Sourcing a contractor for your office fit out in Dubai is more than just finding someone to paint a few walls and install lighting fixtures in your workplace. It’s about choosing the right partner who is as invested in making your vision come to life as you are. An ideal contractor is someone who can not only implement your ideas but collaborate with you and others on your team to execute your project better than expected.
We understand that sourcing the right office fit out company is a task that is easier said than done. That’s why we put together a few pointers to help you prepare for the process of finding a suitable contractor:Prepare a detailed brief
Before commencing any work on your project, you need to create a detailed guideline that accurately depicts the vision you have for your office space. Even the best fit out contractors need a little guidance to execute your project perfectly.
This guideline should include all the necessary information about your business and staff, the individual and group requirements, and the facilities that are needed in the workplace. Be sure to talk to your employees about what they need and what their expectations for the fit out are, as to not miss anything. The brief should also include a recommended timeframe for execution as well as a preliminary budget.
By having this guideline, each potential contractor will get a clear idea of what is expected from them and their team. If they are not up to the job, you will know this before you’re in too deep.
Do your homework
When sourcing office fit out contractors, you will be doing a lot of research and background checks. There are hundreds of contractors and fit out companies in the UAE alone – but not all of them will be the right match for your project. Be sure to take the time to find out who the best commercial fit out contractors are in your area by making use of multiple resources like searching the internet, client referrals and industry associations.
Get the necessary authorization
It’s all well and good to find the perfect contractor for your office fit out project – but it will mean absolutely nothing if you do not have the necessary authorization to carry out the work. Make sure that the contractor you choose is well versed on all the regulatory approvals needed and that your proposed project plan complies with health and safety regulations, as well as building codes. If you do not own your office space, ensure that your contractor requests approval from your landlord before beginning any renovations or construction.
Shift toward green and sustainable designs
Focus your search on contractors who have a more sustainable vision and that opt to deliver energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective designs. Sustainable designs are more than just a passing trend – it is a necessary shift that is not only beneficial for the environment and the future of the Earth but also your company. Research has shown that offices that adopt a “Green” design see a marked improvement in profitability due to increased employee productivity and wellbeing, as well as lower operational costs.
Do all the necessary background checks
As mentioned earlier, the bulk of your time when sourcing office fit out contractors will be dedicated to thorough research and background checks to ensure that the candidates are legitimate, reliable, and competent. These background checks can be done through various means, like reviewing portfolios of work, getting clients reviews, checking the financial stability of the company, and paying on-site and office visits. If you are satisfied with what you see and hear throughout this process, it is a good indicator that you will happy with the process and end result of your project.
Request proposals
Like with anything in life, you shouldn’t accept the first offer that comes your way – trust us, there’s always something better waiting around the corner. When shortlisting companies, you should share the design brief with each prospective candidate and ask them to submit a fit out and design proposal within a specified deadline.
When all the proposals are received, assess each one on the following:
- How well they understood the brief
- Specification of work required or to be considered
- Cost breakdowns
- Optional and associated costs
- Timeline delivery schedule with milestones
- Assumptions exclusions
- Terms and conditions of contract which includes insurance, liabilities, payment terms, conflict resolution terms, and other relevant points
- Follow-up of after delivery service – if any is provided
Ask questions
When shortlisting contractors for your office fit out project, be prepared to interview each candidate with a set of relevant questions that are designed to evaluate if they are suitable or not. Listen carefully not only to their answer but to how they answer as well. Are they knowledgeable, experienced, and open to collaboration? What is the weekly written and verbal reporting mechanism in place to ensure that you are kept in the loop and aware of step in the process?
Choose the most suitable contractor
Once you have thoroughly prepared for the process of shortlisting candidates and completed all the necessary investigation into each prospective contractor, all that is left is choose the one most suitable for your specific project.
When faced with multiple quality contractors who all seem right for the job, follow your gut instinct. Working with a fit out company involves much more than just nuts and bolts – so be sure to go with the team that makes you feel comfortable and most at ease.
Alternatively, if you want to avoid the hassle and stress that comes with sourcing an office fit out contractor, then we have the perfect solution for you. Contractors.Direct specializes in connecting thoroughly vetted qualified contractors with those who require their services. Coupled with our Project Management team, you can rest assured knowing that your project will be delivered on time and on budget to the highest quality. Get in touch with us here.
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