Upgrading and renovating an office space is something that you as an office manager will need to consider more than once in your career. It can be difficult knowing exactly how to do this and several things need to be considered if you are to extract the absolute best from your environment. When considering your initial design you need to pay extra attention to the functionality of the space. Any business will only be as good as the people who work there so if you want the maximum possible level of productivity then you need to ensure that they have an adequate working space. It needs to be properly lit, well ventilated, uncluttered and be able to provide convenient work surfaces and storage. Here are some ideas on how you can achieve this.
Painting
Nothing brightens up a tired looking office like a fresh coat of paint on the walls. However, you need to pay attention to the colors you choose. Dark colors may look nice but they have the ability to make any space look small and enclosed. You will want to choose a brighter shade so as to open up the room a little. A bright office area will be much more appealing to employees and clients, therefore, improving on productivity and revenue. Sometimes adding little extra touches to the wall can be a great idea too.
"Contact local artists about painting a wall mural on the walls. A wall mural sets a positive mood for the working environment. Using local artists is a great way to improve the design of a small office space."
Furniture
You wouldn't think it but choosing the type of furniture to have in your commercial office space can also be the most difficult task of all and for something like this it may be worthwhile searching some of the many websites, which offer tips and advice, such as ApolloInteriors. When it comes to furniture you should be looking for smart and clean items which all match as nothing looks worse than a mismatched office. You could also improve the functionality of your office by purchasing desks which have built in storage space. This ensures that you will use up minimal amounts of floor space and that your employees can store everything they need with in them, therefore improving productivity also. Another similar option is to purchase corner desks, which is a particularly good idea if your space is limited.
Lighting
How you light an office area has a big impact on the feel of the surroundings for clients and employees. A poorly lit office is going to cause workers to have to strain their eyes when completing tasks. Natural light is the best option so try to add as much of it as possible by using large windows and/or installing a skylight in the ceiling. If you are not in a position to be able to do this then ceiling lights are the best option as they take up much no floor space and can be hung above every single workspace to ensure that they are sufficiently lit, combine this with desk lamps for extra light.
"Lighting throughout the workspace is no longer uniform, but fits the individual needs of the tasks being performed and even of the workers. Some of the ways to place individual lights are to use can light fixtures, spotlights and lamps in various work spaces."
Of course, there are many other design ideas which could be implemented in your commercial office space when upgrading. It is recommended that you consult with an interior designer before taking on any of the projects yourself, especially if you have no previous experience in this particular field.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Step By Step Guidelines For A Commercial Space Refurbishment
Refurbishing a commercial space of any kind can be a complicated matter. This is in part due to the fact that, most of the time, some of this space will continue to be in use. However, there are a number of things you can do to make this process as painless as possible. Let's take a look at some step by step guidelines for a commercial space refurbishment project.
1 - Why Are You Refurbishing?
The first thing you have to do is have a really good understanding of why you are engaging in this process.
"Identifying the reasons for refurbishing your office space is critical in ensuring that the finished result meets all of your company's needs. If you think about the 'why' early on, you're well prepared to identify the 'what' when you come to writing up your brief and discussing your new space with your chosen office refurbishment partner."
For instance, you may find that your old office had insufficient light, or too much storage space. Once you know that you will be able to make sure that your new commercial space is actually fit for purpose. This is the first and most important step you will have to complete.
2 - What Is the Building's Condition?
Once you are clear on why you want to refurbish, you need to figure out what you want to refurbish as well. This has to start with determining what sort of condition the building is actually in. If it is in very poor condition, it is likely that you will have to close the whole thing down for the duration of the refurbishment. However, the opposite is also true. Hence, spend some time inspecting your building by getting an expert to help you.
"The first stage of any renovation project is to get a detailed assessment of the current condition of the property. Those buying to renovate should always commission a chartered surveyor to undertake a building report which will identify any essential repairs needed and will recommend further investigation by specialist surveyors into any other aspects that arouse suspicion."
