbishment the market has moved on – a regeneration of your workspace provides the opportunity to take all those new factors into consideration.
Whether it’s a work-from-home culture being developed, a need for greater flexible spaces due to post-Covid hybrid workplace trends, or break-out areas to facilitate communication and creative thought, a revamp of your premises should accommodate it.
So before you decide on what changes need to be made, look at what’s going on business-wise around you. That workplace adjustment might just be what you need to get one step ahead of your competition – and remain there.
Put simply, it’s just making sure your workplace does what it needs to do. It's functional in the sense that it allows the company to operate. But it can be so much more – the right combination of fittings, furniture, equipment and accessories such as wall murals, sculptures or plants can make for an inspirational ambience for everyone.
And that’s important for clients too, knowing they are coming to a meeting in a stylish environment which radiates confidence – and probably serves great coffee as well – can do wonders when it comes to striking deals.
Make sure you have a full list of what you need before the work starts. Do you need more space, or do you need to economise the existing floor area? Is there going to be major new technology which needs to be accommodated? Or is a bigger meeting space the number one priority?
Or is it about sustainability? Do you need to install better lighting or more sustainable carpet flooring? How about greater use of natural light with more windows?
a. Bettering your public face: Your office is the face of your company. And the quality of your workplace can speak volumes about how your company is run, and even how successful it is. A top office indicates that your company is turning a good profit, which can make other customers or clientele have faith in its success and be more inclined to do business with you.
b. Promoting a rebrand: Rebrands and office refurbishments go hand in hand because if you’re altering the outward image of your company, you will want that theme to resonate through every aspect of your business, including your place of work.
c. Increased health and safety: If you’ve been using your office for a while, natural wearing might have caused some damage to the fixtures, which can be a huge health and safety risk. A refitted office will be completely safe and secure, greatly reducing the risk of workplace accidents.
d. And lastly – cost: It is important to consider how the office refurbishment will affect your bottom line. Whether it's retaining staff, cutting overheads, or space to maximise your team efficiency – a refit can help in many and varied ways.
