Checklist

Step 6

Drawing up the designs

  • Now it's time to take those indicative designs and produce a full layout

    • Desks, meeting rooms, kitchens, comms room, IT, air con and heating

  • Put together some mood boards - what look and feel are you going for?

  • Agree a colour scheme that reflects your brand and identity

  • Make sure your designs are compliant with all regulations

    • Particularly the DDA, and the Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1992

  • Arrange for 3D walkthroughs, if you can

    • It can be difficult to visualise the end result from a plan

  • Is it possible to build sustainability into the designs?

    • Will the office be energy-efficient?

Finding the right furniture

It's not just about cost. There are things like health and safety and ergonomics to think about.

  • Is your furniture practical, for everyday work?

  • Are your chairs ergonomic?

  • Is everything covered by warranty?

  • Is it made from sustainable materials?

  • What will it cost to deliver or assemble?

  • Do you have enough storage?

  • Are you getting good quality for your money?

    • The cheapest option isn't always the best. Quality will often pay for itself in the long run.

  • Would you be better off renting, rather than buying?

  • Will your furniture work well with all your computers and other kinds of equipment?

  • Does the style suit your identity?

IT, data and computers

What sort of systems are already in place? Will all your equipment work properly?

  • What else will you need?

    • Power points - how many and where?
    • Floor boxes / data points - how many and where?
    • Printers and faxes
    • Comms room / cabinets
    • Cabling
    • Backup generator
    • Servers
    • Service and support
    • IT management and coordination - who'll make sure it all works?

Telephones and internet

  • Order your telephone connections from your telephony supplier as soon as possible

  • Assess your current set-up (the pros and cons)

  • Shop around for telephone providers and packages

  • How many phone lines do you need?

  • Could an internet-based system (VOIP) be better?

  • Can you keep your current phone numbers?

  • Do you need voicemail, or a call answering service?

  • What is the mobile reception like in your new space? Do you need WiFi voice calling enabled?

  • Don't forget the basics - do you have enough handsets?

Health & safety

Health and safety are of paramount importance because you are responsible, even if you hire contractors. Make sure you work with companies with excellent health and safety credentials and processes.

  • Ask your appointed fit out contractor to provide you with health and safety assistance

  • Get someone to check out any health and safety file that may exist for your chosen building, and make sure it's up to date

  • Consider what arrangements you'd like contractors coming into your new premises to comply with:

    • Parking
    • Access
    • Use of welfare


Try to hire a contractor with an in-house health, safety and wellbeing team. Some outsource this function, which puts health and safety 'on the clock' and can impact the safety and wellbeing of those working on your project.

Relocation tip

Step 7

Step 5