How to save on office fit outs

How to save on office fit outs

Office fit outs can cost a lot of money and it is important to not waste too much. Otherwise, you will be wasting money that could have been spent on other things such as expanding your business.

Office fit outs are important for your business to thrive. They make your employees comfortable while they work hard for you, which in turn leads to an improved company image. If there’s one thing I’ve learnt from running my own businesses it’s this: always save money where you can! With that being said, here’s five ways on how to save on office fit outs without compromising the image of your business.

Keep reading for some great ideas on how to save on office fit outs.

1) Research: The best way to ensure that you don’t spend more than your initial budget is to research – lots and lots of research. Before committing yourself to a company, ask for references and examples of previous projects that they’ve completed, along with a portfolio containing images and information about them – always ask to see this before signing any contracts!

2) Choose a Cheaper Location: If your business will not be affected by being in an area that is not as nice – it would be better to choose a cheaper location. It could mean saving thousands! It’s always best to shop around for cheap offices before you commit to making a final decision. This will allow you to find the best deal possible. Rather than renting new office space for five years, look for something else that’s cheaper after two or three years…

3) Negotiate the Rent Price: There are many options open to you when it comes to negotiating the price of rent. You could add more years onto the contract or add on services such as using their printers, faxes and photocopiers.

4) Keep Utilities Low: Make sure your employees know how to turn off lights and computers when they go home for the day. They should also make sure appliances are turned off at the wall when they are not in use. They should turn their air-conditioning down to 25 degrees Celsius, and only heat up water when they need to wash their hands etc.

5) Ask for Discounts: All big companies offer employees discounts on everything, but many smaller businesses forget about this! They could save hundreds by asking if their business is eligable for any discounts. It may even be worth joining certain loyalty schemes too!

6) Keep Employees Happy: Keeping your employees happy with good conditions is another way of saving money in your office fit outs – it will mean that it takes less time for them to come back after lunch or whenever they take a long brake.

7) Keep Plants Around Your Workstations: Plants and flowers will help you save money on office fit outs as they oxygenate the air, creating a fresh work environment which helps your employees concentrate.

8) Ask Companies to Help Sponsor Your Fit Out: Write a letter to companies in the area offering them free advertising if they sponsor part of your fit out. It could be as simple as getting their logo printed on one wall or asking for equipment such as furniture. Promoting local business is always a great way to get returning customers.

9) Use Open Plans for Productivity: There are many benefits of open plan offices, the primary one being more collaboration opportunities. You can’t underestimate how much your employees will be able to accomplish if they are all in the same room together, talking and exchanging ideas. Employees who continuously work with other team members are more productive than those who don’t, which means that open office plans can boost productivity levels throughout your business .

10) Use Online Office Supplies Sellers: Be sure to check out online stores that offer great deals on office supplies. There are many of these types of sites that sell everything from printer paper to brand new printers at an incredibly discounted rate…

11) Buy Standard Brand Names: Be sure to only buy standard brand names when it comes to items such as printers and paper. You don’t want printers that are going to break on you within a few months of use, so always opt for top name brands that will last. This is also true when it comes to purchasing printer paper; if it’s cheap then most likely your printouts won’t come out clear because the paper isn’t good quality.

12) Don’t Invest in Expensive Furniture: It’s important not to invest in expensive furniture when starting out your business. You can purchase cheap furniture that will get the job done, and then invest in more expensive furniture when you start making a profit.

13) Buy Your Furniture From Second Hand Stores or Thrift Shops: Even though this is the last place people think about when purchasing furniture, it’s actually one of the best places to go. You’ll have access to a range of different furniture that will suit your office decor, at a much cheaper price!

14) Shop Around for Office Furniture: Be sure to compare prices between local stores selling the same product as well as online retailers. With so many options now available it’s easy to find what you’re looking for at the lowest cost possible.

15) Avoid Expensive Fittings and Accessories: There are some pretty expensive fittings out there which can add up quickly when purchasing for an office fit out. Try not to break the bank on expensive curtain track, skirting boards and air conditioning units, because they really aren’t necessary in most cases. Also consider using paper plates and cups instead of crockery and glassware to reduce the cost of your office fit out.

