Looking to transform your commercial space into an inspiring and updated workplace this autumn? With the right commercial refurbishment strategies, you can create a space that not only meets your functional needs but also impresses clients and keeps your employees motivated. From creating a clear project plan to incorporating sustainable design elements, these best practices will ensure that your commercial refurbishment is a success, so read on to discover the top commercial building refurbishment strategies to bring your vision to life.
⦁ Setting Clear Objectives
Before embarking on any commercial refurbishment project, it’s essential to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve. Setting clear objectives can help you stay focused on your goals and ensure that you transform your space into a functional and inviting workplace. When setting your objectives, consider your business’s needs and the requirements of your employees and clients. For instance, do you need more space for meetings, or do you need to create a more collaborative workspace?
⦁ Planning a Timeline and Budget
Once you have defined your objectives, you can start to plan your refurbishment project. A crucial aspect of any commercial refurbishment project is planning a timeline and budget that includes all the tasks involved in the refurbishment and an estimated completion date for the entire project.
When planning your budget, it’s essential to consider all the costs involved in the project, including a breakdown of the time and expenses associated with each stage of the project. These costs should include materials, labour, and any additional services required, such as electrical or plumbing work, and an additional amount for any unexpected costs that may arise during the project. Outsourcing your commercial refurbishment needs is a cost-effective and efficient way to ensure that your entire project is planned, managed, and completed by experienced professionals who can oversee every aspect of the process, without relying on multiple contractors and non-specialists.
⦁ Hiring Experienced Professionals
It’s essential to work with experienced professionals who have a proven track record in completing successful commercial building refurbishment projects on budget and on time. They can collaborate with you to develop a detailed project plan or they can work on your behalf to create a space that incorporates the latest design trends and advancements. Depending upon what industry your business operates within, you should also look for professionals who have experience working on similar projects and can provide positive case studies from past clients before you engage their services.
When developing a project plan with professionals, it’s essential to ensure that you have a clear understanding of their scope of work and the timeline for the project. You should also establish a clear budget for the project and ensure that the work the professionals suggest can be completed within your budget. During the project itself, the contractors will be responsible for giving you frequent updates on the progress of your refurbishment and should be proactive in discussing their work and any changes that need to be made once the project has started.
⦁ Optimising Space
Optimising space is an essential aspect of any commercial refurbishment project, and a core reason why many businesses choose to undertake refurbishment. You should consider your business’s needs and the requirements of your employees and clients when designing the space, as well as unique or innovative ways to utilise the current space. For example, if you have a large room with a high ceiling, then partitions and new floors can divide the space into functional offices, or you may want to replace office cubicles with more meeting rooms or breakout areas for your staff.
You should also consider the flow of the space and ensure that it is easy to navigate. This can help to improve productivity, as employees and visitors can navigate the space more easily, and make the space more inviting for employees and clients alike. Working with specialist contractors is an excellent way to maximise the available space and meet your business needs as they offer an expert, outside perspective that will bring new ideas to the table that your organisation may not have considered.
⦁ Incorporating Brand Identity
Incorporating your brand identity into your commercial refurbishment project can help to create a cohesive and professional look, and can be reflected throughout the design of the space, including in the choice of colours, signage, and branding materials used.
You should work with a professional designer to develop a clear, workplace-wide design concept that reflects your brand identity and creates a welcoming and inviting space for employees and clients, to create a positive impression on everyone who interacts with your business and to strengthen your brand image.
⦁ Embracing Sustainability
Investing in sustainable design, whether that be the materials used or the energy-efficient upgrades incorporated into your design, is an important part of any commercial refurbishment project. When designing your refurbishment, consider including elements such as energy-efficient lighting and appliances, sustainable materials, and water-saving fixtures, as these will benefit your business for years to come by reducing your energy and water bills. Identifying opportunities for sustainable design will also reduce your business’s environmental impact in the long-run, and showcase your company-wide commitment to sustainability and taking responsibility for the impact your business has on the planet.
⦁ Prioritising Staff Wellbeing
Prioritising the overall wellbeing and staff-satisfaction of your employees is an important aspect of any workplace refurbishment project, and you should consider the needs and requirements of all your staff at every stage when designing the space. This may include creating a more collaborative workspace or providing quiet areas for focused work, as well as ergonomic furniture, adjustable lighting, and temperature control systems. Prioritising staff can help to create a more productive and motivated workforce, as well as encourage highly-qualified new employees to apply to your business and can also help to reduce staff turnover.
⦁ Maximise Accessibility and Flexibility
Maximising accessibility and flexibility is an important aspect of any commercial refurbishment project. You should consider the needs of all users of the space, including those with disabilities or mobility issues, which should include installing ramps, lifts, and accessible toilets.
You should also consider the flexibility of the space and ensure that it can be adapted to meet changing business needs as your company develops. This may include creating a partitioned or modular workspace with walls that can be reconfigured as needed, or to make bigger communal areas as your workforce increases or hosts events.
⦁ Consider Existing Infrastructure
Whilst the purpose of investing in building refurbishment is to update and revamp your commercial premises, it is beneficial to consider the existing infrastructure of your premises to best utilise the space and any existing features. This could include maintaining the initial layout of the building, or changing it completely, or having the existing wall of an updated historical building encased in glass as a feature wall.
Considering the existing infrastructure also involves identifying any issues with the current layout or materials, including examining the building’s structure and electrical or plumbing systems, to identify areas that could be improved, updated, or made more efficient.
⦁ Curate a Collaborative Space
Fostering a workplace culture of collaboration and honest communication is essential for any business, and commercial refurbishment projects are an excellent opportunity to tailor the workplace to the needs of your staff and create a space that facilitates collaboration. This may include creating open-plan workspaces, such as communal offices, breakout rooms, or meeting rooms, as well as design elements such as whiteboards, projectors, and comfortable seating for lengthy discussions. Creating a collaborative space can help to improve productivity and creativity and can also help to foster a positive workplace culture.
Investing in Commercial Building Refurbishment Services
Investing in professional commercial refurbishment services is an excellent way to transform your space into an inspiring and updated workplace. By following these best practices, you can create a space that not only meets your functional needs, but also impresses clients and keeps your employees motivated and energised.
With the right commercial refurbishment strategies, and reliable contractors, you can bring your vision to life and create a space that is both functional and visually appealing. If you are planning your own commercial building refurbishment this autumn, or in the new year, contact Universal Contracting today to discuss your ideas and explore their refurbishment services.