When it’s time to move office or simply refurbish your workplace, it's important to work with a company you feel comfortable and confident with. By knowing what to ask, you'll be able to make an informed decision about who you would like to work with to you create the perfect space environment for your business.
Below are some key considerations of any commercial fit out company before signing on the dotted line.
What To Consider When Choosing your Commercial Fit Out Company
Experience and Track Record
When you're looking for a commercial Design & Fit-Out company to work with you on your project, make sure that you are happy that they have the relevant experience and have a proven track record in delivering on their projects. The company should be happy to provide you with client references and examples of previous projects for you to review.
Insurances
It's important to ensure that your fit out partner of choice has adequate and up to date insurance & PI cover for the works they are to undertake. A reputable firm will also ensure that any and all works will comply with current building guidelines and will be signed off on completion by a certified Building Control Inspector.
Communication
Communication is one of the keys to a successful working relationship with any partnership. It’s important that you feel comfortable with both the company and the individuals that you will be working with, and you are happy with the level and content of communication they provide. Be happy with the people you will be working with and confident that they will be with you throughout the process. There should be little or no ’grey areas’ at any stage, from design, planning, budgeting and programming. The more information is provided the easier it is to make decisions and the less likely it is that there will be any unwelcome surprises at the end of the project. Understand and agree together the process of how you will be informed and updated on all aspects of the works and ensure a single point of contact on both sides to eliminate any confusion.
Understanding Project Timelines
Make sure that everyone involved understands your timescales, this is particularly important if the project relates to an office move. Discuss with your chosen fit out contractor the time frame to complete the works and include this within your overall Project Plan. A reputable firm will produce a detailed Programme of Works providing you with a timeline, highlighting when decisions need to be made and orders placed in order to meet your Practical Completion date. This is the date that your contractor officially hands the building back to you for occupation.
Payment Terms
Your chosen fit out contractor will have their standard payment terms. These should be clear and unambiguous and included within all the quotes generated for the delivery of your project. The payment terms will generally take a form of a Staged Payment Plan and include a retention at the completion of the work to cover any small snagging that might be required. It is important that these terms are understood, agreed, and actioned for a smooth and stress-free working relationship.
Sustainable Projects
Environmental and sustainable concerns are an important element of office design for many organisations. Discuss with your chosen fit-out partner how best to incorporate these within your new scheme. There are numerous options available, from products that are easily recyclable to choosing products and services that use recycled materials or waste as a raw material. Using eco-friendly materials and techniques to lower environmental impacts but also to create beautiful spaces that last longer than ever before is achievable.
We believe that these were some of the key considerations you should ask of any potential commercial fit out partner – if you would like to learn more about office design and how it can be tailored around the requirements of your business, why not consider getting in touch with the experts here at Fresh Workspace?
Take A Fresh Approach To The Design of Your Workplace
At Fresh
Workspace, we produce imaginative, practical, and cost-efficient office design solutions
that reflect the needs of your business. Our team has a wealth of industry experience,
each member having a unique skillset and knowledge that plays a key role in the
delivery of our projects. We offer a truly bespoke solution to whatever your
office design and build requirements may be.
Sustainability is at the centre of everything we do – we take a responsible attitude towards our own impact on the environment as well as that of our clients. We work with suppliers who use materials from sustainable sources and apply sustainable principles in their manufacturing processes and supply chain.
Interested In Bespoke Office Design? Get In Touch With Us Today!
Please take some time
to review our website where you will learn more about the different office
design and build services we provide. Within our case
studies page, you will find some of our most recent projects providing detailed
information on the services provided along with images of the completed works.
To learn more about how we can bring your own workplace design ideas to life, you can contact us for an informal chat by calling 0800 0943 1255. Alternatively, any e-mail enquiries can be sent to info@freshworkspace.com