Redesign, Renovate, Or Reconfigure: What's Right for Your Office in 2021?

 

Your office space must be safe and clean to support employee productivity. If your business premises currently doesn’t meet  the present safety guidelines, it is time for you to make your office space adhere to the requirements for 2021. 

Like many office owners, you may also be confused between reconfiguration, renovation, and redesigning. While a lot of people use these terms interchangeably, they serve different purposes. And it is vital to know the differences between them to make the right decision. 

1.     Office Reconfiguration

If you need to only upgrade your existing space with furniture and flooring or repurposing the current furniture, office reconfiguration is a good idea. As you reconfigure your office, you can make it more spacious and improve productivity. Office reconfiguration requires minimal disruption and can be completed at a far lesser price than commercial renovation. However, this approach only allows you to make limited changes as compared to a full-blown renovation.

2.               Office Redesign

Office redesigning is a suitable choice for those who want to give their office space an uplift in terms of aesthetics. You can install new lighting schemes, add new furnishings, invest in stand-up desks, and repaint the walls. An appealing workspace tends to keep employees happy, thereby encouraging them to work harder. Moreover, you put forth a modern and professional image in front of your clients.

3.               Office Renovation

In the case of the above two options, the building structure remains the same. However, when you renovate the office, you make structural changes. You completely transform the interiors while the exteriors remain intact. Renovation is suggested when you want to transform your space as per your specifications.

Store renovation is a time-consuming construction project. Depending on the degree to which you want to make changes, you may have to shift or cease business operations until the project is complete. A Commercial Contractor can help you plan an efficient and cost-effective renovation, making it pay off in the long run. 

How to Take Your Retail Spaces to a Sustainable Level?

 

In today’s era, every brand must play a vital role in sustainable practices. It helps to get the preference of the public and specific target groups. Moreover, it helps to deepen customer relationships. 

When considering a store renovation project to accommodate sustainability, here are a few tips that can help you go green: 

1.     Choose Natural Elements

The interiors of your store are crucial. It is a good idea to have plants inside your store. They create a fresh and homely environment. Besides, they boost positive emotions and perceptions of the customer. 

2.               Use Natural Lighting

Not every room in your store requires bright lighting. The sources of natural lighting help to create a pleasant and enchanting vibe in your store. It can keep your employees energetic. Natural lighting also helps to save on a lot of energy costs. 

3.               Design Windows with Recyclable Material

They say eyes are the windows to the soul. Similarly, window displays reveal the essence of a store. When you use recyclable material to design your windows, you make a sustainable statement within your window display. A commercial contractor will be able to help you with creative ideas to go green and create attractive window displays. 

4.               Use Efficient Heating and Cooling Systems

You don’t need heating and cooling systems throughout the year. These systems consume a lot of energy. Alternatively, a programmable thermostat can help you maintain optimum temperature as per requirements. For instance, storage rooms have minimal traffic and don’t need the continuous effects of heating and cooling systems. Another essential thing to keep in mind is the maintenance of the air filter. If you think the air filter is dirty, change it as soon as possible. 

5.               Go Paperless

Wherever possible, choose email receipts. This eco-friendly technique releases the load on your customers’ wallets by getting rid of all the paper receipts and bills. 

Finally, remember to share your sustainability efforts. Discuss them on your website and spread the word via social media. Such communication is an effective marketing strategy and helps to gain customer confidence. 

 

7 Easy Ways to Make Your Business Stand Out From the Crowd

Did you know that store renovation can help give rise to fresh, new ideas and improve productivity levels? Moreover, when customers or clients visit, the office space you work in creates the first impression for your business. 

At Cornerstone, we help you with 7 interesting ways to make your business stand out from the crowd:

1.     Maximize Lighting

Poor lighting means reduced productivity. Therefore, as you renovate your office space, the commercial contractor must include a sufficient amount of fixtures at strategic locations to illuminate desks. 

2.               Install Larger Windows

Windows play an important role in bringing in sunlight and keeping the office space airier. A better view of the outdoors can uplift the employees’ mood. Moreover, if your window models have the latest insulation features, you will have to spend lesser on heating and cooling energy bills. 

