Across the UK, organisations are rethinking their workspace. Rather than locating, many are choosing to upgrade their existing office to support evolving work patterns and long-term growth. In the latest learning resource from Zentura, we explore everything you need to know about office refurbishment, helping you make an informed decision before your next big step.
The significant increase in office refurb projects is clear to see. Deloitte’s London Office Crane Survey (Summer 2024 Edition) was the eighth consecutive survey where office refurbishments outstripped new build projects. It’s not just a passing trend: Deloitte expects this shift to continue over the coming decade and beyond. But is it really the right call for your business?
Office Refurbishment: A Guide for Decision-Makers
Before we get into the details, let’s look at the bigger picture when it comes to office refurbishment. It’s a term used widely in the industry - but what does it actually mean?
At its core, office refurbishment involves upgrading or transforming an existing workspace to improve functionality, aesthetics and overall efficiency. It can range from minor aesthetic upgrades - like new finishes or modern furniture - to a complete overhaul involving structural changes, new layouts and advanced technology integration.
If you’re doing some research on the topic, you may find terms like office renovation, office revamp, and workspace makeover are often used interchangeably. However, each carries a slightly different meaning:
Office renovation typically refers to restoring a space, focusing on aesthetics and minor upgrades.
Office remodelling involves reconfiguring layouts or altering workspace functions.
Workspace makeover combines cosmetic and functional enhancements.
Regardless of terminology, the goal remains the same: to create an environment that supports business growth, enhances employee satisfaction and maximises efficiency.
Why Consider an Office Refurbishment?
If you’re considering an office refurbishment, you’re not alone. While many are considering refurbs in response to MEES regulations and the hybrid working revolution, other key drivers include:
Improving productivity & well-being: Thoughtful workspace enhancement - like improved lighting, better acoustics, and ergonomic furniture - can significantly boost employee performance and satisfaction.
Maximising space efficiency: As teams grow, space constraints are common. An office refurbishment can help reconfigure layouts for maximum impact
Strengthening your brand identity: Your office speaks volumes about your company. A corporate office upgrade ensures your workspace mirrors your brand’s values, culture and professionalism.
Where to Start with an Office Refurb
With many stakeholders to consider, along with budgetary limitations, competing vendors and more, an office refurb can seem like a daunting task. However, breaking it down into key steps can make the process more manageable.
Define Your Objectives
Before making any decisions, you should define your objectives and what you want to achieve. Are you looking to increase capacity? Do you want your space to better facilitate collaboration? Or, do you simply want to modernise an outdated space?
Beyond these key questions, it also helps to consider short-term needs, as well as your growth ambitions in the long-term. By taking these questions into account, you can future-proof your office transformation.
Conduct a Workplace Assessment
Informed decisions are based on data-driven insights. Your approach to an office refurbishment project is no different.
To start, you should consult with all stakeholders, gathering their feedback and assessing how your current space supports or hinders your operations.
Secondly, you should assess how your workspace functions day-to-day. Go beyond those simple questions of what works and what doesn’t, considering factors like operational costs, office attendance patterns and functional inefficiencies.
Set a Realistic Budget
When considering the overall price of your project, many costs beyond construction are often overlooked. Think about those other major costs: new furniture, IT upgrades - the list goes on. If temporary relocation is required for the duration of your refurbishment, you should also add this to your project costs.
Many businesses struggle to navigate multiple quotes and contractors. This is why we recommend working with a partner experienced in office refit services, ensuring you develop an accurate budget early on.
Choose the Right Partner
Managing an office refurbishment in-house can be complex. For many of the companies we work with, it can be difficult to find companies with expertise in both interior design and construction, for example.
That’s why opting for a partner who offers a holistic approach can be the key to meeting this challenge. Our own approach brings multiple disciplines under one roof, with a single point of contact guiding you from concept to completion. While this can help you save costs, it can also help you focus on those pressing day-to-day tasks with minimal disruption.
The Office Refurb Process: What to Expect
While every workplace refurbishment project is unique, a structured process is essential:
Consultation & discovery: This phase is all about understanding your business. A good consultancy partner will take time to learn about your culture, workflows and aspirations. This ensures your project aligns with your goals, not just your desired aesthetics.
Workspace design & planning: Once your objectives are clear, the workspace redesign process begins. This typically includes spatial planning and layout design, mood boards and material selection, as well as photorealistic visualisations to bring these concepts to life.
Detailed specifications & costing: At this stage, your vision becomes tangible. Detailed drawings, technical specifications and a clear costing plan are developed to guide the build.
The refurb phase: This is the transformation phase, where plans come to life. The scope can include structural modifications (if needed), mechanical and electrical upgrades, as well as the installation of partitions, flooring and ceilings. It can also include the integration of new IT infrastructure and AV equipment, along with final decor, furnishings and styling.
Handover & aftercare: Once the project is complete, it’s time for the final walkthrough. Snag lists are addressed, and any necessary adjustments are made. Providers like Zentura also offer ongoing post-project support to help maintain your new space over time.
Zentura: The Holistic Approach You Need
When managing an office refurbishment, juggling multiple contractors can lead to delays, miscommunication and rising costs. That’s why working with a holistic partner like Zentura makes all the difference. We handle every stage - from concept design to fit-out and post-project support - ensuring seamless coordination, consistent quality and cost efficiency.
Our integrated approach means one point of contact, one unified vision and a team that understands your business goals inside out. We don’t just focus on aesthetics; we address functionality, compliance, sustainability and technology, creating a workspace that’s tailored to your needs.
With Zentura, you gain more than a service provider. You gain a strategic partner dedicated to delivering a commercial office refurbishment that enhances productivity, supports growth and maximises your investment.
Ready for a Refurb? Let’s Talk
Zentura has partnered with organisations across the UK, helping them reach their next milestone through expert office refurbishment. Now, we’re inviting you to benefit from that same expertise. To get started, request a quote or contact us to book a free Discovery Call.
