10 Lessons Learned After Our Office Space Redesign

6. Get Office Redesign Quotes

   Even if you’re doing the work yourself, having professionals itemize the work will be insightful. This may start with an interior designer, a painter or movers. If you’re doing construction, you’ll need to involve a general contractor. You’ll quickly see your initial budget and timeline tested.

7. Invest in a Layout Plan

   Unless you have training in interior design, it can be tough to see what your space has to offer. You may be able to find junior designers with affordable rates who want to build up their portfolios. Also, some designers may give you an additional option that takes into consideration a growing team. “Once we complete an office space, we try to leave our clients with a second option floor plan that maps out designated areas to add more work stations when they meet space capacity,” says Santos.

    

   

8. Decide How Much You Want to ‘DIY’

   You may want to try to handle some of the office refresh yourself. Or you may be considering outside help from contractors. Whatever the case, start planning for the following: contractors’ availability (will you have to close the office and have everyone work from home during the week?), when goods will arrive (furniture ordered online can take anywhere from three days to three months), and the order in which events need to happen.

9. Expect Chaos Before Completion

   Even if you’re just replacing a few pieces of furniture, there is a little chaos with change. Be sure your team has heads up, so you can schedule meetings outside the office if needed. During our office redesign, some of us were working in chairs with or without makeshift desks on our laps or filing cabinets. The excitement of the changes to come made it all fun. We even held a conference call while some very courteous movers quietly took out old desks.
    
   

   

10. Take Time to Enjoy the New Space

    With Everyone Sometimes, more can mean less. Remember, if you can’t increase the square footage, it may be cheaper to invest in making each square footage better. You may surprise yourself and your team with a higher return on investment.

This article has been edited and condensed.

Mary Ray is the co-founder & COO of MyHealthTeams, which owns and operates social networks for chronic condition communities. She is always on the lookout for A-players. She drives the product vision and product development of all the MyHealthTeams’ web and mobile applications, oversees marketing, UX, design. Connect with @marycray on Twitter.

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