You’re overlooking the potential of your workplace.
A well-planned office fit out is the key to supporting your staff and helping your business thrive. From boosting productivity to enhancing staff wellbeing, it influences many aspects of your operations – and tackling it doesn’t have to be as daunting as you might initially think.
It all starts with a plan. At Gravity Office Interiors, we’ve developed a streamlined process that gathers the relevant data and insights from your business to understand your needs, employee requirements and space constraints. From this, we can help you execute the ideal interior fit out that benefits everyone.
We’ve compiled this process into one succinct checklist, with the aim of helping you manage your project successfully. We recommend that you bookmark this new office fit out checklist for future reference.
Stage 1: Planning
We know you’re eager to get started, but you’ll need to lay some groundwork first.
– Define Your Office Fit Out
To fully understand your office transformation, you’ll want to know the jargon. This will help you to determine the scope of work that needs to be completed.
- Office Fit Out – This process involves turning a blank space (known as a shell) into a fully furnished and functional workspace. It requires collaboration from everyone, including commercial designers, contractors and various specialists. There are several types, including shell and core, CAT A fit out, CAT B fit out and more, of which you can learn about here.
- Office Refurbishment – This process focuses on upgrading an existing office space. It typically involves extensive strip out work to prepare for new design elements.
– Set Goals & Requirements
You’ll need a clear understanding of your objectives for a successful office fit out. To establish this, we recommend thinking about how renovation works will support your overall business strategy and long-term goals. Are you aiming to improve collaboration among teams? Perhaps you need to create focused work zones to boost productivity.
Of course, you’ll also want to consider the interior scheme of your new office space. Our team is here to help you explore these aspects further, ensuring your initial ideas are refined into a comprehensive plan that meets your specific needs.
– Engage Stakeholders
Early engagement with key stakeholders is essential during the planning phase. We recommend gaining buy-in from management to align the interior fit out with strategic objectives. You can also consult with department heads to allow us to tailor your space to successfully optimise workflow. Equally important is gathering input from employees who will use the space daily – their insights provide valuable perspectives on how the environment can support their day-to-day tasks.
– Establish Budget Requirements
Develop a realistic budget that covers all aspects of the project. We will work closely with you to explore various options and ensure you receive the best value for your investment. Remember, viewing your fit out as a long-term asset that increases productivity and supports employee retention can justify initial costs over time.
– Choose a Fit Out Partner
Selecting the right fit out company can significantly impact your project. Beyond initial considerations like project portfolios and financial aspects, we recommend that you partner with a team that offers comprehensive, end-to-end services. At Gravity Office Interiors, we offer a collaborative approach that makes for seamless communication and minimises disruptions to your business.
Stage 2: Office Consultation & Workplace Assessment
Your initial consultation goes beyond the four walls of your office. We’ll gather real data on your team’s work patterns and preferences, taking into account growth plans. We can then allocate and optimise space in your office that aligns with your needs, budget and project timeline.
– Book Workplace Consultation
At this stage, we’ll discuss those objectives you’ve already outlined. We use a human-centric approach to design, taking the time to understand your employees – from those who prefer permanent desks to those who thrive in flexible and/or remote work arrangements. We can then calculate precise space requirements for each individual to keep them happy and engaged at work.
– Meet Project Manager
We’ll allocate you a dedicated project manager. They’ll act as your main point of contact throughout the entire process, saving you the hassle of organising multiple suppliers and contractors and making communication seamless.
– Schedule Site Visit
It’s time to see your space. A site visit is the perfect chance for us to immerse ourselves in your company’s culture and brand. It’s during this visit that we start visualising your new office space, considering how it can best reflect your company’s identity while meeting practical needs.
– Organise Financing
As an independent, family run business, we know the importance of cash flow. Don’t worry – we’ll work closely with you to understand your budget considerations. In fact, our office fit out calculator can provide you with an indicative figure, accounting for all project costs, from start to end.
We also partner with Focus Finance to offer our customers flexible financing options, including fixed-term leading. This allows you to manage your office fit out costs with affordable monthly instalments.
Stage 3: Office Design
Now it’s over to us. With over 40 years of industry experience and an in-house team of commercial designers, we leverage the collected data and transform this into detailed office design and layout plans.
– Approve Space Plans
Every business is different. What suits one may not fit another. Rather than creating a busy space with multiple work areas, we analyse your employee’s work styles and frequency of time spent in each space. This allows us to create a bespoke design that supports your team, all while maximising the space you have available.
– Approve Office Designs
When your office space plans are ready, we’ll then present an array of visuals and materials for your approval. This includes vision boards, 3D visuals and walkthroughs, physical samples, concept plans and more, showcased in a clear, face-to-face presentation. This process ensures any adjustments to your office design can be made without causing inconvenience or incurring additional expenses.
Our approach is thorough. Your office designs include handpicked office furniture and considered office lighting for your approval. Rest assured that we continually refine your pricing in the background and will quality every stage of your office fit out with you.
Stage 4: Office Fit Out
Welcome to the final stage of your office fit out. This is where your design plans come together and your vision becomes a reality.
– Schedule Installation
If we haven’t established a convenient date in your initial consultation, we’ll determine the best installation timeframe for your business. We’re flexible to meet your needs – just ensure we have easy access to your site and are informed of any obstacles beforehand.
– Complete Strip Out Works
If necessary, we’ll handle the complete strip out of old fixtures and fitting to prepare for your new installations. We ensure efficient and safe removal, and will take care of disposal for you, clearing the way for your fresh office environment.
– Install Office Essentials
Sit back, relax and watch the magic happen. Our in-house team of fitters, some of whom have decades of experience, will install your office basics, including ceilings, walls, floors, doors and more. Having our own team allows for better project control and delivery, taking the pressure off you to manage multiple contractors.
Your dedicated project manager will oversee the entire process. With continual site presence throughout, they’ll also coordinate materials arriving on site.
– Install Office Furniture
With the groundwork completed, we can now focus on installing your office furniture. From ergonomic desks to storage solutions, every piece is carefully placed according to your approved plans.
Stage 5: Handover
Congratulations! Your new office is ready.
– Complete Handover
At this exciting stage, we’ll conduct a complete handover to ensure everything’s in perfect order. These final inspections verify every aspect of your office fit out meets our rigorous standards and aligns with your expectations.
Start Your Office Fit Out Today
To get started, contact our experts today. Our office fit out company offers a complete, end-to-end service to businesses in Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas. With over 40 years of industry expertise, we collaborate with our clients to deliver engaging workplaces where teams thrive.
