Ready to build that new office space you’ve been dreaming about? Before you get too carried away with hiring builders and breaking ground, there are a few things you should think about to make sure your project turns out the way you want it to. Without proper planning, it’s easy for a dream project to turn into a nightmare, so here are 10 quick tips to help you get the most out of your new office construction.
Research Your Location
Choosing the right location is a major challenge for businesses. Even after you do your market research, it’s a good idea to spend some time in your new neighbourhood to make sure it’s a place you and your employees will really enjoy coming to every day.
Think about Long-term Plans
Do your plans address the needs of your company 5 years from now? How about 10 or 15 years from now? It’s not worth putting the time and money into new construction if you’re going to need to build again in a few years.
Make Sure Everyone Is Clear on the Plans from the Start
Good communication is going to be the key to success throughout the whole process, so set a precedent early on by making sure everyone is on the same page before the project even begins. This includes your builder, your employees, your insurance company, your lawyer, and anyone else who may be involved in the process in any way.
Don’t Get Stuck on the Numbers
We all want to save money when choosing a builder, but the lowest bid doesn’t always translate to the best deal. Sometimes a lower cost up-front can translate into a major headache coupled with major expenses in the future.
Choose Materials That Will Last
The same philosophy applies to building materials as well; if you’re set on saving money up-front, you may end up with a building that’s in need of repair in only a few month’s time.
Try to Look Past the Trends
When choosing building materials and design elements, it’s also a good idea to make sure you’re not just making choices simply based on trends. Styles will come and go, but if you’re truly building for long-term success, you’ll want to choose materials and design elements that you’ll still be happy with ten years down the road.
Consider Hiring a Designer
If you’re having trouble deciding on design elements, consider hiring a professional office designer to help you out. A designer can help you build a space that is both comfortable for employees and impressive to clients, and can often see brilliant ideas far beyond what the untrained eye can see.
Look at What’s Around You
When it comes to your office’s exterior design, pay attention to the other spaces around you to make sure your office doesn’t look out of place. It’s okay to stand out if you want to show your uniqueness; just make sure the look of your office doesn’t detract from the look of have the other businesses or residences around you.
Think about Landscaping
In addition to planning the inside of your new office space, it’s also a good idea to think of what’s going to be outside your office, even before you’ve started building. Incorporating greenery and other landscaping elements is a great way to make your space feel more natural and welcoming.
Don’t Forget to Relax and Have Fun
A final piece of advice is to make sure you’re having fun throughout the whole process. Construction can be stressful at times, so plan for ways to relieve that stress like taking a weekend away or simply taking a coffee break every once in a while. If you make an effort to relax and have some fun throughout the process, you’ll help everyone else around you feel more relaxed as well, which will lead to a better end product.
Research Your Location
Choosing the right location is a major challenge for businesses. Even after you do your market research, it’s a good idea to spend some time in your new neighbourhood to make sure it’s a place you and your employees will really enjoy coming to every day.
Think about Long-term Plans
Do your plans address the needs of your company 5 years from now? How about 10 or 15 years from now? It’s not worth putting the time and money into new construction if you’re going to need to build again in a few years.
Make Sure Everyone Is Clear on the Plans from the Start
Good communication is going to be the key to success throughout the whole process, so set a precedent early on by making sure everyone is on the same page before the project even begins. This includes your builder, your employees, your insurance company, your lawyer, and anyone else who may be involved in the process in any way.
Don’t Get Stuck on the Numbers
We all want to save money when choosing a builder, but the lowest bid doesn’t always translate to the best deal. Sometimes a lower cost up-front can translate into a major headache coupled with major expenses in the future.
Choose Materials That Will Last
The same philosophy applies to building materials as well; if you’re set on saving money up-front, you may end up with a building that’s in need of repair in only a few month’s time.
Try to Look Past the Trends
When choosing building materials and design elements, it’s also a good idea to make sure you’re not just making choices simply based on trends. Styles will come and go, but if you’re truly building for long-term success, you’ll want to choose materials and design elements that you’ll still be happy with ten years down the road.
Consider Hiring a Designer
If you’re having trouble deciding on design elements, consider hiring a professional office designer to help you out. A designer can help you build a space that is both comfortable for employees and impressive to clients, and can often see brilliant ideas far beyond what the untrained eye can see.
Look at What’s Around You
When it comes to your office’s exterior design, pay attention to the other spaces around you to make sure your office doesn’t look out of place. It’s okay to stand out if you want to show your uniqueness; just make sure the look of your office doesn’t detract from the look of have the other businesses or residences around you.
Think about Landscaping
In addition to planning the inside of your new office space, it’s also a good idea to think of what’s going to be outside your office, even before you’ve started building. Incorporating greenery and other landscaping elements is a great way to make your space feel more natural and welcoming.
Don’t Forget to Relax and Have Fun
A final piece of advice is to make sure you’re having fun throughout the whole process. Construction can be stressful at times, so plan for ways to relieve that stress like taking a weekend away or simply taking a coffee break every once in a while. If you make an effort to relax and have some fun throughout the process, you’ll help everyone else around you feel more relaxed as well, which will lead to a better end product.
