A good office fit out and refurbishment comes with many benefits – the best of which is the boost in employee productivity and wellbeing. However, fit out projects are not always the easiest to plan and execute. Even with endless amounts of resourcefulness and effort, there will be many hurdles to overcome when embarking on this journey – and with that, many mistakes will be made as well.

To help make this process a bit easier, we have outlined 10 mistakes that are commonly made when working on an office fit out and how you can avoid them.

1. Inadequate planning

We understand that renovations and fit outs in the workplace will inconvenience your employees and disrupt your business. However, rushing through the planning stage to hurry the process will not do your company any favours. Good planning is the key to a well-executed office fit out.

Take the time to collaborate with your contractor to optimise your workspace and stretch your budget with some effective planning strategies. We promise that it will be worth it, and it will save you from suffering many unforeseen structural or refurbishment setbacks along the way.

2. Improper budgeting

There is nothing worse than an incomplete fit out, so be sure to set up a comprehensive budget with your chosen contractor and stick to it as work on the project progresses.

Failing to properly budget for your office fit out will lead to disaster sooner or later. It is important to budget effectively and be mindful of your expenditure. Do not improvise your budget or make rash decisions as the project progresses.

3. Choosing an impractical layout

Space planning is an important yet often overlooked aspect of the office fit out process. You need to put some forethought or planning into your layout before placing any furniture or office equipment around your workplace. It’s easy to get carried way with your creative instincts while designing a layout, but this will invariably cause problems in the long-run.

An office fit out should do more than just look pretty. Your layout design should be functional and logical in a way that stimulates productivity, creativity and wellbeing in the workspace. Although you need to prioritise substance over style in this instance, it does not mean that your office layout cannot be aesthetically pleasing as well as practical – you just need to find a good balance between the two.

4. Comparing it to a DIY project

Do not – and we repeat, do not – make the mistake of thinking that your office interior design project is a simple DIY job that can be done in-house. In an effort to cut costs and save time, many business owners have tried to cut corners by trying to do it themselves instead of hiring a professional.

This is a bad idea – one that will come with a hefty price tag to correct. Not to mention that no matter how good you are with a hammer or paintbrush, an office fit out specialist is an expert in their field and will provide you with high-quality, skilled work, on time and on budget.

5. Copying unsuitable designs

To be a successful business in your industry, you need to be unique and stand out among your competitors. This is a well-known business principle that most, if not all, companies believe to be true. Therefore, you wouldn’t want your office to be an imitation of another company’s workplace. You would want it to represent your personal corporate identity and brand.

Taking inspiration from design magazines, corporate websites or Pinterest is one thing – but trying to replicate that same design instead of creating a fit out that’s uniquely yours is a bad move that could have a negative impact on your business. So, get those creative juices flowing instead and actualize a concept that is true to your company and brand.

6. Ignoring market trends

Office design trends are fast-changing, with new ideas and innovative concepts being put into practice on a daily basis. The modern office space is very different from what it was a year ago – never mind 10, or even 30 years ago.

Keeping that in mind, you need to make sure that your office fit out design incorporates contemporary ideas, concepts and elements to ensure that your workspace is as optimal as it can be. Don’t forget that your office fit out will have a significant impact on your employees’ productivity, creativity and wellbeing levels, so it’s best to stay updated on market trends and research.

7. Not adding natural elements

Research studies have shown that spending too much time in artificially lit and poorly ventilated environments has a negative impact on your health. On the other hand, scientific research has also proven that adding natural elements in your workspace, such as fresh air, natural sunlight and plants, can boost employee productivity and wellbeing by nearly 70%.

Incorporating nature and greenery into your office fit out is an easy and cost-effective way to not only beautify your space, but also improve your company’s success and increase employee satisfaction.

8. Forgetting about the future

When dealing with an office fit out in the present time, it can be easy to forget the future of your business in the process. Before settling on a fit out design, it’s important than you take the time to reflect on future changes or business expansion. Make sure that your office fit out design is flexible enough to accommodate future expansion as well as your company’s corporate ambitions.

9. Avoiding landlords

Unless you’re in the fortunate position of owning your office space, you will need to keep your landlord informed on your fit out project at all times. Be sure to go over your lease with a fine toothcomb and consult your landlord before commencing work on your fit out project. Doing this will help you avoid any costly legal battles or liabilities that might arise from unknowingly breaching your tenant agreement.

10. Overlooking your employees’ opinions

Your employees are the ones who will be spending the most time in the workspace, so it only makes sense that they should have a say in the fit out design. After all, the reason you’re embarking on this journey in the first place is to improve their productivity and wellbeing – and to do that, you’ll need to know what motivates them and how the office space can meet their needs.

Where can you find quality office fit out contractors?

If you want an office fit out, you’ll need to find a specialist who knows what they’re doing. Contractors.Direct can save you all the time and energy you would spend on finding a reliable and trustworthy office fit out contractor by doing the hard work for you.

Our curated database of thoroughly vetted, qualified contractors are experts in their field, with years of experience and skill. Get in touch and we’ll connect you with the right company that can bring your fit out vision to life.