Ways to Work Smarter with these Office Fit-Out Tips
Before I became a shop fitter, I looked at office fit-outs as processes merely done for the purpose of enhancing the aesthetics of a company. After all, first impressions last, right? But when I started working in this industry, I realised and understood that office fittings are more than just for visual appeal. Let’s find out what office fit-outs are and how they can help companies work smarter.
Let’s talk about what office fit-outs are
Before diving into office fit outs, I’d like to share one experience working with a tech company in Melbourne. The company employed more than ten people but surprisingly operated from a cramped, old, poorly lit office. You can imagine the complaints their employees had about the noise, hassle, and inability to focus even during working hours. Realising the immediate need for revolutionary change, the company’s CEO invested in our office fitting services. We wanted to help them turn their office around by creating a space that effortlessly combines style, functionality, and comfort. So, what are office fit-outs?
An office fit-out or office fitting involves the transformation of a space into a functional, stylish, and comfortable working environment. This process involves office design, construction, and finishing to satisfy the needs and requirements of the company and its employees. A well-designed office fit-out can have a significant impact on employee well-being, productivity, and business performance. By optimising every square metre and creating a conducive work environment, businesses can improve their performance in many ways.
Why is office fitting important for companies?
Commercial office fit-outs are more than cosmetic upgrades; they are strategic investments in a company’s future. A well-designed office can improve employee productivity, well-being, and attraction, as well as customer satisfaction and the bottom line. In my decades of experience working in the field, I have seen how businesses are transformed and how their employees work better after a modern office fit-out. Take this as an example: we had a client operating a law firm. I was shocked that he didn’t have any waiting areas for his clients and had only one small meeting room to conduct their client meetings. A law firm should have an inviting yet professional atmosphere, starting with the reception areas down to their conference rooms. You don’t want to give your clients the impression that you have an unprofessional and accommodating staff! When it comes to businesses, first impressions matter, and we’re here to help you make great ones that impact your clients. Here are more reasons to convince you that office renovation is an investment.
- Employee Productivity: A well-thought-out and meticulously planned office design and layout can make work less complicated by removing spaces that you don’t need and adding functional spaces that help.
- Employee Well-Being: A more organised and streamlined office layout and design promotes the health of your employees by lessening their stress, reducing unnecessary noise, and providing them with spaces that help them focus on their work and relax as needed.
- Attract and retain manpower: Office refurbishments or office renovations create aesthetic and functional spaces that can attract many talented employees. People don’t want to work in drab spaces that will make their mental and physical health suffer! Plus, you’ll give them one more reason to stay.
- Client Satisfaction: When your client steps into your office, your business is already being judged. You want to provide clients with the ‘wow factor’ that helps validate that they’ve made the right choice.
Office fit-out tips for improved employee productivity
On average, Australians work 32.4 hours per week. This figure is based on data from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which publishes the number of hours worked per year by the average person in a country. The OECD obtains this figure by dividing the total number of hours worked in 2021 by the average number of employed people. In Australia, the average person works 1,683 hours per year. This means that Australians spend many hours in their offices throughout the week. This is why office design, layout, and fitting play an important role in a person’s well-being. To improve employee well-being, office fit-outs are crucial. As a seasoned shopfitter and building contractor, I can attest to the atmosphere-altering power of a well-thought-out workstation.
- It is essential to have ergonomic and comfortable workplace furniture, especially seats that support proper posture and back health.
- Incorporating natural light through windows or skylights not only enhances visibility but also positively affects mood and productivity.
- Furthermore, stress levels are lowered, and air quality is improved by including biophilic design features like indoor plants. In addition to cleaning the air, foliage produces a calm environment that promotes concentration and relaxation. Evidence suggests that biophilic design enhances creativity and general worker well-being.
- Wellness rooms and breakout areas operate as havens for rest, mindfulness practises, or physical activity, enhancing mental and physical well-being.
- Reducing eyestrain and increasing productivity need proper illumination. A cosy atmosphere is produced by letting in natural light or using appropriate artificial lighting, such as dimmable LED lamps.
- It is equally important to address acoustics since loud disturbances might interfere with focus.
- Lastly, it is critical to take employees’ mental health into account. Employees who work in a welcoming and inclusive environment are more likely to feel appreciated and understood, giving them the merit to give their best in everything they do. Holistic approaches to employee well-being include promoting mindfulness practises, offering cosy spaces for relaxation, and incorporating mental health programs into office design and fit-outs.
By offering a range of workspaces—from quiet rooms to collaborative areas—you’re allowing your employees to select the environment that best meets their requirements, lowering stress levels and increasing output, which is always good for your business!
How much will an office fit-out cost me?
You’ve almost decided to invest in that overdue office renovation for your company, but one thing’s holding you back: the cost of an office fit out. At Shop Fitters Melbourne, we understand that the cost of office fittings is a factor that cannot be overlooked. In our years of working in the shop fitting industry, we have found out that there is no one-size-fits-all pricing when it comes to commercial fit outs and office fittings.
There are a lot of factors that contribute to the cost of an office fit-out, whether you’re looking for a small office fit-out or an interior office fit out. These factors include the size of your office, the current layout, how complex the office design is, the quality and availability of materials, the finishing (including furnishings, etc.), the integration of technology, the time it takes to complete the project, plumbing works, manpower, and the office’s location. Normally, office fit outs would include personal workstations, conference rooms, reception areas, waiting areas, lighting and HVAC, painting, and the furnishing of the entire office. The price of office fittings in Melbourne ranges from $500 to $2,000 per square metre or more, depending on the abovementioned factors. To get a more exact estimate of office fitting costs around Melbourne, it’s best to contact the commercial fitting experts here at Shop Fitters Melbourne.
Office Fit Outs FAQ
Here are some questions you should ask yourself to determine if you should invest in an office fit out by an office fitout company like ours at Shop Fitters Melbourne:
- Is the workplace conducive to business expansion?
- Does the workplace embody and promote your brand identity?
- Does the workplace contribute to staff retention and attracting a new workforce?
- Does the workplace align with your sustainability initiatives?
- Is the workplace financially efficient?
If you have answered ‘no’ to more than two questions, it’s time to ask for help from prime shop fitters at Shop Fitters Melbourne.
Smart offices, which are revolutionising the traditional office environment by combining cutting-edge networking and collaboration technology, are reshaping the future of work and workspaces. Experts predict that as technology develops, smart appliances, furniture, and gadgets—items that react to outside cues like light, temperature, or stress—will become increasingly popular in offices. By connecting systems and gadgets through the Internet of Things (IoT), these “smart offices” create a more efficient and productive work environment. Ultimately, smart workplaces enable improved cooperation and coordination beyond geographic boundaries.
A key component of every workplace fit-out’s design and planning is collaboration. A business cannot move forward if it doesn’t practise the art of collaboration. It not only encourages innovation and contentment among employees but also simplifies work, increasing productivity. Effective communication has become more and more important as more companies are managing teams remotely and operating from different places. Workspaces that promote collaboration foster a feeling of expansiveness and connectivity, which mitigates the isolation that may arise in individual settings.
Collaborating can be done by applying some of the following:
- Design your office in such a way that it provides social interaction; an example of this is four-person cluster desks.
- Create break-out rooms or spaces where groups can huddle to work together.
- Provide a brainstorming space or area.
- Build a culture of creativity by setting up spaces where employees can say what’s on their mind, write ideas, and give suggestions and criticism.
