Month: July 2018

Relocate

During the renovation process you will require a work station to relocate to. If possible, request to have complete floors renovated at one time. If the renovation is to expand the office building within the existing space, construct your new space first. This will create the required capacity needed to relocate during renovation. Planning to relocate your employees should be considerate and careful, minimizing disruption and the number of moves your employees make.

Communication

Communicating a positive perception of your office renovation is almost as vital as the work itself. Changes when renovating your office space brings potential concerns, especially when the need isn’t understood. Disclosing your visions using sample boards is a positive way to dispel concerns and keep employees informed. As work progresses, you may offer tours and updates during the construction process to keep staff in the loop.

Budget

The cost of your project won’t be finalized until all the work is completed. Start with 10 percent as your budget for costs you encounter during the design process. Also take into account an allowance for the overtime work put in. Consider your allowance when construction tasks are disrupted or stopped. Experienced and professional construction laborers will assure these issues are accounted for. Make sure to minimize changes to ductwork and electrical distribution where you can expect the costliest upgrades.

Office Conditions

Site-surveys are used to observe areas that are concealed and can be used to modify a challenging work space. Obtain a site-survey to effectively set out structural framework. It can to determine an estimate with a more accurate idea of the work space. A responsible design team and a visual layout will ensure the essential conditions are reflected correctly. With your sitesurvey in mind, perform inspections on plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems. This usually comprises of two-thirds of your total construction costs.

Field Representative

Consider having your contractor provide an on-site project manager for in-place renovations with construction on multiple floors in multiple phases. A project manager would be an idealistic representative to exceed the normal requirements to administer the work. With any renovation project there are sure to be surprises. A field representative will enable any issues with your project to be addressed quickly and with ease. An on-site project manager will offer an idea of what is to be expected and peace of mind.

The office environment your work in directly impacts your productivity, as well as your staff’s. Also, the look and feel of your office makes an impression on your clientele. If your office space is lacking vitality, appears unpleasant and drab, it’s time to consider making a few changes. Remodeling your office space the right way brings positive changes to any business. While office renovations may be expensive, they’re an investment that pays off in the long run. We will take a look at just a few benefits to renovating your office space.

Create more efficient use of your space

• Optimizing the layout of the office itself results in more useable space. This means more room for supplies, equipment and workspaces.
• Workspaces themselves can always be designed to increase functionality, comfort for your staff.
• For example, an office that is 2000 square feet may cost anywhere between $100,000-$160,000 to renovate.
• Also, if you’re paying for utilities, you should consider upgrading the energy efficiency of your office. Eco-friendly upgrades such as energy-efficient windows, insulation and LED lighting can reduce energy costs annually up to 40%!

Improve employee performance

• Adding a common space such as a pleasant break room, modern kitchen and common area for employees to interact and relax results improves everyone’s mood.
• Employees that have the freedom to relax, socialize and enjoy their breaks away from their desk, are far more productive once they sit down to work again.
• The overall happiness and productivity of your staff speaks to how well-designed your renovations are.

Revitalize Your Business

• Businesses sometimes undergo rebranding for a number of different reasons. Rebranding can involve new corporate colours, a new logo, different services and bolder messaging. It can also involve renovating the existing space.
• Renovating the office space is a great way to revitalize and rebrand, by having the physical space reflect the major step forward that you’ve taken as a business.
• Revitalizing your space every so often is also crucial for appearing modern and capable to your clients
• Regardless of your business, clients respond much better to a space that is sleek, eyecatching and modern than a space that is worn down, dull and dated.

Add Health Improvements

Older buildings aren’t always up to code when it comes to health and safety, for example, most buildings built prior to 1970 contain asbestos  

Having a sleek and well-maintained office leaves a great impression on customers or clients who visit and enhances your staff’s productivity and efficiency. If you’re thinking of renovating your business space, take note of some tips for preparing your budget. Of course, renovation costs often depend on the scope of the work involved and the size of the space being renovated. However, there are some general guidelines to help you plan financially.

Square-Foot Cost

• The average cost for office renovations in the Greater Toronto Area is around $50-$80 per-square-foot
• This cost-per-square foot includes materials; contractor pay; electrical, plumbing and HVAC work; framing, drywall and plastering; painting, flooring, carpentry, millwork, and in some cases, office furniture.
• For example, an office that is 2000 square feet may cost anywhere between $100,000-$160,000 to renovate.
• On the economic end, you can expect a basic renovation or upgrade to the space.
• On the more expensive end, your renovation would include above-standard and more lavish finishes; unique features like modular glass partitions or drop ceilings; and perhaps some energy-saving features.

Keep in mind this is just a guideline to gain a general understanding of renovation costs. There are plenty of factors that cause costs to vary dramatically. For example, an office space that’s 2000sqft versus a space that’s 3000sqft may ultimately cost the same, it just depends on the work required. A bigger space doesn’t necessarily mean that it’ll cost you considerably more. Again, there is no easy way to really predict how much your project should realistically cost. But there are additional factors to consider for a more accurate estimate. Ask yourself if your office space is located in a new building or an older 2nd generation building? Brand new spaces that are just empty shells and require a fit-out, all sorts of furniture, fixtures and equipment will definitely be more expensive to renovate. On the other hand, 2nd generation buildings where materials such as doors, drywall, ceilings, and other finishes already exist, can be reused to reduce your costs.

Other factors that may raise your costs:

• If it has been 50 years or more since the last office renovation, you’ll likely need to spend a lot more on renovation
• if you plan to re-furnish your office with high-end furniture
• if you plan to do the exterior of the office space as well

If you do not anticipate any of these types of needs, it is safe to assume that you should expect the average cost of $50-$80 per square foot. However, if you do, expect to pay more than the basic $50-$80 per square foot for your remodeling job. If you’ve got any questions about your next office renovation, feel free to reach out to us. You can always give us a call at 905-604-6771 or shoot us an email.