Tag Archives: Office Construction Services

Cost Factors to Consider for Your Commercial Office Buildout

Whether you’re opening a single office location or planning many, the cost of a commercial buildout is arguably the most critical concern to address when getting started. The cost of an office buildout will vary depending on the age and type of building systems, existing conditions of the space, the type of business occupying the space, local permitting requirements, the quality and types of materials being used, just to name a few. Here, we will take a look at the major cost factors to consider before construction begins on your new commercial office space.

#1 – Building Space Type

The first factor to consider is the building and space you are planning to remodel. These are generally categorized into two types by the office construction services industry – second-generation (second-gen) spaces and shell spaces.

Second-gen spaces are the most common, as they’re spaces that have been used for business before by a previous tenant. Typically, these spaces are more affordable to build out because the basic structure of the space is already suitable, and work mostly focuses on updating older features, implementing visual changes to make it reflect your brand more accurately, and some updates to plumbing, communications, and electrical systems. One factor that can increase these costs significantly is the age and condition of the building itself, with prices and project scope increasing according to how out-of-date the building is.

Shell spaces tend to be more costly to build out, as they are new spaces that haven’t been utilized before. While you have the advantage of being the first tenants and setting up everything exactly how you like it, the project itself is usually more complex and time-intensive. Also called capital improvement projects, building out a shell space involves major aesthetic, structural and infrastructure changes in order to create a completely custom space.

#2 – The Size of the Commercial Space

Bigger spaces are usually more costly to create, although you do gain the benefits of economy of scale by leveraging wholesale buying of materials, furniture, and so forth. In larger-scale projects, it is important to work with a partner who can properly manage this, balancing fixed costs like labor against discounts for bulk supplies to lower the project’s cost per square foot.

#3 – Layout, Amenities, and Intended Use

The more complexity and customization in your design concept, the more expensive the buildout is going to be – and the sky’s the limit here. While the amenities of, say, the Google campus are renowned as an exceptional workplace, it’s simply not achievable for the vast majority of businesses. This is where prioritizing certain aspects of a project becomes key in controlling and managing costs effectively, while delivering a space that is enjoyable to use, functional and impressive to clients. For example, a high-end café and break space for employees is going to carry significant costs in terms of equipment, furnishings, and design, as will a state-of-the-art conferencing space.

Office layout can also affect price, with private office spaces costing more per square foot than open-concept spaces. Your office construction services partner is invaluable not only in terms of laying out the costs per square foot of your project, but also in developing more flexible, creative, and cost-effective solutions that can deliver a completed space. One that matches your brand’s values and goals without overreaching on budget.

#4 – Quality of Materials

Quality comes at a price, and it’s up to each client to decide where their value point lies. However, it’s important to evaluate different materials and furnishings thoroughly to find those that are functional, aesthetically pleasing, and durable for your space – the aim is to land on great value, not cheapness. Simply choosing the materials that cost the least is not going to save as much as many people think. Not only can it result in a space that doesn’t present business accurately to clients and employees, but it also tends to wear faster, break more often and have a shorter lifetime, costing you more in the long run.

General Estimates for NJ Commercial Office Buildouts by BE Builds

As you can see, many different factors influence the ultimate cost of an office buildout. As a general guideline, however, you can expect to budget for your buildout as follows:

  • A low-range buildout can cost $50-$80 per square foot
  • A mid-range buildout can be between $80-$135 per square foot
  • A high-end buildout can be from $130-$200 and upwards per square foot

As an experienced office construction services provider, BE Builds understands the challenges today’s businesses face in terms of designing and creating a functional, brand-centric commercial space that supports business growth. With decades of industry experience behind us and an end-to-end offering that takes each project from design through construction, we leverage our resources to ensure every client gets a custom office design that works for their business, industry, and budget. To find out more about our commercial office buildout services, contact us today or visit our website at: https://bebuilds.com/

Originally posted at: https://bebuilds.com/cost-factors-to-consider-for-your-commercial-office-buildout/

How to Best Manage Timelines for Your Office Buildout

Office buildouts can be fairly complex projects, with multiple elements coming together in a set sequence in order to deliver a workspace on time and on budget. From signing the lease and designing the space, to the different elements of an office fit-out and, finally, the office move itself, it’s all about effective timeline management. The team at BE Builds has delivered exceptional quality, custom office fit-outs for many years, and we understand the stress that comes with this type of project. Here’s our guide on how to best manage these timelines.

Step #1 – Design

As soon as you have access to the space, it’s time to get office architects onsite to get a feel for the property. After assessing the location, they should have a sound understanding of what you want to achieve with the finished result, and what’s feasible within the space and budget.

