Moving to a new office is a major milestone for any company. Aside from marking a fresh start, this milestone also opens an opportunity for you to reexamine the arrangement, design, functionality, and overall feel of your work space.
To achieve this without any unnecessary delay, you may need to look for an expert in office design and fit out to help you create your dream office setup.
To know who exactly you are looking for, it is best to understand what a fit out specialist does along with other things that should be considered before signing a contract.
Who Is a Fit Out Specialist?
Fit out experts are people who specialize in creating interior spaces, such as office setups, into viable places to suit the occupants’ purpose.
Basically, fitting out a place means preparing it for occupation. While many companies in the industry focus on offices, restaurants and other commercial spaces, some also do condominiums and other places of residence that are leased or rented out.
Interior Design Fit Out
5 Top Considerations When Hiring an Office Fit Out Expert
There are tons of fit out companies that may offer you different services at various rates. While this has its perks, it may also make choosing the perfect one quite difficult.
To help you out, here are the five most important things you need to consider before hiring a fit out specialist:
#1. Services Offered
Fit out services range from design to execution, so it is best to know which ones your top candidates can offer. If you have no design or specific plan for the office layout yet, it is best to go for firms that do scope planning, design, space layouts, and cost estimates. They should also be able to take on the responsibilities of filing for necessary permits, contacting suppliers, and fitting furniture into the space.
The design must be executed exactly according to the brief and budget. No detail should be changed, be it in the types of windows, doors and lighting or furniture and appliances without the client’s consent.
#2. Skills and Credentials
You should also have a thorough review of the skills and credentials of the candidates vying for the project. Go for people who are skilled and certified in CAD or 3D drafting, risk management, spatial assessment, and design consultation. Of course, you may also opt for an entire team of fit out experts.
#3. Related Experience
Past experience in a similar project is also a big advantage for a fit out specialist. This lifts the burden of researching about building codes and unfamiliar processes from your shoulders.
Also, having someone with related experience in the task reduces the chances of mistakes, especially if they already had plenty of practice in the job.
#4. Previous Client Feedback
A customer review is a very important factor as it would reflect the fit out specialist’s actual output. Ask for references from the firm or do your own research. When you reach out to these people, seek honest feedback about whether the fit out specialist:
- Was able to finish the job according to the brief while staying within the budget and deadlines;
- Was effective in managing the project, especially when it comes to communicating with the client;
- Is resourceful and creative in providing solutions that are the most ideal and practical for the client, and
- Has provided high-quality work and paid keen attention to detail.
Lastly, you should inquire whether the person or company would want to work with them again or not.
#5. Safety and Insurance
When dealing with construction-related services, it is important to have necessary insurances and safety measures in place if you don’t want to get caught up in problems that could have been avoided in the future.
Know if the specialists you want to hire have health and safety measures planned, especially if employees are working while they are fitting out the place. They should also have liability insurance that will cover property damage and injury during the fitting out process.
A Final Thought
When hiring commercial interior fit out contractors, it is good to know the different factors that can make or break the project. This way, you are ensured that you finally get to see your office fitted out in the way you wanted without unexpected hiccups along the way.
AUTHOR BIO:
Shane Curran
CEO at Interact Group LLC
Interact Group is a design-led interior fit out company that aims to set new standards in the UAE interiors market. Driven by their dedication to total customer experience, the company’s mission is to bring truly specialized teams to complex design and fit out challenges, utilizing their unmatched ability to deliver spaces efficiently and above expectation.
