How to Cut Costs With Your Office FitOut
And the dos and don’ts of spending and sparing
Every business owner is looking for ways to improve their daily output without being left out-of-pocket. And every successful business owner will tell you just how important it is to invest in your office fit out. But there’s no need to blow your budget when it comes to fitting out your dream commercial space.
One of the biggest mistakes any business can make is to forgo or scale back an office fit out project. There are a number of ways you can cut down on the cost of your office fit out without cutting corners. You’ll actually be doing your startup a massive favour by prioritising your working environment and impressing those prospective clients.
So, let this be your ultimate guide for saving on your office fit out:
Do Opt For an Open Plan Layout
“An open plan project requires less building works, and is therefore a clever initiative to cut costs in the fit out process.”
Euglena Co. Ltd. Offices - Tokyo
Out with the old cellular layouts and in with the new and improved open plan. Internal walls and fixed partitions can divide your office space and thus, close off ideas and innovation. On the contrary, you can maximise collaboration and communication with an open plan layout which opens up the potential of your business.
An open plan project requires less building works, and is therefore a clever initiative to cut costs in the fit out process. An unobstructed environment is also guaranteed to boost the culture of your company. If you still need to delegate zones within your workspace, think low-level partitions and versatile, reconfigurable seating.
Don’t Make Changes Mid-Way Through a Project
“The key is to think of everything beforehand, and to think long and hard about your choices.”
Any modifications you wish to make down the track will come at a price — so it’s a good idea to carefully consider what you want out of your commercial fit out before the project is underway. Changing your mind is human nature. But it can also mean big changes in the direction of your project — and big changes can be costly. The key is to think of everything beforehand, and to think long and hard about your choices.
But don’t be fooled — limiting your ideas in order to save a little now could end up costing you more down the track. It’s a good idea to ensure your fit out can adapt to any future changes or growth your business could expect. Factoring in the bigger picture will help you save money down the track — so plan your alterations accordingly.
Do Make the Most of What You’ve Got
“So stay put and refurbish or tweak your existing space to divert the hefty expenses of relocating.”
You can utilise valuable space by simply renovating your current office — moulding it into a dream workspace that’s built for innovation and success. A small office with big ideas has all the ingredients for a success story. So stay put and refurbish or tweak your existing space to divert the hefty expenses of relocating.
If your current office feels small, consider tearing down any walls that may be closing off your space. If you’re starting a business from scratch there are ways in which you can lower your budget. Keeping your existing infrastructure relocation to a minimum and recycling any existing joinery or workstations will help keep a tight rein on your budget. Fast Fitouts are the experts in opening up the possibilities of any commercial space, with alteration and refurbishment solutions for every business.
Fast Fitouts CEO Adam Parker shares his alteration principles on keeping the price under control for his clients.
“Try to minimise the altering of services such as fire systems, air conditioning and plumbing; and if possible, design around what's already in place. Another way to cut costs is to reduce the urge for custom-made joinery, fixtures and fittings," he explains.
Don’t Make Too Many Changes to Your Existing Blueprint
“With less on-site construction comes the freedom to distribute your budget elsewhere.”
If you’re starting up a new business, avoid selecting a space with a wall plan that steers too far from what you have in mind for your perfect office fit out — choosing the right building can make all the difference in cutting down the overall construction costs.
When you’re on the lookout for a commercial dwelling, consider whether or not the ceiling works and walls will need modification. With less on-site construction comes the freedom to distribute your budget elsewhere. Instead of putting up the walls, create adaptive team-oriented zones with partitioning solutions. Office partitioning doesn’t have to be boring — let the professionals at Fast Fitouts plan an adaptive, collaborative workspace with some unique and aesthetically pleasing ways to partition your office.
Do Hire a One-Stop-Shop Fit Out Expert
“A fit out specialist means fast-tracked completion and less overheads.”
Hire a fit out specialist instead of outsourcing for the range of services you’ll need, including, plumbing and electrical, design, painting and decorating, furniture supply and joinery, and security installation. A fit out specialist means fast-tracked completion and less overheads. It also means you won’t be met with any nasty surprises down the track.
A fit out service can help you save on every aspect of your project. Here’s some advice on ordering from the expert himself.
“Waiting for custom items to arrive can really hold up the fit out process. Clients often find that by selecting stock items, they end up saving a great deal of time and money,” suggests Adam.
Don’t Opt For Costly Floor / Wall Treatments
“The most stylish fit outs aren’t necessarily the most expensive — and you can construct an inspiring workspace without compromising on value for money.”
Try not to go overboard with expensive flooring and wall treatments like tiling and heavy polishes. The most stylish fit outs aren’t necessarily the most expensive — and you can construct an inspiring workspace without compromising on value for money.
Not only is concrete flooring durable, but it’s also one of the most cost effective flooring solutions. You can polish it up with a natural sheen by choosing a light finish, allowing for easy maintenance.
Adam recommends choosing a basic polish to finish off your fit out project in style.
“Select finishes from the commodity range — these finishes are timeless. On-trend finishes are more expensive and just Don’t stand the test of time,” he says.
Wallpaper is the most inexpensive way to create a signature style that’s true to the culture of your company. If you want to achieve a professional, clean look that’s within budget, choose glass wall panelling instead of glass walls. The team at Fast Fitouts has the necessary experience in office refurbishment solutions to ensure your company image is represented accurately through your fit out project.
Do Implement Smart Energy Saving Design Ideas
“LED lighting is an eco-friendly alternative to conventional incandescent lighting schemes which can tire the eyes and exhaust your employee’s productivity.”
NautaDutilh Offices — Rotterdam
A good measure for balancing the cost of an office fit out is to take up some simple energy saving ideas to scale-down those inescapable electricity bills. LED lighting is an eco-friendly alternative to conventional incandescent lighting schemes which can tire the eyes and exhaust your employee’s productivity. You can also implement motion detection for your LED lighting to further cut down your energy consumption. Maximise the use of natural light and fit your office out with large windows and skylights to boost productivity and concentration in the working environment.
Fast Fitouts expertise will work wonders within your budget to achieve the impossible for your office fit out. No matter how big or small the project, Fast Fitouts can stretch your budget to impress clients and inspire colleagues. Get in touch with Adam and the experts on 1300 303 831 or email info@fastfitouts.com.au for a free concept design and pricing service.
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