There are some common mistakes that cause costs to go up when an office is being set up or remodelled. Be aware of these common mistakes and read our tips on how to avoid them if you want to keep track of your office fit out costs. And if you want to learn how to make these things less likely to happen or even stop them from happening at all, keep reading.
Poor Tender Process
Not taking the time to do a full and proper tender process is a common mistake that drives up the cost of a project. All businesses that are worth their salt should be the same. From a local builder who has priced paving your driveway to a office fit out contractor like us, a good contractor will tell a potential customer to get a check price. In fact, the best thing to do is to get prices from at least three companies. Make sure that everything you want to be included has been priced when you compare prices.
The Wrong Contract
This can make keeping track of how work is going and when payments are due a full-time job, which takes attention away from day-to-day tasks or forces you to hire an expensive external experts to reduce your risk. It’s probably best to go with a standard contract in your field. A simple lump sum contract is the easiest for everyone. Anything added after the agreed-upon date is charged as an extra.
Indecision
office fit out cost will always go up if you can’t decide between different design options. It cuts down on delivery times, which makes it harder to find a good price. Even worse, if you change your mind after ordering something, it can cost you twice as much because refunds and credit notes are not always possible. Plan ahead to give yourself enough time to finish designs. Get the opinions of a few people you trust, and pay attention to what your contractor says.
Over Engineering
Like when we wrote about who really needs an expensive ergonomic chair in the office, some parts of an office fit out can be over-engineered. This means buying tools and features that are way too strong for what they are meant to do. Think carefully about how you want to use your furniture and finishes, and tell your contractor and suppliers. There may be ways to save money that would let you put your money to better use elsewhere.
Poor Project Management
Because the project wasn’t well planned, problems arose during the fit out or renovation. This could mean that deliveries are late or that people show up to work on the wrong days. Be sure to look at the project management record of your contractor. Look for references and reviews, and talk to people in your field or other people you know who have recently had a fit out or renovation done.
Hired the Wrong Person
Using a contractor who would be better for a different kind of fit out or renovation project. Building homes is a specialized area of construction, as are office fitout cost.
Before you ask potential office fit-out contractors to bid on your project, be sure to do a lot of research on them.