3.               Upgrade the Flooring

The office flooring is a reflection of your company’s image. It increases or decreases the value of your business in the eyes of potential visitors and clients. The right choice of office flooring is one that is easy to clean and maintain, durable, and sleek enough to complement your office’s decor. 

4.               Add Colour

Adding colour lets you transform an inspiring office space into one that can impress. Bright colours can improve mood and productivity. 

5.               Reorganize Partitioning

Office partitioning is a great way to easily arrange and change the layout of your office. You can create space for new changes and add different sections or areas. 

6.               Eliminate the Cubicles

As you ditch the cubicles, you increase the opportunities for collaborative working. Consequently, employees are in a better position to interact with each other.

7.               Remove big desks

Big desks are useful but they take a lot of space, particularly in a small office. Replace these with smaller ones.

There are many ideas and ways in which you can complete commercialrenovation. Yet, the best ones are those that help to improve the appearance of your store and allow you to optimally use the available space. 

5 Reasons You Need A Dependable Commercial Renovation Contractor

Is this something I can do myself? Why should I hire a commercial renovation contractor? If these are a few questions that you are asking yourself, it is good that you are putting in time for research, before getting into something you may not have any experience with. Know why it is important to hire a commercial contractor.  Listed below are 5 reasons you need a dependable commercial renovation contractor.

Project Management Skills

Your contractor would have dealt with many projects and over time they would have acquired the knowledge needed to execute projects as flawlessly as possible. They would have mastered the skill of planning the project from start to the end. This planning will help you in understanding your project budget, timeline and you will have the oversight to catch potential problems early in the project.

Cost

People always feel hiring a commercial contractor would be expensive. Though they charge you a percent for their service’s they will save you a lot of money in many unexpected ways. As already mentioned you along with your contractor will arrive at a budget. Your contractor will make sure that the project is completed within the allocated budget. They will also collaborate and coordinate with the crew teams, like the designers, architects and vendors.

Time

Time management is the key. If you are still considering to shoulder your office renovation project yourself, you may end up doing multiple tasks with not enough time to do them. You also may not prioritize efficiently, leaving a lot still undone.

Risk Management

Every job involves risks. When you hire a contractor he/she will anticipate the obstacle and they’ll have a plan in place to deal with it. The money from the emergency fund will be used to solve these problems and they’ll make sure to cut down costs wherever possible.

Permits

Different steps of the project may include getting the right permits which must be adhered to. More than just the price of the permit, knowing the implications of the regulations will help to define the real cost of your renovation. Your contractors will know the local authorities and will be able to arrange for the right permits.

At Cornerstone, we never settle for less than what is expected from top quality professionals. We are always striving to go above and beyond what is asked.  Contact us now for your office renovation needs.

5 Things A Start-Up Must Have

Creating your own start-up is a great idea. In order to succeed, your start-up needs a strong foundation. We broke down the top 5 things you should consider and prepare before you jump into launching your start-up.

Customers

This should be the priority for every business. Struggling to find customers is an experience most entrepreneurs can relate to. And creating a system that consistently drives new sales is essential if you want your business to succeed.It’s hard to attract potential customers when no one knows you exist. You have to find a way to get in front of people who will actually care about your product.

 Sense of Timing

You should know what is the right time to launch your business. In the initial years, the idea of starting a business will demand a lot of preparation. You should be consistent throughout the process.

Product Or An Idea

The product you're creating, needs to directly answer the unmet needs or desires of your customers. It doesn’t have to be a physical product. Even your idea can cater to an untapped audience. For this you need to do a feasibility study or do a market research.

Flexibility

If there’s anything that’s consistently true about launching a start-up, it’s that very little will be consistent. When you put so much time, effort and faith into one business plan, built on one business model, it’s logical that you would have trouble accepting that maybe it needs to be modified, or worse yet, scrapped and rebuilt entirely.So, it is always important to be flexible.

