How Long Does An Office Fit Out Take?

Office fit-outs in Nottingham are a great way of breathing new life into existing commercial structures. From replastering and central heating installation right through to painting the walls a different colour and hanging a few pictures, an office fit-out in Nottingham will give your workplace a brand new lease of life. But how long will you have to wait before you get to experience a modern office space for yourself and your employees to work in? Let’s take a closer look:

What is an office fit-out?

An office fit-out is the process carried out and executed to make a commercial space function seamlessly, as a comfortable and modern office space. It can be done to a small degree or to a large scale, completely starting again when it comes to your office layout and structure. Usually, an office fit-out in Nottingham is categorised into two different levels: A and B. Here’s what category ‘A’ and category ‘B’ office fit-outs in Nottingham entail:

Category ‘A’ fit out

Category ‘A’ office fit-outs have a main focus on taking an existing structure and making it usable on a more basic level. This can include anything from laying a floor to plastering the walls. The services involved with a category ‘A’ office fit out are as follows: strengthening the core structure (such as walls, floors, ceilings and utilities), shell and core (such as external walls, windows and entrances), basic services (such as lighting, air conditioning, heating, ventilation, fire detection and fire prevention) and basic finishes (such as flooring, ceilings, wall paint and more)

Category ‘B’ fit out

Category ‘B’ office fit-outs have more of a focus on customising a specific space in order to meet the requirements, preferences and expectations of the occupant. It can include a wealth of different factors, including: interior design, fit-out works, furniture installation, adding and/or replacing fixtures and fittings, integrating technology, cosmetic works and decoration.

How long does an office fit-out take?

The amount of time it takes for an office fit-out to be completed can vary greatly. It often depends on the size of your premises and the complexity of the project you have at hand. While the professionals here at FIT Interiors will make short work of office fit-outs in Nottingham and the surrounding areas work tirelessly around the clock to deliver expert, quality office fit-outs, it can still take a little while to complete the process, from start to finish.

This is especially the case if you’re looking for sterling results. However, while the office fit-out itself can vary in duration, there are many other factors involved, more so if you’re moving premises or commercial properties. We’ve left a brief office fit-out timeline below, from the beginning of the process to the end, should you be relocating offices. This will help to give you more of an idea of timings, so you can plan your office fit-out accordingly:

Appointing an office fit out company (2 weeks)

This can take around two weeks, including the research you do to make sure that you’re choosing the right firm to carry out an office fit-out in Nottingham. FIT Interiors has a wealth of experience, knowledge and expertise to draw upon, delivering exceptional office fit-out services in Nottingham that can always be relied upon.

Lease negotiations (8-12 weeks)

If you’re relocating to a completely new premises, rather than stripping out an existing commercial property in preparation for an office fit out in Nottingham, then you’ll need to make sure you’re leaving enough time to negotiate leases with excellent precision and detail, allowing you to carry out your operations with absolute peace of mind and security. 

Design development (4-8 weeks)

Here at FIT Interiors, we have a team of designers who can plan and design your office fit-out in Nottingham with expert skill and precision. While this will still take a few weeks to complete, it does save time when compared to a business owner doing it themselves. This is because our office designers are highly trained and experienced in the field, delivering impressive results every single time.

Furniture review (3-7 weeks)

Depending on the size of your premises and the amount of furniture you have, it could take several weeks to make a decision on the pieces of furniture to keep and the furniture you should probably get rid of. Much of your decision will be based on the size of your new premises or commercial property, together with how much space you’ll have leftover after implementing a new kitchen or breakout space as part of your office fit-out in Nottingham.

Place furniture order (1-2 weeks)

Just like when you order anything online, whether it be some new computers for your employees or a new stack of sticky notes for the stationery cupboard, it can take a while for items to be delivered to your commercial premises. The same goes for new office furniture, if you need it as part of your office fit-out in Nottingham from FIT Interiors. However, if you choose us to carry out your office fit-out in Nottingham, you’ll have a choice of brand-new, high-quality office furniture that will stand the test of time.

Construction (6-14 weeks)

The construction involved in an office fit-out can take a few weeks, depending on the size and the complexity of the operation. It can take as little as six weeks with the most simple additions, such as basic kitchens, breakout areas and office partitioning. However, it can take around fourteen weeks if you want the following things:

  • Brand new floors
  • Suspended ceilings
  • Hidden cables and pipes
  • Fixed shelving units
  • Toilets
  • Sinks
  • Kitchens with all of the mod cons
  • Breakout spaces
  • Lounge areas
  • Work stations
  • Conference rooms

You should discuss your needs, budget and timescale with a member of our team here at FIT Interiors if you’re looking for office fit-out services in Nottingham. This way, your office fit-out will be more tailored to you and your requirements, allowing you to get the most out of your brand-new office space.

Furniture installation (1 week)

Office furniture needs to be installed, and a layout needs to be agreed upon in order for the office space to work as seamlessly and as smoothly as it needs to. This includes working out where your kitchen area or breakout area is going to be, knowing where the desks will sit, working out where your office partitioning is going to be used as conference space, and so on. This time can include the planning of your furniture layout as well as the time it takes to install the furniture, along with any fixtures and fittings that might be needed along the way.

Relocation (1 week)

The amount of time it takes for you to completely relocate premises will vary depending on where you’re moving to. If it’s a few minutes down the road, then this might take less time. However, if it’s a few hours away, then it could take longer than a week to complete the move. 

Either way, there’s a fair amount that’s involved with an office relocation, including the moving and handling of goods, loading and unloading vans and lorries and setting up a new office with furniture. No matter what, allow at least a week to relocate to your new office that has undergone an office fit-out in Nottingham.

Moving in day

It’s finally time to move into your new office and enjoy your brand-new workplace. You’ll soon be reaping the benefits of having a brand new, modern space for yourself and your employees to work in. Watch as your productivity levels soar and morale boosts across the workforce, therefore making for fast and efficient outputs when you need it most. All of this is made possible with office fit-out services in Nottingham from FIT Interiors.

Here at FIT Interiors, we have a wide range of different services available for clients who are looking for specialist office services, including relocation, office fit-outs, office renovations, office bathroom installation, office breakout installations and more. If you would like further information about how we can help you with office fit-outs in Nottingham and beyond, then get in touch with a member of our friendly, knowledgeable team today – we’re always pleased to hear from you.