Planning to Refurbishment or Fit-out your Office Interiors? Know this…

Planning to Refurbishment or Fit out your Office interiors? Know this…

They say change is inevitable. And for most cases, this is true. From upgrading your formal wear to revamping your workspace – almost everything needs a change.

If you are corporate entity operating out of the business districts like KLCC or KL Sentral the need for a professional cum functional office interior cannot be understated. Indeed, a chic office design is part of business branding and prestige. And this should not be limited to large organizations only. Office renovation is equally important to small and medium enterprises as well.

So, you’ll probably be interested in digging out a little more information about office refurbishment & fit outs. And while these terms may sound like two almost identical things; however, both terminologies entail two quite different processes! Let’s find out more…

What Is an Office Refurbishment and Why Is it Needed?

An office refurbishment typically includes tittivating the entire workspace interiors. It is often done when space has already been used, but there is need for a re-design and upgrade. This may happen in order to align to a new corporate image or perhaps due to organic growth in the business and staff numbers. Normal wear and tear can be another factor here, as surfaces and furniture can become damaged over time and need to refresh the workspace becomes compelling.

What Is an Office Fit Out?

This refers to updating a formal space so that it can be used to its maximum potential. You begin with only the core elements of a room or building. And then take up the responsibility of installing everything that’ll make the workspace suitable for working in.

There are several types of office fit outs:

• Shell and Core Fit Out: This type usually comprises the structure base plant, cladding, common spaces, external works, lift shafts, and mechanic and electrical works.
• Category A Fit Out: This is the succeeding level of finish after shell and core and generally refers to the addition of items like separating walls, raising floors, blinds, and suspending ceilings.
• Category B Fit Out: Finally, this category involves all the “finishing touches” your office might need. These include office furniture, kitchen area fit outs, branding, lighting, security equipment installation, and more.

How Are the Two Different?

Between office refurbishment and fit out, the former is required when a lived-in space becomes outdated or lacking in resources and needs a complete renovation to combat the presented issues. Whereas the latter involves making a blank canvas into an inhabitable space. You begin with only the core structure by itself and take up the responsibility of installing everything that’ll make the space suitable for working in.

Factors to Consider Before Starting the Project

Office renovation be it a refurbishment or a fit-out is a dainty task and needs a lot of thorough planning to achieve the desired result. So, before going ahead, consider the following –

1. Comprehensive Budget Estimate

Before running a commercial office refurbishment & fit out project, check that the initial quote received from the renovation contractor is comprehensive and negates any additional expenses. Furthermore, after evaluating the quotes, also ensure it covers the following:

• Technical plans
• Material delivery
• Construction
• Design briefs

2. Design that Represents the Brand Accurately

The new office design should replicate your company’s brand colors, culture, appearance, vision, and values. It should be an overview of your marketing strategy. That way, clients get an accurate impression when they walk into your office, read the brochures and flyers, browse the company’s website, or skim through its social media pages.

3. Ensure Uninterrupted IT & Telecoms

Effective communication should not be hindered when moving from one workplace to another or while office renovation. Depending on the business type, any slight miscommunication may result in inconveniencing or losing several clients. And you can avoid this by hiring a reliable interior design firm that’ll create a solid migration plan for the overall communication system. Adhering to this ensures that clients can reach out via email, text, or call even when the business is moving into a new space.

Broad-level Steps for Office Refurbishment & Fit Out

It goes without saying that by picking us to deliver your office refurbishment & fit out, we ensure phenomenal success. However, we have also compiled a quick checklist to help you if you’re on the fence about a revamp.

• Know when it is the right time to move in to refurb your office
• Set an attainable budget and realistic financial expectations
• Define your goals and understand your reasons for office refurbishment & fit out
• Find the perfect interior design specialist to team with

Case Study of an Office Refurbishment Project

Sarawak Consolidated Industries Berhad (SCIB) – a well-known investment holding company transformed its workspace with experts from Blaine Robert Design. Located in the business center of Cyberjaya and a space of 3000 sq ft, refurbishment services were completed within a duration of just 5 weeks.

Keeping an industrial minimalist design in mind, the finished results display an elegant and sophisticated vibe to the working space, with a subtle silhouette that hits the nail on the head. Have a look at the completed office renovation project here.

Conclusion

In the end, it all comes down to the fundamentals of how your business works and what level of productivity you expect from your team. Moreover, adhering to staff welfare and overall employee well-being will go a long way to create an ideal company image for your business to thrive.

For this reason, we recommend you get in touch with a corporate interior design in Malaysia who will apply their skills and expertise to give you the best results!