8 Common Office FitOut Mistakes

Avoid these fit out faux pas for your business’ sake

A brand new office fit out has the potential to speak volumes for your company — raising employee satisfaction whilst offering customers and clients an arresting experience.

Unfortunately, the initial foresight of many business owners’ doesn’t always go to plan, and companies are left to pick up the pieces of their ineffective planning. Despite the best intentions and resources, there can be still be a number of key errors limiting your office fit out’s success.

The biggest mistake any business or startup can make is to consider their office fit out an expense rather than an investment. Fitting out your office should never be a waste of time or money — so avoid these common oversights when fitting out your office to take your establishment further into the realms of success.

1. Rushing Through The Planning Stage

“...skipping this process won’t do your business any favours.”

Planning is the key to a well-executed office fit out — and despite your push for time, skipping this process won’t do your business any favours. Rushing through the planning stage can end up being one of your biggest expenses for your office fit out, and you could end up suffering a host of unforeseen structural or refurbishment setbacks along the way.

Consider a fit out expert to optimise your office space and stretch your construction budget with some effective planning strategies.

2. No Room For Collaboration

“Enhancing the very space where ideas come together is an essential business practice you can’t afford to neglect.”

Where there’s no room for a collaborative office space, there’s no chance of a flourishing business. Enhancing the very space where ideas come together is an essential business practice you can’t afford to neglect. A well-rounded office culture is integral to the quality of work produced by your employees — which is why you should tear down those walls and boost your internal communication with an open plan that’s buzzing with innovation and shared resources. If you’re concerned about office disruptions, you can establish some innovative ways to partition your space — offering privacy without shutting ideas and collaborative efforts out.

3. Dysfunctional Layout Design

“It’s easy to get carried away with a creative intention — but self-serving ideas often fail to reach the end goal of fitting out that dream office.”

Don’t envision your design purely through your own eyes — think about your office layout from a visitor's or employee’s perspective, and ask yourself, “is my layout functional, easy-to-navigate, and with plenty of purpose?”

It’s easy to get carried away with a creative intention — but self-serving ideas often fail to reach the end goal of fitting out that dream office. Be inspired, but not engrossed.

Remember to cater for every single aspect of your office, not just your workspace. The office break room, reception, and conference room need just as much attention to achieve a dynamic, professional working environment that’s built for endless growth and opportunities.

4. Forgoing Contractors With DIY Disasters

“The cost of hiring a professional contractor to do the job will cost you no more than the price of fixing the disasters you’re likely to incur if you take on the job yourself.”

Don’t think you can cut costs by cutting corners and doing it yourself. Mistakes come with a hefty price tag. The cost of hiring a professional contractor to do the job will cost you no more than the price of fixing the disasters you’re likely to incur if you take on the job yourself. And although trying to DIY may seem like a good idea at first, fitting out an office is no easy conquest — and you could find yourself in a bigger mess than the one you were in to begin with.

Maximise your return on investment by hiring a one-stop-shop fit out service with extensive experience in office alterations and refurbishing — a fit out specialist will best be able to incorporate your needs into the final project.

5. Inadequate Lighting And Airflow

“...lighting is the easiest way to attract your customers and clients, and keep the office engaged.”

Lightbulb moment! Harsh fluorescent lighting and a lack of oxygen to the brain will have a negative impact on your employee’s productivity and overall performance. Light up ideas and innovation with plenty of fresh air and natural light by centralising your use of windows and skylights throughout the entire office. Good use of lighting is the easiest way to attract your customers and clients, and to keep the office engaged. Not only do windows and skylights help cut the cost of those electricity bills, but they’re also the most environmentally friendly choice for lighting up a space.

6. Replicating Other Office Designs

“...trying to replicate a design you came across on Pintrest won’t leave a poignant impression on your clients and customers.”

Corporate transparency is essential for maintaining your business’ reputation — which is why facades fail to work wonders for businesses when it comes to office fit out design. Seeking inspiration is one thing; but trying to replicate a design you came across on Pintrest won’t leave a poignant impression on your clients and customers.

Office motifs representing core values and achievements, and other design themes which are quintessentially true to your business, will inevitably set your establishment apart from your competition.

7. Ineffective Budgeting

“Be mindful of your expenditure and don’t improvise your budget as you go along...”

There’s absolutely no need to blow the lid off your budget when it comes to executing your dream work environment. Effectively budgeting for an office fit out is one of the biggest priorities of business owners looking to improve their workspace. Be mindful of your expenditure and don’t improvise your budget as you go along — such rash decision-making could wind up costing you thousands more than you bargained for. Fast Fitouts offers expert advice on which design and fit out solutions are the most cost-efficient, working within the limits of your financial blueprint.

8. Failing To Consider Long-Term Business Plans

“Having the foresight to allow for prospective growth is a savvy move for any business or startup.”

You’ll be doing your establishment a massive favour by carefully considering your long-term plans and prospects before settling on a fit out design. Having the foresight to allow for prospective growth is a savvy move for any business or startup. So saddle up for the long haul and have the experts fit out a flexible space that’s built for any future expansion or corporate ambitions. Instead putting up permanent wall fixtures, offer adaptive team-oriented zones with contemporary office partitioning designs.

Now Let's Talk Solutions...

Fast Fitouts offers solutions to all of these common office fit out mistakes and more, supporting you alongside every aspect of your project. If you’d like to get the ball rolling with some expert advice, reach out to Adam and the friendly team at Fast Fitouts. Call us on 1300 303 831 or email info@fastfitouts.com.au for a free concept design and budget estimate

Lets GEt The Ball Rollng!

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