16) Avoid Early Acquisition Fees: No one likes being gouged before they have even decided whether or not a product is going to deliver what they need! To avoid this, try and source products which don’t charge early acquisition fees. While many ‘classically’ known brands tend to charge a hefty fee, there are plenty of others that won’t do the same thing.

17) Negotiate Service Costs When Possible: Most people don’t realise it but if you call up an Office Fit Out company and ask them for a quote over the phone, then mention that you’ve been offered a better price by another company – more often than not their prices will come down. This means that you can ‘play’ companies off against each other to get a cheaper price.

18) Get Your Quote In Writing: If an Office Fit Out company gives you a quote verbally rather than in writing, then ask them for it in writing – many have been know to use this as an opportunity to play around with prices. They will either give you a contract with a very high retainer…or they’ll simply change the price before sending a written agreement through.

19) Ask Questions: Any good office fit out company should be more than willing to answer any questions – if they aren’t, try and find one which is! Fitting out your workplace isn’t something which should be left up in the air; make sure that you know exactly what’s included in their quote.

20) Previous Projects: A good office fit out company will have full details of previous projects that they’ve completed, along with a portfolio containing images and information about them – always ask to see this before signing any contracts!

21) Get a Second Quote: Don’t stop at one office fit out quote – keep shopping around until you find the right company for you. Remember, not all companies are as reputable as others, so make sure that you do your research thoroughly before committing.

The Bottom Line: Office Fit Outs can be expensive – there’s no denying it! But this doesn’t mean that you should pay through the nose for anything but the very best. Keep these essential tips in mind, and you should be able to find an affordable solution for your office fit out no matter what the budget!

Office fitout prices

Whether you’re going through a renovation or looking to move your office, chances are you’ll be doing some sort of office fitout. Office fitouts can range from a simple re-painting of the walls, to a complete internal rebuild and refit out with all new furniture, partitions and decor.

Doing an office fitout can seem daunting, but by being aware of common mistakes made during this process it will become much easier for you as the client. Here is a list of some things that people have done wrong in their office fitout processes which could save you money if worked around accordingly:

If there was one major lesson learned from past clients who have engaged in large 15+ person office relocations – it’s simply not to rush the process, as it will only result in frustration and ultimately more time and money spent.

As a client its important to ask yourself – “do i really need 5+ different workstations for my employees?” before you sign the dotted line on your new office fitout price quote. It’s surprising how many times people have been quoted a high price for their office fitout just because they’ve asked their contractor to provide them with too many options that were not necessary for their business operations. If there is a good case for needing lots of individual spaces then go ahead, but if not then don’t be surprised when your fitout costs are close to $1500 per person (or at least that has been our experience).

The mistakes companies make when it comes to office fitouts:

– asking the contractor to quote individual desks/cost per desk instead of shared work spaces where possible (if you can get away with it)

– providing too many different types of “team” areas for solitary workers and not having enough communal space for employees who like to bounce ideas off each other

– providing too much storage & supply space, particularly in cost conscious environments. This is one area that we see people consistently over provide in and usually leads to a waste of space and ultimately more money spent on fitout costs. Generally an open plan design with no closed off offices is preferable unless they are private meeting rooms, especially if paying by sqm.

– allowing contractors to come up with creative new designs that don’t fit the branding of the company or who aren’t on brand

– not thinking about how people will access different areas of the office. There are many creative ways to overcome this issue but if space is limited then consideration must be given early in the planning phase to ensure productivity isn’t lost because employees can’t get where they need to go quickly enough

– not providing for effective communication between departments/business units within a company. This includes things such as good video conferencing equipment and infrastructure, especially in an open plan design

These are just some examples that we have seen over our 20+ years working with various businesses across all industry sectors . The main point is that no matter what type of office fitout you require, you need to consider all possibilities and provide for them accordingly.

The cost of an office fitout can vary greatly depending on a number of things.

1. How much space is required?

Most fitout companies will offer you a price per square meter to fit out your new office or business premises, so the larger the area you occupy, the greater the fit out costs will be.

2. What type of company are they going to be working from?

If your company wishes to have a lot of natural light coming into their work area then window fittings and skylights may need to be installed. This will increase your prices because more materials and equipment needs to be used in order for this to occur.