Additionally, this report will highlight the materials that have been used in the construction of the property itself. This sort of information is very important for contractors, who will determine their costs and workload based that info. You may also require a measured survey of the property itself.
3 - Interview and Select Your Refurbishment Partner
Once you have completed these steps, it is time to enlist the help of refurbishment experts. Spend some time reviewing the various companies that are out there for more information. It is recommended to always have at least three independent quotations, which should be without obligation. This will give you a greater opportunity to truly compare the market and find out which company is best for you.
It is generally recommended to have an in-house refurbishment team as well, who should be able to go over the quotations you have received. As a commercial property, it is likely that you have a large staff group as well. They should be included in these types of decisions, because it will affect them greatly as well. Having this team together means you will be able to understand the needs of everybody across the board, which also means that your refurbishment will be far more likely to be a success in terms of functionality.
4 - Your Budget
Finally, you have to consider your budget. Refurbishments are never going to be cheap, and they shouldn't be either, since you should be looking for quality. However, you do have a budget to stick to, and you must work with a company that is able to work within those constraints.
1 - Why Are You Refurbishing?
The first thing you have to do is have a really good understanding of why you are engaging in this process.
"Identifying the reasons for refurbishing your office space is critical in ensuring that the finished result meets all of your company's needs. If you think about the 'why' early on, you're well prepared to identify the 'what' when you come to writing up your brief and discussing your new space with your chosen office refurbishment partner."
For instance, you may find that your old office had insufficient light, or too much storage space. Once you know that you will be able to make sure that your new commercial space is actually fit for purpose. This is the first and most important step you will have to complete.
2 - What Is the Building's Condition?
Once you are clear on why you want to refurbish, you need to figure out what you want to refurbish as well. This has to start with determining what sort of condition the building is actually in. If it is in very poor condition, it is likely that you will have to close the whole thing down for the duration of the refurbishment. However, the opposite is also true. Hence, spend some time inspecting your building by getting an expert to help you.
"The first stage of any renovation project is to get a detailed assessment of the current condition of the property. Those buying to renovate should always commission a chartered surveyor to undertake a building report which will identify any essential repairs needed and will recommend further investigation by specialist surveyors into any other aspects that arouse suspicion."
Additionally, this report will highlight the materials that have been used in the construction of the property itself. This sort of information is very important for contractors, who will determine their costs and workload based that info. You may also require a measured survey of the property itself.
3 - Interview and Select Your Refurbishment Partner
Once you have completed these steps, it is time to enlist the help of refurbishment experts. Spend some time reviewing the various companies that are out there for more information. It is recommended to always have at least three independent quotations, which should be without obligation. This will give you a greater opportunity to truly compare the market and find out which company is best for you.
It is generally recommended to have an in-house refurbishment team as well, who should be able to go over the quotations you have received. As a commercial property, it is likely that you have a large staff group as well. They should be included in these types of decisions, because it will affect them greatly as well. Having this team together means you will be able to understand the needs of everybody across the board, which also means that your refurbishment will be far more likely to be a success in terms of functionality.
4 - Your Budget
Finally, you have to consider your budget. Refurbishments are never going to be cheap, and they shouldn't be either, since you should be looking for quality. However, you do have a budget to stick to, and you must work with a company that is able to work within those constraints.
Monday, March 3, 2014
How To Manage A Cost Effective Refurbishment For Your Dental Office
It's easy to forget that a dental surgery clinic is as much a place of business as any of the stores we see in our towns and cities. Okay, so it's not quite in the same context but still, a dental surgery needs patients, customers and/or clients on their books who come in regularly for treatment. The clinic needs to pay for the salaries of employees, the materials used, etc., in order for it to keep doing what it does. Just like a store with no customers would have to close, a dentist with no patients would also need to close. In days gone by, many dental offices would choose to move to different premises instead of refurbishing the one they are in but this has all changed recently.
"However, although in theory this should be the more cost-effective option, any potential savings will be wiped out if you fail to plan for the disruption caused by the refurbishment."
