Office fit out planning and process FAQs

Click on the links below to jump to the relevant questions:

• What are the steps involved in an office fit out?
• How long does an office fit out take?
• Will I need a feasibility study?
• What health and safety requirements will I need to consider?
• How do I ensure a proper risk assessment is carried out?

What are the steps involved in an office fit out?

Redesigning and refurbishing a workspace is not limited to the fit out itself – there’s a lot of planning, collaboration and management involved. The following steps might help you visualise the process:

1. Defining why you need to redesign and reconfigure the office space.
2. Appointing a project team that’s inclusive and representative of the whole company.
3. Speaking to office design and fit out companies.
4. Collaborating and deciding internally on the type of space that would suit the company.
5. Agreeing on a budget for the project.
6. Working closely with your appointed fit-out partner to finalise the right design.
7. Selecting the right furniture for the new environment.
8. Managing the works on site.
9. Managing the handover.
10. Supporting staff to move in and get settled.

How long does an office fit out take?

There is no formula to work out how long the fit-out process will take, since this depends on a number of variables including the type of fit out, the size of the space and the number of employees. But we find a typical project will last for around 8 to 12 weeks from start to finish. Take a look at our guide to an office fit out for more information on what’s involved.

Will I need a feasibility study?

A feasibility study is an important part of the planning process for office fit outs, since it involves testing the financial, practical and environmental viability of the project. At Dale we are on hand to help with:

• feasibility planning
• researching relevant compliance aspects and permissions required
• undertaking extensive research into your business
• evaluating the design possibilities
• presenting a fully costed, risk assessed proposal.

Get in touch with us if this is something you’re interested in.

What health and safety requirements to I need to consider?

All employers have a responsibility to ensure their workspace meets the necessary requirements to protect the staff working within it. To make sure the office environment is as safe as it should be, you need to consider the following:

• Layout – this isn’t just about aesthetics; it needs to be conducive to the health and wellbeing of your staff, as well as being completely unobstructed.
• Lighting – poor office lighting is a health hazard as well as being bad for morale. If it’s possible, try to maximise natural light in your office design to make the space brighter and lighting costs lower.
• Fire safety – it may sound obvious, but every office should have a robust fire safety system in place, with fire hazards minimised to the lowest possible level.
• Facilities – with toilets, for example, there need to be enough for your staff members. You should also consider whether disabled access and additional facilities are needed. All communal facilities need to be cleaned frequently to ensure they are free from bacteria and well stocked with hand washing products.

How do I ensure a proper risk assessment is carried out?

A full risk assessment is a legal requirement for all workspaces. Fortunately, the government’s Health and Safety Executive provides a tool for office managers to follow. However, with a redesign and refit, a risk assessment should be integral to the design process and your office design specialist will work with you on making the environment as low-risk as possible for you and your staff.