An office renovation is a costly but rewarding project, especially for the employees, as they can feel a shift in energy with the promise of change. However, as much as there is all this excitement, planning an office renovation may end up eating away thousands of dollars without the theory materializing into anything tangible. Remodeling your office space requires down-to-the-detail planning to help you cut costs and still maintain the quality and functionality that pushed the renovation. Here are the 8 effective ways to cut costs when planning an office renovation. Read on!
Make Any Necessary Floor Plan Changes First
First, what changes do you want to see on the floor plan? It is, of course, the most prominent part of a renovation. You’ll start by evaluating whether you like the existing floor plan as it is, and therefore, you’ll work around it and focus on other issues. If you’re like most people, the floorplan has to change, and when planning an office renovation, this step has to come first. So, sit down with your team and identify the area of change- whether you want to knock down a wall or put up one.
Making any necessary floor plan changes first will save you money in the long run. Imagine rebuilding walls, relocating electrical outlets or plumbing fixtures, and changing the office space layout after construction starts; two things- costly and a wrong move.
To make the relevant changes to your floor plan, you must first understand how this space was being used before, then move on from there. This can include noting which areas are used the most, which areas are not used as much, and which areas could be optimized to be used more effectively. You then have something concrete to work with to reduce your renovation costs. For example, eliminating unused spaces equals a reduction in the square footage of your office space, which equals saving money on utilities and construction costs in the long run.
Another room you can explore to cut down costs when planning an office renovation is by opting for cost-effective materials. Say you’re considering a commercial remodeling project, and you aim to use marble, granite, or hardwood materials; they are quite expensive but worth it. Do you think they will provide the best value for your investment? It’s a good move to consider a material such as commercial epoxy coating. Apart from being durable, easy to clean, and can give your office space a modern look, it is affordable! Cost-effective materials are big on affordability, not only when you get them but also when you’ll be maintaining or replacing them.
Get Help from Local Contractors
Nothing shouts costs cuts as loud as getting help from professionals in the relevant industry and, in our case, local contractors. Admittedly, this is one of the best ways to cut costs when planning an office renovation. Local contractors are known to offer lower rates than larger companies with higher overhead costs. Higher overhead costs mean higher profits, making you dig deeper into your pocket.
Another reason for choosing local contractors and cutting the cost of an office renovation is that local contractors provide better quality work and faster turnaround times. Your renovation project will be done in a matter of months, ultimately leading you to cut costs. Local contractors have a wealth of experience and expertise, as this is their field. If there are any ways in which you can cut down costs, you bet they know all of them. Lastly, these contractors often have established relationships with vendors you’ll need for your project. They can link you up with one whose cost of materials or services is much lower- cut down costs!
When your office needs custom t shirts for employees for a team-building exercise, bulk screen printing, or sign install for signage, it’s highly recommended that you seek a local vendor. Local vendors often offer competitive pricing, and working with them eventually supports the local economy. So win-win for you, for them, and for the economy.
An important thing to note is that there are so many contractors in the renovation industry these days. Take time to dig around and do your due research so that you avoid hiring a contractor who will turn your project into a money-minting station. Compare quotes from multiple local contractors, then make your choice. You will find the best deal to accommodate your budget comfortably and simultaneously give you the desired quality.
Find Out If It’s Cheaper to Rent or Buy Equipment
Buying equipment when renovating your office will highly depend on your preferences because it’s always better to have choices you will treasure. However, remember that you’re still aiming to cut costs when planning an office renovation. Renting equipment is considerably cheaper than buying it, especially if you’re going for a completely new one. It will save you money upfront, as you won’t have to purchase expensive equipment that you may only use once or twice.
Here is a practical case scenario; when you need several roll off dumpster rentals for a short period, will you go ahead and buy them, or will you look for somewhere where you can rent them for that specific period and then when your use of it is fulfilled, you take it back? Most probably you will agree that renting looks reasonable and it’s cost-saving. Same with, say, a bottle crushing machine; if you’ll not need it every day and not the core equipment in your line of work, why add all the expenses accompanying buying one to your list?
On the other hand, if you anticipate that you’ll need a particular piece of equipment for long-term use, go ahead and make that purchase – it is the better option. So when planning an office renovation and the time for equipment comes, remember you can either rent out or buy. It will help you cut down unnecessary costs. One more takeaway, as mentioned earlier, when renting equipment, be diligent enough to compare prices and terms from several vendors. Read the fine print to ensure no hidden fees or penalties for returning the equipment late or in poor condition. You could even hire an expert to read between the lines so that you’ll not have any surprises- the vendors can be cunning. Be careful!
