Have you looked around the office lately and noticed things look a little tired? If so, it may be time for an office refurbishment. Making the right improvements can boost employee morale and productivity. But what happens if your budget is running low? Is it still possible to do an office update?
We’re happy to say yes, it’s still possible to do an office refurbishment even if you’re on a budget! Read on to find tips on how you can update the office for less!
What is an Office Refurbishment?
Office refurbishments have been done for several years. It may be that the space needs to be used in another way, the paint looks dirty on the walls, and more. Here are some questions to help you decide if your office really does need an update:
- Does the office need a technology upgrade? Does this mean updating the office design, too?
- Has your business changed, and you’d like to reflect these changes in the office?
- Does your office need more space?
- Can you redesign the space without affecting the architectural design of the office?
- What are the building codes and standards in your area? Does the renovation of the office need to consider these rules?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then it’s time to refurbish the office. These questions may also point out specific areas that need to be focused on during the update.
Tips for Budgeting Your Office Refurbishment
Now, you’re ready to learn how to properly budget your office update!
1. Have a Clear Plan Before Starting & Stick with the Plan
It’s essential to have a clear plan in place before starting the office renovation. Why? Because if you’re short on money in the first place, not having a plan could mean spending more than the business can afford. The goal is to create a budget and stick to it throughout the refurbishment.
Office refurbishments can go way over budget because of too many modifications to the original plan. Even the smallest changes can mean a huge bite taken out of company finances. So, make sure to develop a plan and budget before starting on the project.
2. Reuse Fixtures & Fixtures
Many fixtures and features in the office are still in good shape. If that’s the case, you may want to consider reusing these in the office refurbishment.
Not only is this an eco-friendly way to update the office, it can also save you money. You can reuse the fixtures and features even in the updated office. The same goes for office furniture and storage. If these are still in good shape, consider reusing them when refurbishing the space.
3. Invest in Quality Where It Makes Sense
Another great way to keep costs down is to invest in quality items when it makes sense. Sometimes there’s the temptation to update everything to a premium level. However, in many cases, this is too much for the budget.
It’s possible to avoid this problem by investing in quality where it really matters and using less expensive items that won’t show or aren’t used very often.
4. Repaint Office Walls
One of the most cost-effective methods to update a drab office is by painting the walls! While that may seem like a simple solution, shabby walls and off colours can be a downer for everyone in the office.
When choosing paint colours, consider working your company colours into the space. A branded office goes a long way to impress clients and increase employee morale.
As you choose colours, aim to use only a few colour palettes. In addition, go for bright, airy colours that liven up the space and employee mood. Avoid dark colours unless using these as an accent colour.
5. Rearrange Current Office Furniture and Layout
You may also want to consider rearranging the current office furniture and the layout. This works great for a business that’s short on funds. This method takes zero investment and yet, can do wonders for the space!
6. Add Plants
Do you have plants in the office or only a few? If so, you may want to consider adding some live plants to the office space. Research has shown that touches of nature in the workspace offer many benefits.
For one thing, plants help relax and calm people down, boosting productivity. What’s more, plants can also help clean indoor air and even absorb sound!
Plants are usually a cost-effective measure to consider when refurbishing the office.
7. Clean Up & Reduce Clutter
Does your office look untidy and cluttered? If so, it’s time for cleaning and reducing clutter. Not only does a clean, tidy office help employees focus, it can also make a great impression on visitors and clients.
Start by having employees clean their workstations and desks. Documents no longer needed can be shredded, while other documents can be filed. All files need to be placed in a storage cabinet. In addition, all trash on the desk must be thrown out, and more.
Once the clutter has been dealt with, it’s time to do a deep clean. Everything in the space should be cleaned thoroughly, including the floor, surfaces (shelves, desks, and more), and other items that haven’t been cleaned in a while.
You’ll be amazed once you see how the space cleans up! That may be all the renovation needed!
8. Hire a Student Designer
If you’re really not sure how to start refurbishing the office, you may want to consider hiring a student designer. A student designer may work under a senior designer who can oversee the project. And consider that students need the experience to get jobs after they graduate. What’s more, they’re usually cheaper to hire than a senior designer.
It’s true they may not have as much experience; however, they do have the training and are knowledgeable in the most recent design trends. This may really help your office refurbishment to have plenty of pzazz!
Summing it Up
As you can see, it’s possible to do an office refurbishment even if you have zero money! The key is to determine your budget and have a plan. You’ll have a guide to keep you on track all through the project. And in the end, you’ll have a wonderful “new” office to show off!
Looking for office space? Be sure to get in touch with us to see what we have to offer!