Whether your office is big or small, older or newer, there are times when renovations are desired or necessary. Making sure everything is in line with current building codes, upgrading systems for new technologies, or just sprucing things up a bit takes time and money.

When you have a laundry list of items you need to replace or areas you would like to renovate, costs can get out of control fast. Don’t worry, there are a number of ways you can reign in your spending and still get the office revamp you hoped for.

Talk to Employees

Before you start any office renovation that will affect how your employees work or use the space, get their feedback. They’re the ones that interact in the office environment most and can tell you when and what things need the most attention.

It’s best to speak one-on-one if you can, since not all employees like to speak in front of a group. Emails and surveys aren’t always promptly answered or answered by everyone due to regular work tasks.

Prioritize

Once you have employee feedback, organize it with your own ideas and create a list. Evaluate that list and decide which tasks need the most attention first. If the chairs at employees’ desks are falling apart, make sure replacement is high on the priority list.

Create a Budget

When you decided an office renovation was in order, you also took a look at your bottom line. How much money do you have to allocate to a renovation? With that number in mind, take a look at your priority list and allocate funds as necessary. When the money runs out, make a hard line and save the rest for later.

Don’t forget to create a contingency fund. If you have major renovations planned – like ripping down walls to replace or upgrade wiring – you’ll want to be prepared if it’s more than you bargained for. You also may have to consider moving the money around or nixing something lower on the priority list to ensure you have the money to fix the problem.

Create a Schedule

If these renovations interrupt workflow, you may want to complete work in stages, offer remote work options throughout the project, or complete work when employees are not around. However you intend to handle it, create a schedule. Include dates for specific tasks where employees should not be present (like during painting or demolition activities) and the duration of each task. For example, plan painting for a Friday to give that ‘new paint smell’ time to dissipate over the weekend when employees are not around.

Having a schedule also helps with ordering larger items. If you’re having new doors or windows installed, scheduling when they’ll arrive and when they’ll be installed is imperative to the work continuing on schedule and on budget.

Cost-Effective Renovations that Make a Big Impact

If you need to be budget-minded with your next renovation, there are a number of steps to take to maximize the effects of your renovations without spending an arm and a leg. Consider adding some of these to your list:

Maximize Natural Light

Adding more windows, skylights, or sun tunnels may be out of your control, but how you use the ones you have is not. An easy way to keep costs under control while adding natural light is as easy as moving employee work spaces and collaboration areas to places with maximum exposure. Use mirrors or other reflective surfaces to bounce the light around the room, making it feel bigger and brighter.

Shared Spaces

When employees are confined to their workstations, productivity and creativity can suffer. Creating a break room, kitchenette, coffee bar, or other shared space where colleagues can convene socially can be as easy as clearing unused space and setting up. If you’re looking to create a kitchenette from scratch, you’ll need to make sure the wiring can handle the extra load from a microwave, refrigerator, coffee pot, or other small appliance. Provide comfortable furnishings where employees can sit and enjoy lunch or sit and talk about something other than work for a few minutes.

Make Way for New Technology

Make sure you put this one high on the priority list, especially if it’s been a while since you’ve upgraded. You may need new electrical wiring or internet cable to take advantage of the latest technology. If you’re considering that kitchenette or coffee bar, make sure to shop for energy-efficient appliances. The cost savings over time is worth the investment now.

While it may not be in the budget this time around, consider AI-driven tech that can help control major systems like HVAC, lighting, and more. Such systems have certain requirements, and upgrading now will make future implementation easier.

Paint

One of the most obvious cost-effective ways to renovate without breaking the bank is a fresh coat of paint. Go with company branding near the client- or consumer-facing entrance, and let your imagination go in private offices and employee work areas that are off-limits to visitors.

Consider low- or zero-VOC and other natural paints. They come in a similar rainbow as traditional paints, with fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) than traditional paint. Other options include natural paints made with plant oils, chalk, clay, and natural pigments, water-based paints, and recycled paint – paint that has been collected, processed, and repurposed into new paint. Read our article about The Impact of Sustainable Paints on Indoor Air Quality for more information and tips.

Consult employees about paint colors in their areas of the office. Consider their suggestions and choose paint colors everyone will enjoy. Check out this article from our sister company, Realty Asset Advisors, on the Role of Color Psychology in Workplace Design for more tips.

Reduce Clutter

You’ll need to remove a lot of things to make way for the renovations you make. Take advantage of the opportunity to reduce the clutter of unused furnishings, appliances, and accessories. You’ll gain more space for your renovation plans and enjoy a cleaner office environment without ripping out walls or making other substantial changes in the name of more space. Once the cleaning is done, implement a plan and schedule to keep the clutter at bay!

Add Some Green

Use some of your green to add some green around the office. The strategic placement of potted and other plants is a multi-fold solution when you’re renovating the office on a budget. The plants you choose will bring color and scent, absorb CO2 and other chemicals in the air for cleaner, fresher air, and answer our innate human need to connect with our natural surroundings.

Choose low-maintenance plants to make care simple and easy in a space that isn’t occupied 24/7. Even artificial plants provide the benefits of biophilic design. Ask us about using the principles of the theory of biophilia in your renovation as a way to save money during the renovation process and beyond.

Create an Open-Office Concept with Room for Privacy

Rather than put up more walls, take them down! Creating an open office with collaboration areas and private workspaces is an easy way to make a big impact without blowing the budget. Invest in soundproof movable partitions to create private workspaces when employees need to focus.

Refurbished Furnishings

If furnishings only need minor repairs, scuff marks, scratches, or other little imperfections, choose to make those improvements rather than buying all-new. If replacement is necessary, shop for refurbished goods which are often less expensive than brand new.

Final Thoughts

These ideas are a great place to start when you need to renovate the office while sticking to a budget. We at Structr Group know you have your own needs and ideas and look forward to helping you design and bring to life an office renovation you’ll enjoy foor years to come.

Contact us today!