Making changes to your working environment is always going to cause some disruption, as well as costing money. But if your current office space is not being used effectively, is not safe or conducive to staff wellbeing or reflective of your company brand and values, then change is a necessity.
Of course, then comes the decision about whether relocating to a new premises or refitting your current space is the best option. The following comparison points should help you decide:
Just some of the costs that come with relocating to a new office include:
By contrast, the typical costs of fitting out your existing space involve far fewer initial outlays (see our page on typical costs of an office fit out) – plus there’s the option to lease the fit out and restrict the dent in cash flow.
Often businesses outgrow their workspaces – or think they have – but it’s generally down to poor organisation of files, equipment and machinery rather than staff numbers (unless you have expanded by dozens in a short space of time!). This is where a fit out becomes the ideal opportunity to maximise the space you have and use it more efficiently through smart solutions, storage and clearing out unnecessary clutter.
It comes as no surprise that relocation is very disruptive to business – both in planning and during the move itself – and there will certainly be downtime while the process is carried out. Can you afford to lose this time? Of course, a fit out by its very nature will cause some disruption too – but this is likely to be minimal, particularly when there is the option to accommodate staff in temporary cabins while works are underway.
A big part of the stress of relocation comes with trying to find premises that are suitable, affordable and accessible for staff. You’ll never be able to please everybody, and in some cases that may mean losing valuable members of the team. Undergoing a fit out is also a big change for any company, but with effective planning and change management the end result should enhance overall staff satisfaction, which unfortunately may not be the case with a move.
There’s a lot to be said for refreshing the working environment – it gives a new lease of life not just to the space but to staff, which means a more attractive company to prospective clients and recruits.
If you’d like to chat to Dale about what we could do for your office space, contact the team here or call 0114 233 1115.
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