3. Will they require any specialist equipment such as lifts or furnaces?

An elevator will need to be installed if your company would like their employees to have an easy way of travelling up and down between floors. A furnace is another additional cost that needs to be looked at as you need to make sure your building has the appropriate heating elements.

4. Is there any special technology required for the office fit out job?

If your company requires cables, wires or pipes running through their office then this installation work can become expensive because it has to be done by licensed professionals. This also applies to air conditioning units requiring ducting installations or plumbing within an office fitout .

5. Will they need phone lines installed?

Phone lines are usually provided service providers but sometimes some offices require their own private phone lines for special order equipment.

7. Will there be any additional fees that are not mentioned in the initial quote?

Most of the time an office fitout job’s costs are clear and all-encompassing but you cannot ignore the importance of anything extra that pops up during your renovation or construction work. For example, if they need to hire outside experts on parts of your building project – such as electrical engineers or heating technicians, this can come at a cost which was not mentioned beforehand.       We hope this article helped you get started with coming up with some ideas about price factors involved when creating an office fit out within your business premises!

The usual process for most companies is to consult some type of fit out specialist and then learn about what they offer at their disposal as well as the price. A quote is then given that includes all factors such as expenses for construction, costs involved in creating a business space and so on.

Once you have had an initial look at everything put forward by your chosen company, firstly go back and look through them carefully before coming up with further questions if something isn’t clear enough or doesn’t sit right with you. This way, when it comes to actually thinking about prices, you will have already thought about every factor involved because it has been done over time rather than all at once being handed down to you across a single table.

So, how much is a good price for an office fitout?

The prices provided by companies tackling your commercial space will most likely be between the range of $20 per square metre to as high as $75 per square metre. Bear in mind that it is important to look at any contracts very closely before making a decision. A few questions you might want to ask yourself are:

How long do I have to sign this contract for? Is there a penalty if I terminate early? What does each figure include and exclude? Do I have the rights after the contract expires to take away what has been installed or moved into my business with me? This would be ideal if they tell you yes because then you’ll have saved money from being spent on things you won’t need anymore.

Your landlord will most likely require that you also pay for the cost of installation, which can amount to many thousands depending on how large your office is and what’s being installed. Furniture usually cannot be installed without labour costs attached. Bear in mind that furniture companies are not always to blame for this price increasing because it is often up to the owner or building manager who decides how much they want to charge you for installation. Sometimes, if you negotiate well enough with the furniture company, they might agree to take away their installation fee completely! This can be a great way of saving money when buying new furniture!

So there you have it – the 3 types of fees associated with an office fitout. It’s worth knowing what each is, as it enables you to ask relevant questions and negotiate the best price for your office fitout. The more knowledgable you are about this process, the better chance you have of getting a good deal.

Please remember, don’t be afraid to ask questions! For everything you want clarified make sure to include it in your written agreement and ensure there will not be any misunderstandings down the line. Also try to get an itemized list detailing every cost component before signing off on any work or payment – this has saved many people considerable amounts of money during their office fitout! Happy designing!

12 tips for finding a commercial fit out contractor

Are you in the market for a new office fitout?

If you’re in the process of looking for an office fitout contractor, you’re likely feeling overwhelmed by all of the options. How do you know which one is right for your business? And how can you be sure that you’re getting a good deal?

If so, it’s important to find the right contractor to work with. Here are four tips to help you find the right one. There are a lot of factors to consider when finding the right contractor for your office fitout project. But with the right planning and research, you can find the ideal contractor for your needs.

1) Ask around for recommendations. Chances are, someone you know has had a positive experience working with a fitout contractor. Ask them who they would recommend and what they liked about their experience.  At the same time, ask business owners you know to see if they have any recommendations for you.

2) Use an industry professional. There are lots of websites that allow you to search for a contractor by location or type of service. This allows you to find someone local, but also gets rid of some of the guesswork when it comes to selecting the right fitout contractor for your needs. Look for someone who is willing to work with you in creating a design that suits your business’s needs and has experience with similar services.  A good commercial fitout contractor should also be able to provide insight on when it makes sense to outsource certain aspects of the project or bring them in-house. For example, if you need to hire a plumber or electrician for the contracts, it might make more sense for you to do that rather than having them come in and install your plumbing/electrical systems. In terms of financials, they should be able to provide an up-front quote as well as ongoing cost tracking so you know where your money is going throughout the process.

