Checklist

What services are included?

What do they include?

Make a list of everything your contractor will provide as part of their service and those things that it won't. Comparing companies on this basis will determine true value for money. Many companies will quote a lower price in full knowledge that you will need additional services later on.

It's also good to understand exactly which services they will complete in-house, which they will outsource and which ones you'll need to source and manage your own contractors for. There's a lot to be said for a one-stop-shop!

These are common services that an office fit out partner should offer as standard:

Consultancy

  • Workplace appraisal

    To work out how much space you need

  • Accommodation summary

    To see if your staff can fit well into the new space

  • Management interviews

    To determine individual departmental needs

  • Electronic surveys to gather staff input

    Because your office should be built around your staff

  • Building appraisal

    To see if your site is really suitable

  • Detailed cost estimates

    So you can create an accurate budget

  • Technical appraisal of buildings, reviewing the:

    • Air conditioning
    • Heating and ventilation
    • Telecoms
    • IT
    • Plumbing
    • Electricity

The office design

  • In-house design team

    Not subcontracted

  • Interior designers

  • Space planning

    To determine the exact layout

  • Concept drawings

    So you can get the overall feel and flavour

  • 3D visualisations

    So you can see exactly what you'll get

  • Test fit drawings

    To make sure you'll fit in your new space

  • Selecting finishes and fittings

  • Working drawings

    For construction

  • Furniture

    True independent procurement and advice

Project management

  • Project co-ordinator to manage design and estimating process

  • Detailed cost estimates

  • Detailed programme

  • Dedicated site manager, single point of contact / responsibility

  • Day-to-day co-ordination of your project

  • Weekly update meetings

  • Extranet

    A secure online space to share project information

  • Liaising with landlords

  • Arranging planning permission

  • Managing change control procedure

  • Regular reporting on cost, programme and quality

  • In-house mechanical & electrical experts

    To manage air conditioning and electrical installations

Office relocation and move management

  • Move management services

  • IT installation and relocation

  • Experience in moving and installing comms rooms

  • Furniture installation

  • Telecoms and technology installation

  • Testing & commissioning

  • Snag process

    • Do they guarantee no snags?

  • Move-in day

    • Do they guarantee on-time move-in?

Environmental compliance

  • An in-house environmental team

  • Do they comply with environmental regulations on site (evidence provided)?

  • Do they have environmental complaint logs on site (evidence provided)?

  • Will they register the site with the Environment Agency?

  • Do they keep copies of waste carrier's licences for all companies that remove waste from the site (evidence provided)?

  • Do they provide the proper waste transfer documentation for all site waste (evidence provided)?

  • Do they offer CarbonNeutral® fit out and construction?

  1. CarbonNeutral® is a scheme that allows you to invest in environmental projects (like planting sustainable forests, or developing greener energy) to offset the carbon dioxide your business generates.

Evaluating their credentials

Assessing their financial stability and your risk