Commercial Fit Out Sydney: How Do You Begin?

Every commercial workplace or office requires a fit out before tenants can begin to use the space. A fit out involves building a functioning workplace, including essential elements such as workstations, meeting rooms, bathrooms, kitchens and data rooms. Without these components, it’s virtually impossible to start using the office space.

There’s plenty to think about when it comes to building or renovating your Sydney office space. But one of the most common questions we get at Niche Projects, is how do you even begin a commercial fit out?

When do you need a commercial fit out?

The first step is deciding the right time to commence with a commercial fit out. Some businesses choose poorly, and it can impact their business. A fit out isn’t something to rush into, so it’s really important to get the timing right.

A brand new office space

If you’re moving into a brand new commercial space, chances are you’ll need a fresh commercial fit out. Many existing office buildings and retail spaces do have existing fit outs, but this is something that should be determined before you sign the lease. Before signing any documents, you should be entirely aware of the existing condition of the space.

A brand new commercial space offers a wonderful blank canvas and for that reason, this is the preference of many businesses. It’s a chance to design and craft your very own, brand new workplace, ensuring that everything is catering to your organisation and your people. This is where a fresh commercial fit out is ideal.

Refurbishing and renovating

A number of businesses elect to refurbish or renovate their workplace after some time. Perhaps the existing fit out is looking a little tired, or bits and pieces are starting to age. It might even be that you’ve moved into a commercial space that came with an existing office fit out, which needs to be updated.

Refurbishing your workplace is an excellent way to freshen up your working environment, create a more productive office and contribute to a happier workforce. All of these outcomes are wonderful for businesses of all sizes, and need to be taken into account when deciding whether or not to commence with a commercial fit out.

Creating more space or downsizing

Yet another reason for a fresh commercial fit out is to either create more working space, or alter your existing fit out to offer more options for a smaller workforce. Business change in size regularly, and it’s important to adjust to these changes. If you don’t, your employees could be impacted, and overall productivity can fall.

At Niche Projects, we’ve worked with plenty of businesses who want to alter their workspace to optimise for a range of different working types. The buzz of activity-based working and agile working means employees want more options. And the research shows that giving these kinds of options can help boost productivity exponentially.

What are the first steps to a commercial fit out?

So, if your business has decided it’s definitely the right time for a fresh commercial fit out, you need to be aware of the first few steps of the process. We’ll take a closer look at those below.

Finding a great office fit out company

The very first step in the process is to find a well-regarded design and fit out company to work with. It’s important to do your research, speak to a few different firms, and seek recommendations. Your fit out company should be at the forefront of the industry, with an intimate understanding of functional design.

Reviews are a great way to guage whether the company has a good track record. On top of that, you should be able to see case studies and reports of previous builds, to get a good idea of their capabilities. Discussing cost is essential, and it’s advisable to seek a few different quotes so that you don’t pay too much… or too little.

Understanding your needs

Once you’ve locked in a contract with a design and fit out company, you can discuss your needs with them. You’ll probably already have thought about this to some extent. Presenting any existing ideas and thoughts to your design team is always helpful. This will then prompt an in-depth discussion about what your organisation requires from a commercial fit out.

Designing your workplace depends on this discussion and locking down these details. Without this crucial information, your new workplace might not be doing what it is intended to do. That can impact business practices, productivity, and much more. It’s essential that you do not rush through this process, and draw on as many resources and people from within your business to get the most accurate information.

Designing your workspace

After you’ve established and confirmed all of your requirements with your design company, the design process will begin. Here, you’ll discuss all the physical elements of your new office, including layout, floor finishes, furniture, partitions, temperature control, lighting, and so much more. Here, your designer should be working closely with you, showing your drawings and renders to keep you in the loop at all times. You should ensure that you’re delivering plenty of input into the process at all times.

Once the design process has been completed, and schedules and budgets have been drawn up, you’ll be ready for your commercial fit out to begin.

What trades are required for an office fit out?

A quality commercial fit out requires the involvement of a number of trades.

Plumbers

Most commercial fit outs will involve wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens. Installing plumbing and fixtures will require qualified and licensed plumbers. At Niche Projects, our in-house plumbers are some of the best in the business, and highly experienced when it comes to commercial plumbing.

Electricians

Electricians are essential for any construction project, particularly in an office fit out. Every commercial business runs on power, and electricians are essential when it comes to installing lighting, running data cables, setting up server rooms, and much more. Without qualified electricians, your new office won’t be able to function properly.

Carpenters

Qualified and experienced carpenters are often the backbone of a commercial renovation or fit out project. They are essential for installing workstations, joinery, constructing stand-alone rooms, and much more. Our in-house carpenters are the best in the business, always delivering the highest quality work.

At Niche Projects, we have high-quality in-house trades, and we’re always looking for our next project.

Expert Sydney commercial fit-outs, today

If you’re looking for a commercial fit out in Sydney, we’re here to help. We’ve worked with a diverse range of businesses, to design and build exceptional workplaces. We strive to remain well ahead of the competition, and our knowledge of office design and fit outs is second to none.
Get in touch with Niche Projects today. We’d love to hear from you.