All you need to know about an office fit-out

All You Need to Know About an Office Fit-Out

You’ve probably heard the term “office fit-out.” You can guess what this is, even if you’ve never spoken these words.

But if you think that this type of activity is basic and that you can throw money at it and expect the perfect results, you should read on. Office fit-outs take time and dedication.

What Is an Office Fit-Out?

Before we go into more detail, let’s see what an office fit-out entails. An office fit-out is a process of making an interior part of an office space suitable for the entire workforce. So, in essence, office spaces are designed to fit the needs of the office occupants. The end goal is comfort, inspiration, and business prosperity.

Why Perform a Fit-Out?

Unless you’re a company that operates on a remote basis, you need to consider performing a proper office fit-out before starting your work.

For one, a professional fit-out office interior that’s enjoyable to spend time in will positively affect your workers. The “enjoyable to spend time” part is crucial here. If your employees don’t enjoy the office interior, they’re not going to want to spend time there. And when people have to spend 40 or more hours per week in a place they don’t really like, this will be reflected in their professional performance.

There’s no question about it, an office fit-out will boost your employees’ productivity, and may even increase their loyalty and overall work satisfaction.

Office Fit-Out Categories

Maybe you’ve heard about the terms “category a fit-out” or “category B fit-out.” It’s important that you know what they mean.

Category A fit-outs deal with various technical processes, such as mechanical and electrical installations, fire systems, ceilings, AC, lighting, etc. Although these aspects are a bit more complex than most business owners care to know about, you should brush up on the basics here and remain involved with this part of the fit-out. Don’t just leave it to the professionals.

Category B fit-outs pertain to developing the internal space in more detail. If the category a fit-out means drawing on an empty canvas, the Category B office fit-out deals with filling out the canvas. Think of it as micromanagement – making the office space more functional and customized. This fit-out type deals with IT common rooms, private spaces, reception, doors, floor, wall, and ceiling finishes, various perks, game rooms, furniture, etc.

How Much Does It Cost?

This isn’t an easy question to answer. For one, this varies from place to place. For instance, performing an office fit-out in central London will set you back a lot. Some other towns are likely to be lighter on your budget. Then, there’s the factor of the size of the required fit-out. Are you looking for a simple office refurbishment or a full-blown, fit-out from scratch?

You also have to consider the aspect of luxury. If your aim is top-notch quality furniture, materials, devices, etc., the cost will obviously go up.

Finally, consider the amount of work that needs to be done. Maybe the entire electrical grid needs installing? Maybe everything is already in place? Consider checking the building before opting for it, or at least before planning an office fit-out.

In fact, these are all considerations that are well worth looking into before leasing any office space.

How Long Does an Office Fit-Out Take?

Much like with the previous point, this all depends on various factors. The office size, the work that needs to be done, your requirements, level of luxury, etc.

Should You Do It on Your Own?

If we’re talking about a small office space that needs to fit a few computers, we’re basically talking about a home start-up office. Luxury is not the name of the game here.

On the other hand, if we’re talking about a large office that needs to cater to the needs of multiple employees, boost their productivity, and increase their workspace satisfaction, you’re looking at hiring a professional office fit-out company.

Office Fit-Out Basics

This should cover all the basics that are involved in an office fit-out. The main thing to keep in mind here is that you need to plan it out before hiring an expert. Oh, and set aside a few months for this – it’s not something that you’ll want to rush.