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FAQs
Do you know our sector?
Can you do health and safety?
Can you do office security?
Can you do office furniture?
Can you do office ergonomics?
What happens if you find asbestos?
Do you mind if we do not need a new building?
How involved will we be?
Are you flexible?
Are you more expensive?
Will you show a breakdown of your prices?
Are you local?
How can you be experts in both design and construction?
What makes an office 'sustainable'?
We don't own the whole building, we're just on one floor. Can we still go sustainable?
Won't a sustainable office interior cost a lot more to build?
Will going sustainable really make any difference to the planet?
It may be good for the planet. But will it be good for business?
What are these 'enhanced capital allowances' you keep talking about?
What's all this about BREEAM and LEED?
How stylish can a sustainable office be? Isn't it all a bit 'worthy'?
Sustainable materials seem so much pricier. How can a sustainable office be anywhere near the same cost?
What do you mean, when you say organic, non-volatile compounds?
As part of the public sector, our guidelines are very rigorous. Can you work with them?
Do you know our sector?
Yes. Since 1977 we have worked with companies from all different industry sectors, including financial services, retail, consumer electronics, media, public sector, manufacturing, property, construction, accountancy, legal, consulting, call centres, IT and telecoms. And we know them all pretty well. If your business belongs to a sector that we haven't worked with before, we'll make it a priority to get to know it. Can you do health and safety?
Yes. We have the knowledge to advise you on all the latest health and safety regulations and we'll design and fit out your office to comply with them, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for everyone who steps foot in your office.
Can you do office security?
Yes. We know security systems, from basic budget to state of the art, and we'll fit your office with whichever best suits your needs after in-depth consultation with you.
Can you do office furniture?
Yes. We'll source, supply and install the best furniture to fit your office interior. As an independent company we're not tied to any one manufacturer so we can pick and choose the most suitable pieces for your business. And, while we select from multiple suppliers, you can enjoy the ease and convenience of one single point of contact to coordinate delivery and installation - us.
Can you do office ergonomics?
Yes, we can help you to avoid problems of the modern workplace, such as back pain and eye strain, by improving your office ergonomics. We have the knowledge and expertise to provide equipment, furniture and computer accessories that comply with the very latest health and safety regulations and recommendations. We can also advise you on health and safety risk assessments, employer obligations, training and more.
What happens if you find asbestos?
By law, all buildings must have an asbestos register, so we should know if asbestos is present before we start work. If we come across any substance that's not listed and might be asbestos, we'll take samples to send for testing. If tested positive as asbestos, we will safely and legally remove it and dispose of it.
Do you mind if we do not need a new building?
Not at all. Our priority lies with you finding the right office interior solution for your business needs. If that means you'll be better off staying where you are because there's room to expand or scope to refurbish, we'll recommend you do that. We'll only advise you to relocate if, having looked at all the options, the move will prove to be more space and cost effective in the long term, showing you maximum return on investment.
How involved will we be?
Before we do a thing, we will provide a comprehensive consultation and appraisal of your workspace, discussing with you your project aims and business objectives, and agreeing with you your timings and budget. Once we get started on your office fitting, you can be as involved as you wish. It can be very little. It can be very often. It's your choice. The point is that you're free to get on with business while we manage everything else.
Are you flexible?
It's your workspace, your business. We'll design and build the office interior that's right for you, and we'll think laterally and flexibly to achieve this. During construction, we'll work around you too - literally. We'll work to ensure minimal disruption to your business, so you can continue as normal, occupying your workspace throughout.
Are you more expensive?
No. In fact, research by the Chartered Institute of Building has found the Morgan Lovell approach to design and build to be typically 40% faster and 15% cheaper than that of our competitors. Our pricing and timing are guaranteed. We'll provide cost security for your project and give you regular expense reports along the way, so you'll know exactly what costs are involved from start to finish.
Will you show a breakdown of your prices?
Yes. We'll show you a breakdown of each element we supply, for example:
- Plasterboard partitioning 20lm @ £85 pr lm = £ total
- Glass partitioning 10lm @ £380 pr lm = £ total
Are you local?