Having An Office Space

This is a topic which is usually pushed back. But it is really important to have your own office space to work peacefully.

You can’t trust just any contractor to give you superior workmanship at the price you want. For customized projects large and small, you need someone you can trust. At Cornerstone, we have a team of professional and reliable commercial contractors who will sit on your side of the table to offer you end to end solutions. Contact us now.

5 Ways To Increase ROI Of Your Business

ROI isn't the same as profit from the sale of goods or services. It's the financial return you receive from spending money. As a small owner, increasing your return on investment depends greatly on your ability to manage finances and handle company assets. Listed below are 5 ways to increase the ROI of the business.

Focus on the Niche 

If you are involved in multiple businesses, try to focus on the main purpose of each one to help navigate through the many tasks you may have to go through. It is easy to lose focus when deluged with many tasks, and it helps to keep in mind the core activities for your business when taking decisions and multi-tasking by prioritizing.

Trimming Business Departments 

Choosing whether you need to eliminate or restructure a few departments will help the business in the long run. If you are in need of immediate funds, eliminating departments with poor performance records can allow you to devote more money to profitable departments and increase ROI. Investing time and money on the training employees can also increase their efficiency and it can increase the ROI significantly.

Work Effectively 

As you grow, your daily responsibilities will grow with you. It means focusing on the right products or channels to get to prospects. Try different approaches to get in front of your clients and customers. Investing your company's profits wisely can allow your business to increase growth and overall value even if revenue slows down.

Focus On The Internet

Social media presence is very important in today’s world for any business. Proper construction of your website and search engine optimization (SEO) can attract a lot of valid leads and it will encourage the customers to explore your website.

Renovation 

If your office hasn't been renovated in a long time, or if you are running out of space to run your business, then you may be in need of a renovation. Remodeling can boost the return on investment (ROI) of the business. 

If you have a plan for your office, need to improve your space management, or don't like the present look anymore, trust Cornerstone to handle the changes professionally. Get in touch with our renovation contractor now to increase the ROI of your business. 

7 Ways A Well Designed Office Keeps Employees Healthy

Ready for a change? Store and office renovations will not only attract more clients and customers but it will also have a positive effect on the health of the workers. Maintaining your health is important, and being that you probably spend the majority of your waking hours at work, it’s important to maintain a healthy office environment.

For many employers, healthcare costs represent the fastest-growing and second-largest operating expense after employee wages. Following the strategies given below can help businesses create employee-centric and healthy work environments that increases productivity, happiness, and retention.

Invest In A Standing Desk

A standing desk will get you out of the seat reducing the side effects that are associated with a sitting desk. But being on your feet all day can lead to a lot of problems as well, so plan for a convenient setup and use a chair when needed.

Add A Potted Plant To Your Desk

Smallest things will help to a greater extent. Bringing nature into your office can be a great way to inspire creativity and a feeling of wellness. Opt for green, leafy plants that may increase the air quality.

Stop Eating At Your Desk

Constructing a pantry is essential in an office. Sitting away from the desk for lunch will help in resetting your brain for afternoon productivity. It will also give a chance to interact with colleagues. 

Workout During Free Hours

Constructing a workout space in the office will be very rejuvenating. Even if you can't fit in a full workout over your lunch break, you can still do some simple stretches and strength moves right in your office. Keeping small workout props, like hand weights or resistance bands, within eyesight can encourage you to take exercise breaks throughout the day.

Adjust Your Lighting

Research says employees with windows in the workplace received 173 percent more white light exposure during work hours and slept an average of 46 minutes more per night than employees who did not have the natural light exposure in the workplace. There also was a trend for workers in offices with windows to have more physical activity than those without windows.

Paint Your Walls Green

Green is a mix of blue and yellow – so it combines the cheerfulness of yellow with the calming effects of blue. Green is so heavily associated with nature, it is often described as a refreshing and tranquil colour and it is believed to help relieve stress.

At Cornerstone, we sit on your side of the table to offer you end to end solutions. Contact our commercialcontractors in GTA now to design an office that keeps employees healthy.

