Planning an office renovation can be a daunting task. Everyone likes to work in a stimulating environment. And an office renovation might be just the thing your employees need for a morale boost. But the question is when to start planning your office renovation. In this guide, we are going to give you a complete walkthrough so you can navigate it with ease.
It is important to consider all aspects of a renovation project in order to come up with a realistic time frame. Ideally, it should take about 4 months or so. But this depends on the size and the organization. If you have that time and it works for you right now, you can start with it.
But proper planning is very important as well. Otherwise, you will run into roadblocks and budget constraints. There is no universally right time for an office renovation. It really depends on what works for you now and what your organization's needs are.
Planning An Office Renovation, The Right Way: When And How To Start
To start a successful office renovation, you first need proper planning. That will make things go smoothly. It will ensure that work is not hampered. Office renovation or not, work needs to go on as it is.
So, what can you do to make it smoother? Well, if you want a renovation that does not disrupt the organization’s process and work, finding the perfect time for it is the best way to do so. Give yourself at least 4 months. But the thing is, it can vary.
Depending on your company's size, the time for office renovation can vary drastically. In some cases, it can be more than 4 months. That is why proper planning is important. If you give yourself proper time, when the actual work begins, you will not feel rushed and can have the details sorted out.
Here are some other things you need to consider before starting the renovation:
Shipping & Manufacturing Times Of Furniture
You might think that ordering manufactured office furniture can speed up the process. But that is not always the case. Custom furniture can arrive quicker depending on backorder. If your office furniture supplier has a lot of backorders, then it will take longer than custom-made furniture.
The takeaway here is to get confirmation from your supplier on what time you can expect to receive all the furniture and other renovation supplies. This will allow you to be on schedule and will not cause downtime when things do not go according to plan.
The Scope Of Renovation
Furniture is only one part of the renovation. Some would argue that it is the least important part. When you are renovating an office, the scope is the biggest thing you need to decide on. And by scope, we mean what kind of renovation are you doing. More importantly, what needs to be done?
For example, will there be any electrical work needed? Paint, decorating, carpet or tiles? Where will all these fit? Also, if the answer is yes, how long will it take the contractor to complete the task will be an important factor in determining a time frame.
Workflow Of Your Office
Here you need to be a bit proactive on your end. You need to see what kind of projects and workflow your teams are dealing with right now. Is a slight disruption in the workflow okay for an office renovation?
If something very important is in the works, it might be best to halt the renovation for now. But at the end of the day, the call is yours on this one. If your employees can work from home while the renovation is taking place, then all the power to you.
Some companies manage temporary workplaces. If that is a viable option, then you are pretty much golden. Consider how much time it will take to transition to the new office and how this will affect your workflow.
Working With Custom Furniture
Having custom office furniture allows you to uphold the company culture and feel. Furniture can be specially designed to match a certain décor you have in mind. Customization's biggest benefit is flexibility.
However, custom furniture can take some time to arrive. Your supplier should give you a solid deadline when they can deliver the furniture. You need to plan the timeframe around that.
Do You Have The Budget Right Now?
Another factor that will dictate when to think of a renovation is, of course, the budget. Does your company have the budget for a renovation right now? If not, then it might be best to hold off for now.
If there is a budget, then you can start planning the renovation and give yourself some time before the 4 months or so of renovation begin. These 4 months do not include planning. It is the timeframe for the actual renovation work.
Is Custom Furniture Worth It?
Before wrapping up, let's talk about custom furniture. Are they worth it? There will be some cases for using custom furniture. Like specific functional needs.
If there is a specific shape of furniture you need depending on the layout of your office, it can be viable and even recommended. Another reason would be aesthetic. If manufacturers do not offer a specific style, then custom furniture can surely help you get the décor you want.
An office space should feel engaging to work in. The flow is very important. In some cases, that can only be achieved with custom furniture. You need to sit with a design team and hash out the details here.
Some offices might need to work with different technologies and multiple computers. So, the furniture needs to accommodate multiple monitors, have cable management, etc. All these considerations should be done in the planning phase. Custom furniture is not a bad idea at all. Just ensure that there is a reason for it in your office.
Wrapping Up
Well, there you have it. Now you know all there is about when to start planning your office renovation. It should take about 4 months. But it can depend on the type and size of the office as well.
Planning, and being clear on how long different processes, like ordering furniture, will take and the scope of the renovation are crucial. That is why you need to plan. Proper planning will ensure smooth execution and you will avoid hiccups along the way. Nothing quite stretches a project’s budget more than improper planning.