Yes. We have offices in London, Birmingham and Wokingham and we constantly carry out works throughout the UK.
How can you be experts in both design and construction?
Our in-house teams of designers and construction experts are each dedicated to their own specialist craft. We hire the best people in the business and, when external specialists are required, we make sure they're in the same professional league.
Common questions and answers on sustainability
What makes an office 'sustainable'?Various things. It should be designed to use less energy, through energy-efficient equipment and the use of natural light and ventilation. It's also an office that's been built with recyclable materials, and organic non-volatile paints, wirings and materials. Check out our sustainable office checklist, to see what else makes an office sustainable.
We don't own the whole building, we're just on one floor. Can we still go sustainable?
Absolutely. It might limit you a bit, but there's a lot you can do, even if you're just one tenant sharing a building with neighbours. In fact, liasing with your other landlords and tenants is all part of our service.
Won't a sustainable office interior cost a lot more to build?
Not if you build it into the design, right from the start. That's our secret. Because we do everything, from start to finish, we can be a lot more cost-effective. Also, we know about things like enhanced capital allowances, and we use our purchasing power to get higher-spec for lower cost. In the long run, it'll actually save you money - your energy bills will be lower, and your productivity should go up.
Will going sustainable really make any difference to the planet?
According to the Department of Trade and Industry, 50% of the UK's carbon emissions comes from the non-renewable energy used to run and power our buildings. Business has a big part to play. Going sustainable is something you can do to show the strength of your commitment.
It may be good for the planet. But will it be good for business?
It'll make a huge difference - to your staff, to your clients, to your stakeholders and to the planet. People want to work with, and work for, companies that care about doing business responsibly. It's not a fad. Climate change is on everyone's agenda. (And up to a quarter off your yearly energy bills will certainly make a difference).
What are these 'enhanced capital allowances' you keep talking about?
Put simply, the Government wants to encourage everyone to combat climate change, and you can get money back from them if you choose the right kind of energy efficient, environmentally sound items for your office. On paper, it's complicated. But in practice, we'll make it simple for you to make the best choices.
What's all this about BREEAM and LEED?
Basically, they're ways of assessing and rating how 'green' a building is. How energy efficient is it? How many volatile chemicals are there in the paints and wiring? Because we have BREEAM trained assessors and LEED trained designers on staff, we can make sure from the outset that your new office will get you the best possible rating. (Then you can boast about BREEAM and LEED on your website, too.)
How stylish can a sustainable office be. Isn't it all a bit 'worthy'?
Actually, most people prefer sustainable offices - even if they don't know it. Lots of natural light? Wood floors with lots of character? Floor-to-ceiling glass windows? You can have all that, and be sustainable. They don't just look nicer, they make you feel better. Don't underestimate the effect of sitting under harsh artificial lights and air-conditioning all day on your health.
Sustainable materials seem so much pricier. How can a sustainable office be anywhere near the same cost?
Sustainability can get expensive, if you do it in an ad-hoc way. The trick is to build it right into the design from the start. Our purchasing power helps, too. We can get you higher spec materials for much lower cost. And our 'design and build' approach ('we do it all', instead of dealing with loads of different contractors) is also faster and cheaper. We don't compromise on quality, we find ways to improve on efficiency.
What do you mean, when you say organic, non-volatile compounds?
Years and years ago, lead paint was all the rage. Then we realised it wasn't exactly good for our wellbeing - a volatile chemical compound, in other words. Well, there are all sorts of other volatile chemicals compounds that exist in paints, wirings and materials. That includes things which damage the Earth, even if they don't damage us. Organic, non-volatile compounds are just healthier, friendlier alternatives.
As part of the public sector, our guidelines are very rigorous. Can you work with them?
We know them. We've done lots of work with the public sector. We understand the complexities of balancing value for money and the needs of the public. We have our own compliance experts in-house - not just on environmental matters, but on Health and Safety, and the Disability Discrimination Act, too.