A dedicated workspace or home office helps develop a strong sense of routine when it comes to your daily tasks and eliminates interruptions or distractions that can leave you drained, depleted, and dumbfounded. It can create a more professional image for your business, making it easier for clients or customers to find and meet you. If you have a team (or a group), having your own office can make things more straightforward – people are more productive, help make better decisions, and achieve big goals.
If you’ve recently had a cash injection or your business is slowly but surely growing, why don’t you build your own office? It’s certainly better than renting or buying. Even if you find something that fits the bill, you’ll have to compromise in some way, whether it’s size, amenities, or location, so you’ll end up with an office that’s close but not quite there. Building your own is the perfect choice – it’ll be 100 per cent fit for the purpose. The best way to decide whether to lease, buy, or build an office is to talk it over.
Building an office from scratch can be both exciting and challenging. So, where do you begin planning? Keep reading for some useful tips for a successful project.
Figure Out How You’re Going to Pay for It All
Renting or buying office space requires a tremendous investment from a business, so it’s not a decision to take lightly. Building your own place isn’t as costly as you think, and the benefits are clear for all to see, but plan everything out so your company can operate during this time. Financing such a project is somewhat different than getting out a mortgage. You can use a commercial construction loan to pay for the land, materials, and workers; know early on how much money the bank will lend you to see if you can turn your dream into a reality.
Don’t Choose a Business Location on A Whim
Choosing the right location can make all the difference between success and disappointment, so if you like to do things on a whim, you’ll most likely regret your harsh actions. Plan, research, and be willing to vet all of your options. The last thing you want is loud noises to disrupt your workflow, so list your requirements to avoid wasting time checking out places that don’t fit the bill. It makes sense to seek a location inside or outside a specific zone or municipality to enjoy tax relief, as you may be entitled to deductions with respect to loan interest, property depreciation, and so on.
Think About What Foundation Your Office Will Need
If not completed correctly, the foundation can affect the strength and resilience of the office, so the building won’t be reliable or last a long time. Put simply, it provides a stable base for the structure. In most cases, a simple foundation design will do just fine. Concrete is particularly useful for the foundation of an office because it’s poured in as a liquid, so it naturally flows into all the corners of the layout and is set up much faster. Ready-mix concrete is incredibly popular – it’s made to your requirements, which means there’s little to no waste. The less you have to throw away, the less money you’ll have to spend.
Concrete that comes already mixed offers the ideal blend of efficiency, so when it’s time to choose a high-quality grade for your project, go with the most trusted name in Newcastle and across the North East. Preparing for the delivery doesn’t require major work; just make sure the site is as clean as possible and remove things like debris and waste. The ready-mix concrete will start to set in as soon as water is added. For a tricky site or anything out-of-the-ordinary, you’ll need a structural engineer. Indeed, it’s an added cost, but you’ll find more comfort this way.
Be Sure You Have a Comfortable Working Environment
As with any project, focus your budget on factors that’ll boost the office’s long-term value and overall performance, like insulation to save money on heating and cooling and ensure employees are comfy in their work environment. An office will be used all year round, so go down the bespoke route to tailor the workspace to your needs. Here are some simple ways to create a balanced environment in your office:
- Follow the biophilic design: Include a few plants and flowers, get more natural light in, use earth colours (beige, olive, moss, etc.), and look for sustainable materials. To attract top talent, your space needs to reflect your culture.
- Implement ergonomics: If the office isn’t built to keep you and others comfortable, you’re at risk of repetitive strain injuries. Sitting is worse than smoking, so have standing desks for a positive influence on well-being. Also, invest in ergonomic chairs that come with a backrest that supports the natural curve of the spine.
- Reduce the noise: Sound-absorbing materials can counter noise in open office plans, so don’t be quick to disregard acoustic wall panels that create a more serene atmosphere. It can be doubled up as a message board, so you can fully take advantage of the office space.
- Engage employees in the design process: The best offices are the ones that consider the needs and preferences of the people who use them. Without further ado, why don’t you let your team decide the colour, shape, details, and style of the workplace?
Concluding Thoughts
The best office setup depends on personal preferences, so think about your wants and needs (and those of your employees) to appreciate what things might be necessary. Your office space should be light and airy but not overly modern to the extent that it becomes distracting, as you should be comfortable and happy to improve your business performance. Although not a requirement, design elements can lift up your mood, keeping you inspired and energised throughout the day, so work can flow as easily as foot traffic. Building your own office from the ground up helps your company strengthen its brand. What could be better?