10 common mistakes to avoid when taking on an office fitout project.

A good office fitout and refurbishment comes with many benefits – the most noticeable being the boost in staff productivity and wellbeing.

However, these kinds of projects are not always the easiest to plan and execute.   Even with endless amounts of time and money, there will be many hurdles to overcome when embarking on this journey.

To help make this process a bit easier, we have outlined 10 common mistakes that are commonly made when embarking on an office fitout project.  So have a read on how to help avoid these.

a modern office breakout area

 

  1. Inadequate planning

Planning is the first and most vital step in setting up a well-designed office fitout.  Even if you are pressed for time, do not contemplate skipping this vital stage.

Take time to collaborate with your contractor to optimise your workspace and stretch your budget with some effective planning strategies.

 

  1. Inappropriate budgeting

It is important to budget effectively and be mindful of your expenditure.   Setting up a comprehensive budget before undertaking your fitout is a must.  The budget should be decided keeping in mind all the costs involved, therefore, it is better to seek professional assistance.  Whilst making budgetary decisions you should allocate a contingency percentage to allow for unexpected problems that may arise during the process.

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  1. Continuing DIY aspirations

Many businesses make the mistake of thinking office interior design is a simple DIY job that can be done in house, thinking it will save time and money.  In most cases, this is in fact the opposite.

First and foremost, you can save yourself an unnecessary distraction, and concentrate on your business, which really matters.

Secondly, you may overlook certain things which could result in spending more time and money to fix it.

And last of all, professional contractors will be there to ensure the transformation process is perfectly executed, from planning phase to implementation.

 

  1. Forgetting about the future

When undergoing an office fitout, you must consider where the business will be in 3-5 years’ time from now.  What resources will you need?  Where should your office be?  How big will your office need to be and how many staff do you expect to have?

Forecast for what you need and accommodate into the planning stage for easy low-cost expansion.

 

  1. Disconnected from nature

Research studies have shown that spending too much time in artificially lit and poorly ventilated environments has a negative impact on your health. 

Adding natural elements into your workspaces, such as fresh air, natural sunlight, and plants, can boost employee productivity and wellbeing by nearly 70%.  This can be done by way of skylights, windows, green walls, plants, rooftop gardens and air purification systems.

a close up of plants

  1. Ignoring market trends

Office design trends are fast changing.  You need to learn different ideas before creating a design for your own workspace.  Modern workspaces are all about staff and their experiences interacting with the space.  It is not just about the physical environment.  The space has significant impact on your employee’s productivity, creativity, and wellbeing levels, so its best to stay up to date on market trends and research.

 

  1. Copying other unsuitable designs

Taking inspiration from design magazines, corporate websites or Pinterest is one thing – but to try to replicate the same design instead of creating a fitout that is uniquely yours is a bad move that could have a negative impact on your business.

The design concept needs to be true to your company and brand.

 

  1. Avoiding landlords

Unless you are fortunate enough to own the premises, you should keep your landlord always informed about the project and get their consent.  The building may have certain regulations and restrictions that may be present in your tenancy contract.  This will avoid any costly legal battles in the future.

a building surrounded by trees

  1. Never Forget your employees

Employees spend most of their waking hours in the office, so when starting the design process, it is key to keep them constantly in mind.  It is good to find out what motivates them and what they think should be included in the office space.

This also helps with getting the employees on board as the human mind doesn’t like change.

 

  1. Skipping on collaboration spaces

You need to incorporate rooms in your office design where people can go and collaborate in, without disturbing others.  If you don’t give people the means to collaborate, you will stifle innovation and productivity.

a modern meeting room

Taking on an office fitout project can be an exciting experience.  You can successfully achieve a well-designed, innovative and create a workplace where people love to work if you avoid the above office fitout mistakes and put your trust in a reputable interior fitout company – call Accent today on 08456 595911 or email us on interiors@accentoffice.co.uk. We provide interior design, office refurbishment, and office relocation services.

View some of our recent projects here https://accentoffice.co.uk/projects/

Photos within this article are used for interest only, and certainly none of the projects / organisations featured made any mistakes during the projects we worked on with them! 😊