Are you thinking about giving your business premises a complete makeover? A refresh is always a good idea. But before you dive headfirst into Pinterest boards and fantasising about that gorgeous exposed brick wall, let’s talk about what you’re actually getting yourself into.
The truth is, refurbishing your business space is a bit like renovating your home – except that your livelihood depends on it, and you can’t exactly move out while the work’s happening.
One thing’s for certain: a business fit-out is likely to be one of the most important tasks you’ll take on. The people who work in this space will spend a large amount of time here, so making sure the result is perfect and the project flows should be a high priority.
For optimal results, you could consider bringing on some construction project management so that the work flows from day one. For other tips, just keep reading.
Getting Clear on What You Actually Need
Most business owners start this process completely back to front. They’ll see a stunning office on Instagram and think “I want that”, without really considering whether it makes sense for their business. Don’t be that person.
Instead, take a step back and ask yourself some honest questions. ‘Why am I doing this refit?’ ‘Is my team growing faster than I can squeeze desks into our current space?’ ‘Are we losing good staff because our office feels like it’s stuck in 2003?’ Or maybe you’re just tired of apologising to clients for the state of your reception area.
Whatever’s driving this decision, get crystal clear on it before you do anything else. This isn’t just about making things look pretty, though that’s certainly part of it. You need to understand how your business really operates, day to day. Watch how your team moves around the space. Notice where the bottlenecks are. Pay attention to what’s working and what’s driving everyone mad.
Retail Space vs Office Space
Now, if you’re refitting a retail space, you’re playing a completely different game to someone doing up an office. Both are important, but they serve totally different purposes.
With retail, you’re essentially creating a stage for your products. Every single element – from the lighting to the flooring to where you position that eye-catching display – is designed to guide customers through a journey that hopefully ends with them buying something. You need to think about traffic flow, product visibility, and creating those Instagram-worthy moments that’ll have customers sharing your space online.
Office refurbishments are a different kettle of fish altogether. Here, you’re designing for people who’ll be spending eight hours a day, five days a week in this space. Comfort matters. Functionality is everything. Your team needs areas where they can collaborate without disturbing others, quiet zones for focused work, and spaces that can adapt when you need to host that important client meeting.
But here’s what both types of refurbishments share: they both need rock-solid planning, proper technology infrastructure, and someone who knows what they’re doing to manage the whole process.
You Can’t Wing This
Let us be blunt for a moment. If you’re thinking about managing this refit yourself while running your business, you’re setting yourself up for months of stress and probably quite a few expensive mistakes.
We’ve seen too many business owners try to be the hero, only to end up with blown budgets, frustrated staff, and a half-finished project that’s dragging on forever.
Professional fit-out contractors aren’t just there to hammer nails and paint walls. They understand building codes, they know which suppliers won’t let you down, and they can navigate the maze of council approvals that’ll make your head spin.
More importantly, they can manage the whole project so you can focus on what you do best – running your business.
Timing Is Everything
You know that saying “Rome wasn’t built in a day“? Well, neither should your business refit be rushed.
The businesses that get this right are the ones that plan properly and give themselves plenty of time.
Start by working backwards from when you absolutely need the work finished. Factor in approval processes, potential delays with suppliers, and yes, those inevitable surprises that crop up in any construction project.
If you’re in retail and Christmas is your big season, don’t even think about starting major work in November.
The Money Talk
Let’s talk turkey about budgets.
Set a realistic figure that includes a buffer, usually around 10-15% of your total project cost. Things will go wrong, prices will change, and you’ll probably decide you want to upgrade something halfway through. That’s normal, but it’s also why you need that contingency fund.
Here’s a tip that’ll save you money: don’t try to do everything at once on a shoestring budget. It’s better to do one area well than to spread yourself too thin and end up with a mediocre result overall.
Keeping Your Business Running
The biggest challenge you’ll face is keeping your business operational while all this work is happening.
The smart approach is to break everything down into stages. Start with the areas that’ll cause the least disruption, then work your way up to the more critical spaces.
Communication is crucial here. Your team needs to know what’s happening and when. Your customers need to understand why there are dust sheets everywhere and why their usual meeting room is temporarily out of action.
Keep everyone in the loop, and you’ll find people are generally pretty understanding.
One thing we can’t stress enough: sort out your technology requirements first. Your internet, phone systems, and computer networks are the backbone of your business. Get these sorted early, and the rest of the refit will be much smoother.
At the end of the day, a business refit is about investing in your company’s future. The right environment can boost productivity, improve staff retention, and make a real impression on clients and potential employees.
Done right, your refit will pay dividends for years to come. Done wrong, and you’ll be counting the cost long after the dust has settled. Choose wisely.