Refresh All of the Existing Surfaces Early On
When planning an office renovation, you will probably want to go all big, innovative, and creative, and that’s okay. Sometimes the solutions to cut down costs are so simple, like in this case. If you want to revamp your office and save money simultaneously, refresh all of the existing surfaces early on in the process. This will immediately leave your office looking brand new without having to replace it much, and some of you might just stop at this point.
Refreshing your office includes repainting the walls, changing the ceilings, refinishing the floors, updating your furniture, or simply giving your office surfaces a thorough wash-down with a professional cleaning crew. The process of refreshing your office space could mean using a commercial epoxy floor coating to give your office space a sleeker look. Well, epoxy comes in handy for areas that generally experience a lot of traffic, like the coffee machine. This will help you cut down maintenance costs, as the epoxy is easy to clean and will last for quite some time.
When refreshing these surfaces, you will need to move all the equipment and furniture around, do not be tempted to do so yourself, as it could lead to some pretty hefty damages. Contact a local mover to do this work for you. It works in your favor for two reasons: the risk of damage will significantly reduce and save you time because these people know what they’re doing.
Ensure Your Property Has the Necessities for Your Field
You must ensure your property has the necessities for your field as you plan an office renovation. The whole point of an office renovation is to help put your company at the top, so it wouldn’t make sense to do all these things and forget to include your industry-specific features. Your office must be able to accommodate the unique needs of your work. For instance, if you’re in the pharmaceutical world, you’ll need a laboratory in the office. Or a production space if you’re into manufacturing.
Another fine example is the ones in the construction industry. You’ll require the services of a portable restroom for the workers because of the nature of the work. While you may argue that it could be an unnecessary expense, you need to know this. Providing safe and sanitary facilities for your workers is humane, but failing to do so may result in costly fines and penalties. That is no way to cut down costs! On a cost note, having a portable restroom on site will help reduce downtime and ultimately help you save money by increasing the efficiency of the workers.
If you miss tailoring the needs of your industry into your office earlier when renovating, then boom, costly retrofits and additional expenses come knocking on your door. Address these needs early and incorporate the specific amenities when planning the renovation; you’ll cut costs.
Consider Timing Your Renovation Project Wisely
Timing is everything, and when you choose to start renovating your office could be the difference between cutting down costs or running up costs. Ever built anything when it’s raining, snowing, or extremely cold? Didn’t get much done, did you? It is important to consider the weather when scheduling renovation. The dry season will take care of delays and incompetence associated with rainy weather, and workers’ morale is also higher in comparison. You’ll be able to cut down costs here and there.
We have off-peak seasons where labor and material costs are considerably lower in construction. It is wise to time your office renovation to coincide with these periods so you can take advantage of the perks that come with the slow season to save you extra money.
Establish a Realistic Budget
You cannot dive head-on into office renovation without knowing exactly or approximately what you will be looking to spend. It is only sensible to come up with a realistic budget. Considering the project’s scope, timeline, and resources, your budget will be workable only then. A budget will go a long way in keeping you in check, ensuring the project is completed within the allocated funds, and helping you avoid overspending on unnecessary tasks. It will help you cut costs by keeping you disciplined only about what is in writing.
Plan Ahead
You’ve got to think outside the box to find avenues to cut costs when doing renovations. One way you can do this is by planning well ahead of time. As much as you’ll focus on the now, we recommend you anticipate the future too. Create a detailed timeline and schedule besides the budget, identify potential roadblocks, and develop several appropriate contingency plans. When all that can go wrong is put down on the table, you can explore ways to avoid delays, minimize disruptions, and prevent unexpected expenses that may hinder your efforts to cut costs.
In conclusion, planning an office renovation requires more than bubbling enthusiasm for change. It also requires meticulous planning and discipline to cut unnecessary costs and more. This you can only accomplish with the right strategy, and we have compiled one for you. This is not everything you’ll need, but it’s a good start and can form the backbone of your other plans.
To cup it up, to cut down costs when office renovating, start by making necessary floor plan changes, then opt for cost-effective materials, get help from local contractors, consider renting equipment when possible instead of purchasing, refresh existing surfaces, ensure your property has the necessities for your field, time your renovation project wisely, and create a realistic budget. The result will be an office that meets your aesthetic and functionality needs and budget beautifully.