In 2017, the American Society of Interior Designers produced a study into the effects of an office redesign. Not only did they experience a 16% rise in employee productivity, but also, based on these improvements, they predicted that they would see a return on their office fit out investment within the first five years of their 10-year lease.
So, if getting your office design right is so important to your staff motivation and even profitability, how do you make sure yours is a success? A big factor is making sure you choose the right local office design and fit out specialists. They will be able to help guide you on everything from big picture design ideas to the smallest details.
In this guide to finding the right office fit out contractors for your Manchester business, we’ll delve into what you need to consider, from assessing your own needs to key accreditations to look out for.
Understanding the scope of your fit out project
Before you can embark on your commercial office fit out, you need to know what success looks like. What goals do you need to achieve and what results do you want to see? You should also assess the scale of refit you want to commit to, as they come in different levels, each covering different aspects of your premises.
The different types of office fit out services include:
- Category A fit outs – cover just the essentials, providing a functional space complete with everything you need to build a productive office, including electrical appliances, fire protection, heating, ventilation and lighting.
- Category B fit outs – create a fully functional, ready-to-use space complete with everything from furniture to technology integrations. This is a turnkey solution, taking you from start to finish with no extra steps.
- Shell and Core fit outs – the most basic option, tackling just the structure of your premises, including walls, floors and ceilings – the ground works for further renovations.
Fit outs can also apply to more than just offices and can be tailored to suit all kinds of industries including retail, hospitality, industrial, sales and more.
Key factors to evaluate before hiring a fit out company
Experience and reputation: choosing a reliable fit out company
One of the biggest indicators you can use when narrowing down your list of commercial office fit out specialists is their reputation and experience. A successful company should have the portfolio and reviews to back it up.
Portfolio and past projects
Look at the company’s portfolio of past projects. Do they demonstrate expertise in your sector and do the designs they’ve produced align with your vision or at least suggest a level of quality you’re happy with?
Client testimonials and reviews
What do their past clients say about them? Dig through a few reviews and try to gauge an impression of the quality of their services. Reviews on the office fit out contractors’ site can be a good starting point, but make sure to look for reviews on third party sites such as Google too.
Certifications and compliance
As always, compliance is key. Look for indicators that a contractor works within required legal guidelines such as the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. You may have to make an enquiry with the firm to find this out, but it’s valuable information.
Design and customisation capabilities
It’s important to assess the design capabilities of a potential office fit out company as well as their ability to tailor their services to your needs. If a provider doesn’t have its own design team, you may need to contract a separate designer.
Project management and timelines
Having your workspace overhauled can become incredibly disruptive if handled poorly. For your own peace of mind, before engaging a specialist you should make sure they can stick to the deadlines they set and that they can effectively manage your project from start to finish. You may be able to obtain this from reviews and case studies, but you could even consider contacting their previous clients for specific feedback if needed.
Budget transparency and cost estimates
Before agreeing to anything, you should ask your office fit out contractor for a breakdown of the costs of your refit. Keep an eye out for any hidden fees or small print – you should look for a provider that’s up-front and transparent about their costs.
Compliance with health and safety regulations
- Check adherence to UK workplace safety laws and fire safety regulations.
- Ensure they have insurance coverage for accidents and property damage.
There are strict guidelines for workplace health and safety in the UK, and it’s important to know your new office fit out will adhere to these. Make sure that your provider understands and abides by key regulations.
Sustainability and energy-efficient fit outs
As the climate crisis accelerates and energy costs continue to rise, you should consider prioritising commercial office fit out specialists that can offer sustainable and energy efficient solutions. That could include everything from the building materials they use to the kind of bulbs they fit or even how they dispose of their waste.
The fit-out process: what to expect
Each office fit out provider may have their own variation on this process, but it should look something like this:
- Quote – to begin with, your prospective provider will offer a quote based on your needs. They may include a site visit in this step to get a better understanding of your premises and how your business works.
- Design – with your quote issued and all the information collected, your office fit out contractor will start designing your new space. Ideally, this should be a collaborative process with opportunities for you to influence the design according to your preferences.
- Delivery – once your design is finished, the delivery phase can begin. This should be managed carefully by your provider to minimise any disruption.
- Handover – finally, your new space will be handed over to you, fitted out and ready to use. Even though the project is now technically complete, you should expect to still be able to contact them with any questions or concerns.
Questions to ask before hiring a fit out company
As well as doing your own research using the suggestions above, there are a few questions you can ask a potential office fit out company:
- How do you ensure timely delivery?
- How are your projects managed?
- Will I have a consistent point of contact throughout my fit out project?
- What aftercare services do you provide?
- How easy will it be for me to have input during the design phase?
- Do you have experience in my industry?
This list is a starting point but is not exhaustive. Consider what you need from your fit out and structure any additional questions around your specific requirements.
Final thoughts
Finding the right fit out provider in Manchester is key to ensuring the success of your office fit out project and, in turn, driving improved staff productivity. You should begin by assessing what you need from your fit out before taking a structured approach to narrowing down a list of potential providers using the pointers above as well as by asking specific questions.
In return, you can expect a happier, more productive (not to mention more profitable) workforce and an office you can be proud of.