3) Get samples!

4) After hiring a contractor use their expertise but always remember they are working for you. If something doesn’t seem right then let them know about it. They will appreciate the feedback and not only fix any issues but also learn from them which means better quality work next time around. Remember this is YOUR business not theirs so they need to provide a product that is ultimately going to work for you.

5) Check out online reviews. There are plenty of review websites out there where you can learn more about a contractor’s reputation. Read through what past clients have said and see if their experiences match up with your own needs and expectations.

6) Request references. Asking for previous client references is step one in the process of vetting your prospective contractor. Call up past clients to find out what type of work was done, how much it cost and if they would hire them again. There’s no better source than a satisfied customer so don’t be afraid to reach out!

7) Set expectations early on. The first meeting with a contractor should not only include a discussion about what you expect from their business but also when you expect it to be completed by. Knowing this ahead of time will help set the tone early on and ensure that everyone is speaking the same language going forward so neither party is left disappointed at any point along the way.

8) Ask for documentation . At the end of the day, it’s always a good idea to get things in writing. This can be done via email, text message or even over the phone depending on your preference and how comfortable you are with technology! If something is important enough to put in writing then there should be no hesitation when it comes to following through with this step.

9) Request quotes from multiple contractors. This will give you a better sense of what each contractor’s rates are in order to make the best possible decision based on your budget.

10) Be honest . You would be surprised how many people don’t even bother to update their contractor on any changes with regards to their home improvement project, whether it is playing around with window measurements or simply changing paint colors at the last minute. A Quality Contractor will always have the most up-to-date information for this reason along with having a better understanding of what goals you’re trying to achieve when designing your space.

11) Communication is key . When it comes to home improvement projects, contractors are more than willing to work with you on any changes that need to be made. A bad experience can occur when there are constant changes being made without any notice or feedback from the contractor’s side. This often leaves both parties feeling frustrated and confused… especially when you’re expecting something different to come out of the process.

12) Listen, observe and trust your gut . Don’t jump into anything right away just because your office neighbor did it or paying a little extra for that gorgeous countertop just because your contractor “highly recommends” it. Take some time to think about what is best for you before making any final decisions. Ask for referrals from friends or colleagues who have used a contractor recently. Meet with potential contractors in person and ask lots of questions to make sure they are a good fit for your business. Meet with potential contractors and ask lots of questions.

Finding a good office fitout contractor can be difficult. You need to find someone who is professional, trustworthy, and capable of meeting your specific needs. If you’re looking for some tips on how to find the best contractor for your business, read on. We’ll give you four tips that will help you make the right decision.

Following these tips will help you find the perfect contractor for your needs and ensure a successful office fitout project.

17 keys to an effective office fitout

Are you in the process of planning an office fitout? If so, it’s important to make sure you plan it correctly. A poorly planned office fit out can be costly and inefficient. However, with a little thought and planning, you can create an office space that is both functional and stylish.

If you’re in the market for a new office, or your current one needs a refresh, it’s important to do things right. Not only will an effective office fitout make your employees happier and more productive, but it can also increase the value of your business.

When it comes to the office, appearances are everything. A well-designed and thought-out office space can have a positive impact on your business, while a poorly designed one can have a negative effect.

An office fit out can be a costly and time-consuming process, but with the right planning, it can also be a great way to improve productivity and create an inspiring work environment. When it comes to office design, there are a few key things that you need to get right for your space to be effective.

A well-designed office can inspire productivity and help your team work better together. But not all offices are created equal. With so many options out there, how do you know what will work best for your team?

Here are 10 keys to an effective office fit out.

1. Start with your team

Before you even start thinking about design, take some time to understand what motivates your employees and how they like to work. This means taking the time to meet everyone on the team and asking them questions like:

– What are your most important tools? (And no, we don’t just mean the computers you work on!)

– What’s your ideal working environment?

– How do you like to interact with your team members? Do you need privacy, or are open spaces better for you?

