An office renovation can completely transform the look and feel of your operations. Making such improvements to a workplace may even allow for higher productivity and a better first impression with new clients, but you need to make sure you have a clear budget and plan in mind before you get started. Too many renovation projects go over budget and many end in incomplete renovations, making your strategy key to creating improvements that will help your company instead of hurt.
This guide will walk you through what you need to effectively renovate your office space and ensure a smooth office renovation process.
What is Office Renovation?
Office renovation, or remodeling, allows your team to repurpose and update its existing space. As a business, you might decide to renovate your office space for a variety of reasons including:
- Needing an update to the existing design due to outdated equipment or setup
- Wanting your office to reflect the changing needs of your business
- Wanting to improve staff safety in the office
- Needing more space for specifics like conference rooms or individual offices
- To redesign the building and its flow for greater overall value after changing the way you work within the office
- Wanting to meet new building codes and standards
A renovation project can transform your office for both workers and clients, leaving you with a brighter, newer space that is more efficient for accomplishing each day’s work.
Office Renovation Checklist
As you get started on your office renovation project, there are many things to keep in mind. You may want to:
- Identify clear goals for your renovation. What exactly do you want to accomplish? What are your priorities throughout the project?
- Consult with office designers to ensure you have the best plan in mind for your office.
- Explain the renovation plan to all employees in the office so they know what to expect.
- Set a clear budget so you know how much you have to spend on your project.
- Walk through your existing space and ensure you can make the best of it. Take a look at your existing fixtures. Watch employees complete their work. Examine your workspaces to see how it is currently used and how you can improve efficiency, safety, and design.
You want to be sure your new office will fit your needs. Office renovations often fail because they lack a clear design and plan from the starting point. Gather sufficient information about the dynamics of your building to plan the design and office fit-out. There should be a reason and purpose behind every changing detail.
6 Budgeting Tips for Your Office Renovation
An easy way to stick to your budget is by following a few steps ahead of time and as you conduct your renovation.
1. Have a clear plan in place before starting, then stick to it.
When there is a solidified decision for the design, you are more likely to stay within the budget. Research every aspect of the office that has to undergo the requested change. Don’t overlook any details during planning, and stay as close to the plan as possible.
Renovations go over budget because too many modifications are made throughout construction. Those seemingly small changes can sometimes even add up to be double the budget for your renovation project.
2. Let your office designer know your budget ahead of time.
Renovation projects can cost as much or as little as you want to spend, so let your office designer know how much you can allocate. That way, your designer will work with you to stay within your budget, rather than providing you with a wide range of options that will quickly take you over your funds and leave you struggling to finish your project.
3. Reuse features and fixtures that do not need replacement.
You may want to upgrade outdated equipment or replace the old materials with new fixtures. If your existing equipment or features still serve its purpose, continue their use in your new office. Likewise, check your office furniture and decide if it’s time to purchase new ones. Everything you can use from your existing structure will help cut costs during your renovation.
4. Invest in quality where it matters.
You want to manage your office renovation on a budget, but you don’t want your project to end up looking cheap. To get the high-caliber look you want, make sure you invest in quality where it matters. Quality materials will hold up longer, which means they will not require an expensive replacement within a few years.
5. Make sure your new office will have room for your growing business.
Consider your office’s workflow and traffic before preparing the design. For example, if you often find yourself fighting for meeting space, you may need more rooms where larger groups of employees can gather. If your team is growing, you may need more individual offices. These are the questions you should answer:
- How many employees do you have in your office?
- How many conference rooms do you need–particularly the ones you use on a regular basis?
- How many workstations do you need?
- Do you need to add walls or remove them in order to create the specific spaces you need for your new office?
These questions will help you narrow in on your needs to ensure your renovation strategy goes off without a hitch.
6. Hire a professional to oversee the project.
Don’t cut corners with a DIY plan and hire a professional to take responsibility for your project instead. This person can keep your renovation on track in terms of budget and schedule, meaning you can decrease productivity loss during construction by leaving the renovation to the project management expert.
Talk to an Expert About Your DC Office Renovation
Renovating your office can enhance the image of your business for your clients, and a refreshing design with features tailored to the needs of your employees can usually drive up morale. You don’t want the renovation to interfere with your work or to cost a fortune, however.
Every office building is unique, so knowing the specific requirements for your renovation should be the first step. Trust your strategy to an expert partner who can help you save time on research. Contact The Genau Group today to consult with our team about planning your office renovation and any other related questions.
