Many studies have been conducted on a workplace’s impact on employees’ productivity and creativity. We know from these studies that the efficiency and the mindset of employees in an organisation are greatly affected by their working conditions- more efficient and better working habitats produce better employees in general.

There is a great shift in technologies and requirements as the newer generations fill the offices. There are better tools to manage and aid the workforce, but most offices of corporations that have existed for longer are now obsolete. Even the addition of technology cannot fully benefit productivity if it is not integrated correctly.

Similarly, working patterns and job profiles have changed with new jobs, requiring a range of contemporary amenities and working spaces. These changes are continuous and will continue as the world progresses, but offices will have to introduce changes in themselves every few years to accommodate such changes. 

Office refurbishment is the way to go when you want to improve your office without spending the enormous costs of getting a new one altogether.

What is Office Refurbishment?

An office refurbishment typically involves various renovations to interior design, restructuring of office spaces, additions to equipment, furniture, etc. 

It involves remodelling the office to fit the current needs of an organisation. Also, people judge corporations on how their office places are, so corporations always want their spaces to be up-to-date and reflect their corporate identity perfectly. 

Typical office refurbishments include-

• Upgradation of amenities
• Changing of floor plans
• Modernisation of Infrastructure
• Renovations across the board

A refurbishment also allows an organisation to design the workplace after getting inputs from the employees who are going to work in them. 

Additionally, additions to the workforce might require more working space, causing the organisation to rethink its space planning. 

One of the major reasons why you would want to refurbish your office space is the growing need for flexible workspaces post the pandemic era. Hybrid working conditions call for more collaborative working spaces in offices where necessary meetings and sharing can be done. There are many things to consider before opting for an office refurbishment; the next head will give you a brief overview of the steps involved in a typical office refurbishment.

Steps involved in Office Refurbishment

Step 1- Determining a motive and direction

The most important step before changing the existing office infrastructure is to clarify what things need to be changed and why. 

Introducing a more efficient way of working, removing dated plans and improving corporate identity, creating more space to accommodate more staff, increasing the utility of sparsely used spaces, etc., are all valid reasons for choosing an office refurbishment. 

The reasons you choose determine the direction of changes to be introduced and, ultimately, the results and satisfaction of both the employees and the employer.

Step 2- Preparation of a brief

Summarise the essence of your company in your project brief. Important details such as meeting rooms needed, number of employees, style of requirement, styling wanted, etc., should be included in the brief. 

Step 3- Create a project team: 

Create a cross-department and inclusive team that can formulate good inputs. This team should add their inputs to the brief and see that work goes in the direction they have planned for their departments. The office should also appoint a project lead who will take care of the entire project going smoothly. 

Step 4- Employ a design and build company

These are the people who will turn your imagination into reality. Share the brief with them and fix a budget for the refurbishment. Speak with multiple corporate interior design companies and decide on the most trustworthy one that fits your requirements and schedules. 3D designs are the best way to picture what your office would look like according to your plans, so get one made by these companies. 

Step 5- Managing onsite project:  

The office will be closed off as long as the refurbishment is in the works. So plan about the working situation as long as the project is ongoing. Remote work or temporary offices on rent solve this issue. The project team, meanwhile, will see to the completion and progress of the refurbishment.

Step 6- Taking handover and moving in: 

Once the design and build company hands over your office, you should ensure that all agreed developments have been tended to in the manner specified already. The last touches should be made before the staff is invited back into their offices.

 Advantages of an Office Refurbishment

There are several advantages to a new and improved working space-

Better integration of technology

More secure forms of identification and attendance, better monitoring of staff and safety hazards, and advanced technology that is directly needed in the firm’s core competency can be introduced in an office refurbishment. Moreover, technology can be housed more efficiently and streamlined so that it isn’t isolated but integrated into the workplace.

Higher efficiency and productivity

As stated earlier, better working standards mean higher productivity and improved employee morale. Spaces with more natural light, spaces for collaboration and communication, and better ventilation manifest in more creative and fresh ideas. Better usage of spaces and facilitating a better flow of communication improve the efficiency of an office.

Better motivation and employee satisfaction

An upgraded modern office space shows employees that the organisation cares about their needs and happiness. Employee-related amenities, when in top order, display concern and compassion. It aids in keeping good employees within the organisation, i.e., retention. It also motivates them psychologically to do better and reciprocate the concern.

Better brand image

A modern office with styled and efficient interiors, spacious floor plans, motivated employees and high-end technology speaks lengths about the corporation’s brand image. It improves the reputation amongst other corporations and also attracts potential talent into the organisation.

Improved compliance with health and safety standards

Every few years, new and updated government regulations regarding workspaces are declared. Office refurbishments are a good method to adhere to government regulations and compliance for office spaces.

Flexible and agile forms of working

Collaborative workspaces, shared amenities, silent rooms, etc., are the features of a new type of workplace known as flexible workspaces. Instead of rigid and fixed cubicles, these enforce the idea that employees can work from where it suits them most. Meeting rooms are designed separately in this form. Flexible workspaces can be introduced, which promote employee well-being and work-life balance.

Conclusion 

As stated above, there are various advantages to an office refurbished. You can avail of those advantages by starting the refurbishment process as well. All you need is the correct identification of requirements, giving due consideration to employee inputs, and then taking the help of a refurbishment company and making your dream office a reality!