This kicks off the design process that’s fundamental to realizing a truly productive workspace that represents your brand, is functional for your teams (especially in a more flexible post-COVID work environment), and is suited to your industry.

Step #2 – Permits and Planning Permissions

Once you have settled on your design, your office buildout team should move onto getting the planning permission and permits that your project requires. This is dependent on your city’s building department, so it is difficult to give an exact amount of time that this stage will take. For that reason, it’s a good idea to move on to steps 3 and 4 as soon as your applications are in, so that the project is ready to hit the ground running when permits are granted.

Step #3 – Furnishings, Features and Fixtures

This is the nuts and bolts stage where you start choosing what products and materials will be used in the office space. This includes everything from IT infrastructure, lighting and environmental controls to walls, storage, seating and desks. You should have a clear idea of the color scheme, what each department requires, and how this will fit into the overall setup.

Remember, many of the furnishings like desks, cabinetry, seating and reception furnishings will only be installed in the final stages of the project, so it’s best to set a delivery date that aligns with the timeframe for your project.

When selecting materials and furnishings, it’s recommended that you don’t just consider your budget, overall aesthetic or ergonomic design. In addition, it’s important to consider materials that will withstand rigorous, frequent sanitization, and products made without toxic elements such as formaldehyde, which is common in poor quality office furnishings1 .

Step #4 – Select a Contractor

For this step to work, the plans for your office buildout must have been finalized, as these are pivotal to costing out the project. As long as they are final, you can start collecting bids from contractors. When selecting contractors, it’s important that you use someone with sufficient, relevant experience backed up by client testimonials. They should be licensed, insured and bonded2 for the state that the work is to be completed in, and also ensure that your project will be completed within your expected timeframe.

Once you’ve hired a contractor, they will be able to give you a clear timeline for their work, including key milestones, as well as a final handover date. It is very important to understand these milestones and to note if your contractor is hitting them on time or not, as this can cause costly delays. It can also impact other aspects of the fit-out, including furniture delivery and subcontractor work.

Step #5 – Planning Your Office Move

Now is the time to start planning and coordinating your move from your old office into your new space if you haven’t done so already. Depending on the size of your office and the complexity of your move, this can take 3-6 months of planning3 .

In addition, start taking regular walkthroughs of your new office space with your contractor as work reaches completion. Inspect all work and write down any issues that need to be repaired or changed on your punch list, so that your contractor can do this work before your moving date, while the team is still onsite.

Take a Load Off – Leave Your Office Fit-Out in the Hands of Our Office Construction Services Team!

Of course, the easiest way to relieve the administrative burden of your office buildout is to utilize a team who can be trusted to handle it all for you. BE Builds is a full-service office construction services team based in New Jersey. With successful projects all across the tristate area, we work with each client to manage every aspect of the project, using our team to design, construct and furnish your new workspace.

Contact us today for a simpler, streamlined and hassle-free office buildout service, or visit our website at: https://bebuilds.com/services/office-buildout-installation/

https://ceh.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Flame_Retardant_EGuide_May_2017.pdf

https://www.freeadvice.com/legal/licensed-and-bonded-contractors-what-it-means-and-why-hire/

https://www.thespruce.com/plan-organize-office-or-business-move-2436522

Originally posted at: https://bebuilds.com/how-to-best-manage-timelines-for-your-office-buildout

The 3 Most Common Office Build-outs

When it comes to office design, form follows function! It’s all about creating a space that streamlines everyday business activities, aligns with your industry and supports the growth of your brand. COVID-19 may have thrown a wrench into the mix, but there’s still plenty of good reasons why the most common office build-outs are still being used today – although they are evolving to meet the needs of a changing work environment.

The team at BE Builds has decades of experience in the commercial office design and construction industry, assisting businesses in all sectors to develop bespoke, productivity-focused work environments. We’ve put together a quick guide of the most common office build-outs to help guide your office design strategy in a post-COVID work environment.

#1 – The Collaborative Design

Working together – it’s what we do best. We’re social beings and our interactions, conversations and collaborations form the foundation of almost every great business idea, feeding our productivity and drive to succeed. If you want a workspace that promotes engagement, innovation and productive collaboration, this flexible and multi-function design sets the standard.

Characteristics of collaborative office designs

  • Several different office spaces or zones differentiated by function or task, including large and small meeting rooms, brainstorming zones, team spaces and private workspaces.
  • Furniture and office design is usually modular, enabling people to join in and work together as needed. People can move in and out of different zones as their tasks change through the day or week. This is especially important as workplace flexibility trends gain ground1, allowing employees to work in a highly-productive space for collaborative tasks, meetings and networking away from distraction-heavy home environments.
  • Lower distraction levels, as different groups or individuals can move to different spaces as work tasks dictate.
  • Reduced costs, as organizational footprints can be reduced to highly-functional spaces that support flexible work environments, reducing square footage and operational costs while improving productivity. This is key in the evolving hub-and-spoke office design2.

