Once you've picked the right property, the chances are you'll
need an office fit out. That's why we've put together this guide on
everything you'll need to consider when managing the fit-out:

When should you do the fit-out?

It's important that you don't leave the fit-out too late: if you
do so, you might find yourself having to deal with delays. 
Some companies end up having to pay rent in two different places
simply because they haven't left enough time before moving to fit
the renovation in!  A fit-out really can hold you back if you
don't schedule it efficiently.

What does a fit out typically involve?

This will depend on your business.  For some companies, a
fit-out will simply mean moving your office equipment across and
having the necessary IT, telecoms and utilities connected. 
For other companies, it can be more substantial and involve
re-configuring space, creating raised floors, installing additional
equipment and having a comprehensive redecoration carried out.

What do you need to do in advance?

Any and all works will obviously have to be agreed with the
landlord in advance, and you'll also need to have the necessary
planning permissions and building regulation approval. 
Without the consent of a landlord, you won't be able to
proceed.

Bear in mind that you will likely have to restore the property
to the agreed condition, so always keep your design as
straight-forward as possible.  The more complicated it is, the
more work you'll have to do to remove it if you move later on!

Plan, plan, plan

You will need to identify early on exactly what you require and
how it will be implemented.  For larger fit-outs, it's typical
to require the assistance of an external fitting-out
contractor.

Working with a fit-out contractor will mean an extra fee, but
you'll nearly always make your money back as a result.  An
experienced contractor will help you to avoid any potential
pit-falls, and will know which approach is going to be the most
efficient.

Seeking specialist advice

In any fit-out, you'll usually need to speak to a number of
specialists:

One of the major things to consider is obtaining specialist IT
advice: because a great many modern businesses rely substantially
on their IT infrastructure, it's usually wise to have a consultant
look at the new building so they can help you plan.

Another specialism that you'll need to look at is having a
Workstation Risk Assessment carried out: this will ensure that your
new fit-out is compliant with all of the necessary regulations.

A mechanical and electrical engineering consultant will be able
to evaluate whether or not the existing plant servicing the space
is sufficient to meet your requirements for air-conditioning,
heating and lighting provision.

Provision for uninterrupted power supplies is also important, as
an instant power failure can cause a substantial amount of damage
to IT systems.

Finally, you should make sure that it's established what exactly
will be provided bythe landlord ahead of your fit-out.  If the
space hasn't been provided to the MSDF (Minimum Standard Developers
Finish) then you should receive an allowance for floorboxes,
lighting and carpets.

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