Moving offices is hideously expensive and can cause major disruption to business resulting in loss of revenue, key staff or even customers. A refurbishment programme can avoid many of these problems if managed well. Here are some Dos and Don’ts to bear in mind when approaching a refurb project:
- Do put plenty of time and effort into deciding what you want from the exercise. Create some clear (and realistic) objectives that will deliver benefits that are worth all the hassle.
- Don’t appoint just anyone to manage the project. It’s going to be a time consuming, difficult and crucial job. Get the best person you can.
- Do talk to your landlord about what you can and can’t do to their building. If you don’t you may be in breach. Understand your dilapidation obligations.
- Don’t forget to set up communication links with all the other stakeholders involved. Those being moved and those affected by the move including your neighbours.
- Do draw up a detailed project management process including roles, responsibilities, plan, budget, change processes etc.
- Don’t appoint cowboy builders f you want a professional job. Take time to select the right partners and look at similar work they have done.
- Do involve specialists where necessary especially on Health & Safety, IT, Planning and so on. The refurb probably comes under the CDM regulations. Make sure you are compliant.
- Do carefully study what you’ve got and how you use it. Consider all the alternatives and try to think ahead. Take the opportunity to clear out the junk.
- Don’t forget to keep good records. Take photos before, during & after. You may need them in the event of any dispute
- Don’t expect everything to go smoothly. Things will go wrong. Anticipate them. Prepare contingency plans