Benefits

  • It’s easy to communicate over both formal and informal channels, making communication quick and easy, while promoting transparency and sharing of ideas.
  • There is a decent level of privacy as walls are used to create spaces for collaboration, as well as spaces for individual tasks.
  • It promotes a strong company culture and sense of togetherness, as well as a group focus on shared goals. This is especially critical as businesses develop a balance between the realities of a remote working team and the undeniable need for an office environment. In fact, this is one of the most-cited reasons for employees wanting to return back to the office3.
  • It’s easy to change and modify this agile environment, shifting walls and furniture to create new spaces as tasks demand for collaboration and remote employee support without wasting space or resources.

Disadvantages

  • Not the most affordable office design.
  • Shared spaces need strong hygiene protocols.

#2 – The Open Plan Design

Open plan offices have been with us for many decades, usually in the form of large, shared spaces made up of cubicles and workstations, and limited private offices. It’s a favorite for many businesses because it allows quick, clear communication, easy supervision and a fairly affordable design.

Characteristics of open office designs

  • Modular, one-size-fits all workstations and cubicles
  • Limited private offices/private spaces
  • Few walls
  • Lower construction and design costs
  • High employee density

Benefits

  • Plenty of natural light filters into the space due to the lack of walls. This can be enhanced with the use of glass architectural walls, saving energy costs and supporting employee wellness4.
  • Easy, quick communication between teams and colleagues, providing support for teamwork, collaboration and rapid decision-making.
  • Exceptional affordability in terms of design and square footage required, especially when working with large groups of employees. This space is also easily adaptable to new functions as they arise, and can be transformed into zones for different departments, multi-use areas and meeting spaces in order to support a flexible work environment.
  • Employees are accessible, easy to supervise and there’s increased transparency.

Disadvantages

  • The right strategic office design is necessary to ensure that open plan offices are productive, streamlined, functional and quiet. While the design is simple, it is easy to get it wrong if you don’t have an office construction company who understands your business and the demands of a post-COVID work environment.

#3 – The Private Office Design

Private offices are usually viewed as prime office space since they have a long and prestigious history of being traditional. Here, privacy is everything, and this design supports quiet, focused work and the ability to handle sensitive matters effectively. While this design has a lot to offer, it tends to represent a bygone era. This is because it doesn’t effectively align with many modern business environments where collaboration, innovation and teamwork are critical to growth and success.

Characteristics of private office designs

  • This design usually takes the format of private offices and conference rooms set along the windows of the space. Often, there are small, open plan spaces set aside for the specific use of different departments.
  • Privacy is prioritized over communication, allowing people to deal with sensitive tasks and information.
  • These are quiet office spaces where distraction is minimal.

Benefits

  • It’s easy to have private client meetings or to handle private matters – for example, if you are working in a law firm.
  • There are very few distractions, allowing people to focus on their tasks and improving productivity.
  • Private offices convey prestige and power, which many employees covet. It also sends a powerful message to clients.

Disadvantages

  • The cost of this office build-out is often high, as each office requires walls and individual furnishings, and each employee has to be allocated significantly more square footage.
  • The cost of this office build-out is often high, as each office requires walls and individual furnishings, and each employee has to be allocated significantly more square footage.
  • It can be very difficult to get natural lighting into the common or grouped areas of the office space.
  • These office build-outs tend to take more time and labor to complete.
  • It can affect office culture, preventing employees from building strong relationships with one another and setting certain employees above others in status and accessibility. In a post-COVID workplace environment, these are key considerations. In fact, the need to get one-on-one time, hold collaborative meetings and be a part of the workplace community are cited as key reasons for employees wanting to return to the office5.

Let’s Find the Right Office Build-out for Your NJ Business

At BE Builds, our experienced team has worked for decades with businesses in New Jersey across all sectors. We know the importance of understanding what your business wants to achieve with their office space, from the work you do and the people you employ to the culture you want to create. Together, we can set your brand in a powerful position, creating a space that’s productive, enjoyable to use, and tailored to your workflow. Contact us today and to find out more about our state-of-the-art office construction services.

Originally posted at: https://bebuilds.com/the-3-most-common-office-build-outs/

 

Sources:

  • https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/07/staff-demand-flexible-working-after-covid-19-adecco/
  • https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/01/3-in-4-workers-want-to-return-to-an-office-in-the-future.html
  • https://hbr.org/2018/09/the-1-office-perk-natural-light
  • https://www.gensler.com/us-wfh-survey-2020-wfh-reinforces-the-benefits-of-the-office