While it’s important to invest in quality where you need to, these five tips can help you trim costs on your office fitout when budget is tight:
1. To save money stick to a budget and deadline
While it may sound obvious, the first step is to allocate a realistic budget. Simply saying ‘as cheap as possible’ won’t work. You need an anchor point to work back from to define what is possible in terms of design, construction, fitout and timeframe.
Although every office fitout is unique, if you want to get a rough idea of how much it will cost, checkout Vestra’s quick guide to office fit out costs in Sydney.
With vast experience fitting out Sydney CBD and North Sydney office spaces, Vestra specialises in working to budgets and deadlines, as shown on the Uniland Real Estate fit out project in Sydney.
‘We are very impressed with the work that was done – from the planning stage to the project completion they showed professionalism, punctuality, honesty and reliability all the way. They understood our needs and showed attention to detail, and most importantly they stayed within the approved budget.’
Andy Lin, General Manager, Uniland.
Having an agreed budget and timeline is the key to giving you peace of mind and certainty when it comes to how to save money on an office fitout.
2. Repurpose existing furniture and fittings
Whether you are relocating or refurbishing offices, one way to save money is to look at the furniture, equipment and fittings that you already own to see if any can be reused.
Could you make use of any furniture or workstations in your new fitout, or could any fittings or materials be sold or recycled? Are you able to negotiate your make good and pass on your existing fitout to the new tenants? Is another business clearing out their office space and can pass things on to you?
If you have the time to invest, recycled furniture materials and furniture can create a unique and stylish aesthetic. As well as saving money, recycling is also better for the environment.
3. Create your design ahead of time
Changing your mind half-way through a project can be very costly. While it’s relatively simple to change sketches and digital plans, having builders move walls or redo finishes is a very expensive exercise.
Using a mood board can be a great way to make sure your office fitout reflects your business vision before committing to the build. A good office fitout company can help you carefully plan and design an office layout that meets your business needs (both now and into the future) and makes the most of your available space.
If you are on a tight budget, they can also suggest design ideas that can be less expensive such as exposed ceilings or open plan. Privacy screens and mobile partitions are cheaper to construct than building walls and can be moved around as required.
At Vestra, we understand that small businesses need to be strict with their finances which is why our fitout process involves a discussion of what office features are the most important to you. This helps us to prioritise and ensure we create a space that suits your needs and your budget.
4. Energy efficient and sustainable design
Creating a lean, green and sustainable office design is not only good for the planet, it can help your business save money, attract talent and enhance your brand. It’s easier than you may think.
How to save money on your office fit out with green choices:
- Use energy saving light bulbs
- Install sensor lights that turn off when a room is not in use
- Turn off computers and other electronic equipment at the powerpoint over long breaks
- Choose electrical appliances with energy efficient features, for example power saving mode
- Make use of natural light where possible
At Vestra, we take care to consider the environmental impact of our projects and use energy efficient lighting and insulation to reduce energy usage.
Related: Going green: 5 ways to create an environmentally sustainable office
5. Hire a professional
One way some businesses try to save money is to manage the entire fitout process themselves. While this saves some upfront management fees, too often it can end up being a false economy over the whole project.
Tapping into the expertise of a professional fitout company who can manage the whole process for you will not only reduce the stress, but you can use their experience to avoid making any costly mistakes. And with their long-standing relationships with other contractors, they can give you professional recommendations and you can save money on supplies and services, too.
An experienced office fitout company can also help you build your unique brand image, make efficient use of floor space and create an office space that meets the unique needs of your business. They can also use their project management expertise to ensure your fitout project is completed on time and show you how to save money on your office fitout.
How much will your office fit out cost?
If you’d like an initial discussion about how to save money on your office fitout or relocation, we’d be happy to discuss your options for making cost-effective improvements to your workspace that match your budget.
Related: Vestra’s guide to office fit out costs in Sydney
Being a close knit team with family ownership, we’re committed to using a hands-on and personal approach with all our projects, and we selectively partner with suppliers and trades who are also committed to delivering high quality work and personal service.
If you would like to find out more about our office fitout process, contact us today and we’d love to arrange a no-obligation consultation.
