Office fit-outs are not the cheapest task to undertake when trying to improve your business – but it is worth it. And if planned and executed properly, your fit-out project might not be as costly as you expect it to be. However, on the flipside of that same coin, if the incorrect caution is taken and wrong decisions are made when embarking on a fit out journey, it could lead to an increase in expenses that you aren’t prepared for.

Ensure that you keep on top of your refurbishment costs and stay within budget by avoiding these 9 factors that increase office fit out expenses.

1. Conducting an insufficient tender process

Not spending enough time on conducting a proper and thorough tender process is a common error that drives up the final price of a project. No matter the fit out business, from the small companies to the larger, more established ones, should be quoting you a similar price for your project.

The best practice is to get a minimum of 3 companies to provide a price, and when comparing quotes, make sure that all the costs you want are included and haven’t been left out. Be sure to check through all quotes thoroughly and pick the best one who fits your budget and has provided an overall cost that includes all your specifications.

2. Not having a proper contract in place

Choosing the wrong type of contract for your office fit out project can lead to a host of problems that may result in you having to keep track of the progress of work on a daily basis or hiring a costly external Quantity Surveyor or Project Manager to minimize your risk.

It might be best to choose an industry-standard contract or a simple lump sum contract – whatever you end up choosing, make sure your contract protects you and your business’ interests.

3. Indecision

Indecision can be a major liability in any aspect of life, not only in the office fit out industry. Not being able to decide on design options or constantly changing your mind on processes that have already been actioned or implemented can result in a lot of wasted time, effort and money.

When it comes to office fit out designs, its important to know what you want, be decisive about it and stick to your decision. It’s also a good idea to consider the opinion of your fit out specialist – after all, they are the experts.

4. Unsuitable design choices

Not every design option you like will be suitable for your office space. After all, an office design is about more than just the aesthetic. You need to consider designs that give way to a functional layout and practical space planning or else you’ll end up with a host of issues.

If your designer advises against a particular idea, it is for a good reason and it would be in your best interest to listen to them.

5. Over-engineering

There are times when certain elements of an office fit out can be over-engineered. This refers to buying equipment and features which are too robust and expensive for their intended purpose. Do you really need those fancy ergonomic chairs, or is there a cheaper alternative that will do the exact same job?

You need to think carefully about this and ask your contractors and suppliers about the intended use of your furniture and finishes. You might be able to save some money that can be better spent elsewhere in your budget.

6. Poor project management

A Project Manager oversees the daily progress of your project and ensures that it is delivered on time, on budget and exactly how you envisioned it. Therefore, good project management is vital to the success of an office fit out project.

Before work on the project commences, take the time to examine your contractor’s project management record. Look at references and reviews on the company’s website or social media pages. And if things do start becoming an issue, you can always hire your own freelance project manager to keep everything on track.

When using Contractors.Direct, you will never have to worry about this situation. We provide a dedicated Project Manager when connecting you with one of our qualified contractors to ensure that your warehouse project is delivered on time, on budget and to your specifications.

7. Delays

Delays are common in construction and fit out projects, even with the best teams on the job. Unfortunately, external events that you have no control over and accidents an occupational hazard in this industry. And in turn, this can affect the timeline of your project.

Our suggestion would be to factor in some slack into your contract. Have an ideal finish date to work towards, but have a more realistic finish that absolutely cannot be exceeded. You might not be able to predict a delay, but you can definitely plan for it.

8. Low-quality workmanship

It is not unheard of to end up with defective or poor workmanship after completion. Due to lack of skills, time or inferior product choice, contractors might cut corners or not deliver the best quality of work. This will result in higher costs to rectify the situation.

Avoid this problem altogether by keeping a close and regular eye on the progress and quality of work, as well as taking out a retention bond that will keep contractors keen to complete any defective work spotted after completion.

9. Choosing the wrong contractor

You could have the grandest plans and vision for your office fit out but that will all mean nothing if you don’t have skilled and experienced hands working on your project. Using a contractor who is better suited to a different type of fit out project, like retail or residential spaces, will end in a less than satisfactory result.

Before inviting any prospective contractors to tender for your project, make sure to fully research them beforehand and verify that they have the necessary experience and skill in office fit outs.

Where can you find quality office fit out contractors?

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