So anyway, a large part of gaining those clients is by attracting them to your surgery over all of the competition and one of the best ways to do this is by keeping up-to-date with refurbishments and making sure everything looks clean and professional. At the same time, you need these refurbishments to be cost effective, that means ensuring that you get enough of a financial return to make the initial costs of the refurbishment worthwhile.
"The definition of cost effective is something that is a good value, where the benefits and usage are worth at least what is paid for them."
Obtaining Quotes
When looking into refurbishments for your dental office it can be easy to just take the first quote which comes your way but if you want to be cost effective you should search for and review as many quotes as you can. Doing this will help you to find the absolute best price, not the cheapest price as often the cheapest option is not the most cost effective. Instead, the best all round price is one that covers everything you need for a reasonable price without sacrificing the quality of the work.
Shop Around
In the same way and for the same reasons that you obtain more than one quote for the work, you should also shop around for the different materials that will be needed for your refurbishment and any furniture and decoration that you wish to add. Sourcing these items for yourself could actually save you lots of cash and work out to be much more cost effective than if you let a designer or project manager do it for you.
Don't Be Tight
Many people often assume that being cost effective is all about saving cash and doing everything as cheaply as possible but this is not true. You could save yourself a lot of cash in the short term if you carried out any refurbishment works yourself but these works would probably not last more than a few years at best. Whereas if you spent a little extra cash in your initial outlay to pay for someone professional to carry out the work for you, you would be looking at double and possibly even triple the life time of the project, therefore saving yourself more money over a longer period of time.
Get Some Advice
If you aren't sure about any of the financial aspects of a refurbishment, then the best thing you can do is to get the advice of an accountant or financial advisor. These are difficult economical times and many businesses are struggling to stay afloat so it would be completely understandable and probably very beneficial for you to go through everything with someone who can answer any or all of your financial questions for you.
For more information on this, you can visit apollointeriors.com.
"However, although in theory this should be the more cost-effective option, any potential savings will be wiped out if you fail to plan for the disruption caused by the refurbishment."
So anyway, a large part of gaining those clients is by attracting them to your surgery over all of the competition and one of the best ways to do this is by keeping up-to-date with refurbishments and making sure everything looks clean and professional. At the same time, you need these refurbishments to be cost effective, that means ensuring that you get enough of a financial return to make the initial costs of the refurbishment worthwhile.
"The definition of cost effective is something that is a good value, where the benefits and usage are worth at least what is paid for them."
Obtaining Quotes
When looking into refurbishments for your dental office it can be easy to just take the first quote which comes your way but if you want to be cost effective you should search for and review as many quotes as you can. Doing this will help you to find the absolute best price, not the cheapest price as often the cheapest option is not the most cost effective. Instead, the best all round price is one that covers everything you need for a reasonable price without sacrificing the quality of the work.
Shop Around
In the same way and for the same reasons that you obtain more than one quote for the work, you should also shop around for the different materials that will be needed for your refurbishment and any furniture and decoration that you wish to add. Sourcing these items for yourself could actually save you lots of cash and work out to be much more cost effective than if you let a designer or project manager do it for you.
Don't Be Tight
Many people often assume that being cost effective is all about saving cash and doing everything as cheaply as possible but this is not true. You could save yourself a lot of cash in the short term if you carried out any refurbishment works yourself but these works would probably not last more than a few years at best. Whereas if you spent a little extra cash in your initial outlay to pay for someone professional to carry out the work for you, you would be looking at double and possibly even triple the life time of the project, therefore saving yourself more money over a longer period of time.
Get Some Advice
If you aren't sure about any of the financial aspects of a refurbishment, then the best thing you can do is to get the advice of an accountant or financial advisor. These are difficult economical times and many businesses are struggling to stay afloat so it would be completely understandable and probably very beneficial for you to go through everything with someone who can answer any or all of your financial questions for you.
For more information on this, you can visit apollointeriors.com.
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