Interior fit out company in london offer a chance for companies to personalize their office and make their brand come alive. Unfortunately, fad design trends, rising construction costs and shifting standards can make the process intimidating. A lot of companies have misconceptions and preconceived ideas about the building process, and a lot has changed within this construction space in recent years. Here are five common misconceptions about interior build-outs.
1. You can make design decisions along the way:
Companies should work with their design team and general contractor simultaneously. Having a sophisticated builder on board early to collaborate with the architect and client will generate significant value by saving time and money.
Conducting build-outs on an ad hoc basis can lead to cost overruns and inconsistent designs that do not satisfy employee demands.
2. Interior build-outs cost the same as they did 10 years ago :
Labor shortages nationwide and the rising cost of materials have not just affected building construction. Interior build-outs have also become more expensive. Companies are looking to attract new hires often opt for high-quality finishes, which can quickly eat into budgets. Skender worked with clients last year to manage build-outs ranging from $70 a square foot to $270 a square foot. General contractors can create reliable budgets using Target Value Design, which identifies the budget and project priorities early. By sharing a target budget early in the process, your project team will work in concert to align costs with the target budget and maximize project value. Union labor can double costs, and some buildings require that union labor be used. Prices also vary depending on the function. Medical offices or lab space will be pricier than standard office space due to the specialization of equipment.
3. Square foot per person norms haven’t changed:
In 2017, North American offices averaged 151 square foot per worker, down from 225 square foot per worker in 2010. Across certain industry groups, like law firms, reducing square footage per person is part of major cost-cutting initiatives.
Every space is different, and the right amount of usable office space depends on factors like industry type, company size and corporate culture, not on trends. Businesses should also account for projected growth. Paying attention to floor plans and layouts and relaying those concerns to the project team can help companies make the most of their available space.
4. Open office plans automatically equal more collaboration :
Companies are knocking down private offices in favor of open floor plans. While heralded as a design that supports spontaneous conversation, some employees have fought back against the lack of privacy and choice. when the open office is not balanced with enough private rooms and independent work areas. Rather than hop on the bandwagon, Interior fit out company in London should carefully think through. The open office concept with their project team to find a solution that complements their corporate culture.
Incorporating a mix of communal spaces like kitchens, team spaces and lounges into an office design gives employees a choice. Where and how they work, which in turn improves productivity and team engagement.
