Whether you’re looking to knock down some walls and expand the open area in your office to encourage collaboration or are adding more individual rooms, planning an office remodel takes time, preparation, and effort. From finding the right designer for the job to hiring a contractor and designing the space, there’s a lot to do. Planning effectively is the foundation of a successful office remodel experience.
Today, iSpace Office Interiors will be explaining the 5 most crucial steps to planning an office remodel. Following these steps as a guideline, you’ll be able to make your upcoming office remodel a smashing success. There are many reasons to consider an office remodel, and if you’ve made the decision to go forward with the process, this guide is for you!
Step 1: Identify Your Goals for the Office Remodel
The first step to planning a successful office remodel involves identifying and setting your goals for the process. You should have a clear endgame in mind when taking on an office remodel project. The result that you expect should inform every decision you make throughout the planning process. Here are a few questions you should be asking yourself in order to identify your goals:
- Would your staff appreciate an open floor plan that encourages collaboration?
- Are there ways that your current office layout could be more efficient?
- Are your office kitchens and bathrooms large enough for your staff?
- Is your office accessible to those with disabilities?
- Are there any safety issues that you need to address in your office remodel?
By asking yourself these types of questions, you form a guideline that will inform the decisions you make when it comes time to design the remodel itself. Don’t skip this very important first step of planning an office remodel!
Step 2: Take the Time to Research Designers and Contractors
Next, it’s time to carry out the most critical step in the office remodel planning process: finding the right professionals for the job. The team that will be carrying out your office remodel must be well-experienced and capable of working together collaboratively. Here are the professionals you will likely need to research, hire, and bring on board to carry out the office remodel process:
- A general contractor
- An interior designer
- A dumpster rental company
- An internal project manager
Be sure to take plenty of time to research each of these professionals thoroughly. While gathering proposals, make an effort to look for companies with extensive experience in office renovation. Additionally, be sure to ask for plenty of references ahead of time so that you can ensure the quality of your chosen professionals.
Step 3: Evaluate Your Office Building
Now that you have your team in place, it’s time to evaluate your office building. Renovation should never begin until you have had a professional building inspector check for mold, lead, asbestos, and other hazardous materials that could jeopardize the safety of you and your staff. While this step may cost more in terms of time and money, it’s worth the effort to prevent costly issues down the line and to prevent safety issues.
As an important tip, we recommend having a local building inspector present for the evaluation, even in the event that your general contractor offers to handle this step on their own. This way, you can ensure that the building meets all current codes before the renovation process begins.
Step 4: Design Your New Office Space
Now that you’re up to speed on the building codes and any structural limitations that may be in place, it’s time to begin the design phase of planning an office remodel. Be sure to refer back to the goals that you set in place in Step 1 as you work closely with your designer. Be clear and specific about what you expect from the office remodeling process. We recommend having your design team prepare at least two potential plans for the new space to give you plenty of flexibility in terms of the overall design. Once you’ve established the plan that will work best for you and your employees, you’re set to start the office remodel.
Step 5: Communicate Your Plan to Employees and Start the Office Remodel
It’s always important to communicate your office remodel plan to employees as soon as you can. Even in the event that the office won’t be closed during the renovation process, you should keep them up to date on when construction will be taking place. Be sure to have identified and communicated how this will impact their day-to-day operations so that they can be prepared for any interruptions.
Finally, it’s time for the office remodel to go into effect! Keep an open line of communication with all of your hired professionals. Sometimes issues arise, and you’ll want to make sure you are up to date along every step of the remodel.
Interior Design Services For Your Office Space From iSpace Office Interiors
If you’re looking for interior design services that you can depend on to bring your vision to life, look no further than iSpace Office Interiors. Our interior design and office remodel services are curated to fit your individual needs. We do so through carefully curated space planning for every project.
Over the years, we’ve built a reputation as a company that strives to meet and exceed the expectations of all of our clients, supporting them for years to come. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support you during the office remodeling process. We look forward to speaking with you!
Photo by Sven Mieke on Unsplash