2. Get the technology right

Your office design should take into account not only how your team likes to work but also how they prefer to communicate and get their jobs done. So before you start planning your space, understand what kinds of technologies your people will need. Things like:

– Wifi – it needs to be reliable enough that everyone can check email throughout the day without interruption. And no one wants any dead zones!

– Teleconferencing – if some employees regularly chat with colleagues elsewhere in the company, look for spaces that are more conducive to impromptu meetings between people who don’t sit near each other.

– Tablets, laptops, and smartphones – if your team members do a lot of typing on their PCs, give them desks with space for monitors and keyboards so they can type comfortably. But remember to keep your local printer in an easily accessible location.

3. Let the light in

Visual distractions caused by too much clutter or not enough daylight on computer screens are common problems in offices today, according to Dr. Sally Augustin, author of “The Biophilic Design Manual”.

So if colleagues are having trouble reading documents on-screen, visual clarity becomes even more important when it’s time to choose furniture. Look for furniture lines with adjustable task lights to ensure everyone is comfortable under the different lighting conditions that occur throughout the workday.

5. Allocate space for flexible working

One of the most important decisions you’ll make when designing your office is how much space each person needs, or could potentially need. According to the Gensler Survey 2015, over 50% of companies are now offering some form of flexibility in their workplaces, which means it’s key to think beyond fixed desks and offices. So if your team members don’t need fixed spaces – because they’re salespeople who visit clients every day, for example – choose furniture systems that can easily be configured to provide mobile workstations as people move around during their day.

6.How much space is needed in a traditional office?

Give them an idea of the amount of space they have in a traditional office and any costs associated with it. This can be assumed to be fixed desks and offices for employees who do not require mobile workstations.

7. How many people work? Provide stats on how many people will need this space, how much space they will need, etc. In general, these numbers should be averages that companies have seen from experience when building their own offices or when working with other companies on updating their office spaces.

8.Give them a range if possible: Some companies may allow a little more leeway for individual employees around the average while others may want to stick to the average given by data from other companies as closely as possible, so include a range for those who want to be more exact.

9. Budget: There should also be a budget given for this project before deciding on the final amount of space needed or how much it will cost to move into the new office space. This makes sure that there are no overages because somebody was not thinking about costs when designing the office layout.

10. Aesthetic changes: Consider any aesthetic changes that may need to take place before moving your employees in—colors and paint, perhaps, or furniture if necessary. It might be helpful to find an interior design company during this step to make sure that everything looks great together before you sign off on everything.

11.Layouts: You should never choose a layout that has employees sitting perpendicular to each other because it’s distracting and makes it more difficult for the employees to communicate with one another.

12. Availability: The office space needs to be designed in such a way that individuals can see what is going on around them by looking up from their desks and out into the open area instead of just having sections where people can’t see others. It might even help increase creativity and collaboration if this layout is done correctly.

13. Business needs: Always consider your business’s specific needs when designing an office, especially as your business changes over time or adds new services and products. This will prevent you from needing to change the floor plan as your business grows and improves, which would cost even more money.

14. Divisions: It’s important to have some separation between office spaces so that people can have offices or quiet areas for focused work, but it’s just as important to have a common area where employees can interact. This will encourage them to collaborate and communicate with each other.

15. Location: Offices should be centrally located in the space, not towards the outside of the building or on separate floors where employees would need separate elevators or stairwells to get there. Employees won’t feel like they are apart from the rest of their company if everyone is together in one large room instead of being split up into different sections.

16. Accessibility: The best office design layout will make an employee’s daily tasks flow easily from start to finish, which means considering how things are placed in the office. It should be easy to find files, look up contact information and move from one project to the next without getting lost or wasting time trying to get where they need to go.

17. Open-plan offices: Many different types of offices will work effectively for their company, but it is important not to fall into the trap of thinking that open-plan offices are always more productive. While they are conducive to collaboration and the free flow of ideas, there could be times when an employee needs some space and quiet to concentrate on a project. In this case, an enclosed private office works well as it offers privacy from distractions while still allowing employees to access resources easily if needed.

If you’re looking for an affordable office fitout, our specialists will take care of you.