Strategies To Maximize Your Office Space

Planning an office renovation can be very exciting and interesting. After investing in a good property every inch will matter to you. You should take everything into consideration like furniture, colour scheme, lighting, storage quotient, reception, conference room, etc.

Developing a successful strategy, however, requires careful planning, data gathering, analysis, and forecasting. It requires a deep understanding of the enterprises’ critical values, with future goals in mind. For many workplace management teams, this is a daunting task, riddled with a multitude of influencing factors that need to be addressed along the way. Let’s take a look at a few necessities to help you revamp your space strategy and improve organizational efficiency.

Office Space Goals

Whether your organization is renovating an existing space or designing a new one, you along with your renovation contractor should plan everything from beginning to the end. You should talk about the list of departments that will be housed, a headcount of current employees, foot traffic and machinery information.

Aligning Your Strategy With Workforce Needs

Now that you have identified organizational goals, the needs of your workforce should align with the tools you are going to make available. And you should decide on tools which are not only beneficial currently, but also extend themselves to successful growth and productivity.

Having The Right Amount Of Space

Having the wrong space can interrupt your business or make it difficult to operate. You need to plan carefully when you calculate how much office space you need. This also helps in ensuring safety. If a fire or some other emergency occurs, you want enough space so that people can exit the building safely and quickly.

Arrangement Of Furniture

Determine the goal of your furniture arrangement. Consider putting your desk near a window to get the most light in your workspace. Once you know the size of the room and the size of your furniture, you can make some preliminary plans on how to position your furniture for maximizing the workspace. You can make it more welcoming to clients, maximize your productivity, and increase aesthetics.

Open Office Floor Plan

Last but not least the open office plan increases collaboration, employee satisfaction, and communication.

At Cornerstone, we have completed many successful commercial renovation projects and we have the experience and expertise to handle your project. Get in touch with our commercialcontractor to maximize your office space.

5 Tips For Designing Office Layout

What is the operational goal your company wants to achieve with the space it has? Answering this question will give you a clear idea of your needs. Optimizing the workspace is not just about arranging the furniture, but it is more than that. You can refresh your office by following a few simple tips and tricks. Listed below are five important aspects that you should consider when planning an office design.

Natural Light And Greenery

Natural light and greenery will have a positive impact on your employees health and researchers say that it can certainly increase productivity. Moreover, because natural light reduces the need for artificial lighting during daytime hours, energy costs are lowered. A significant improvement was found in employee recruitment and retention as a result of green retrofits.

Having The Right Amount Of Space

Having the wrong type of space can interrupt your business or make it difficult to operate. You and your commercial contractor need to plan carefully when you calculate how much office space you really need. This also helps in ensuring safety. If a fire or some other emergency occurs, you want to have enough space so that people can exit the building safely and quickly.

Storage And Cleanliness

Storage is often the last thing considered when it comes to office design, but it’s a very important factor to plan for. In addition to using paperless solutions such as cloud storage, look into different types of physical storage to optimize the amount of space in your office while also keeping everything stored in place. Of course, choosing the right furniture will help in this aspect.

Once you spend enough time in an office environment, you need to make a cleaning schedule and stick to it.

Lobby Design

Just like conference rooms and offices, lobbies play an important role in contributing to a positive work environment through design, and they also reflect your brand. So when planning an office renovation, it is important to take the lobby into consideration. Lobbies are not just an entryway or waiting space, but the first impression a client has of your company.

Open Office Floor Plan

Last but not least the open office plan can add to the motivational levels of company employees, and increase collaboration, employee satisfaction, and communication.

At Cornerstone, we have completed many successful commercial renovation projects and we have the experience and expertise to handle your project. Contact our renovationcontractor for refreshing your office.

RENOVATION PROJECTS TO PREPARE YOUR BUSINESS FOR SUMMER

Renovating the workspace may increase productivity if it is done right. Once you have decided to renovate your working space communicate your plans with your employees. Even if you won't relocate or stop working during the renovation process, take in their inputs. Choosing the right commercial contractor will be your next step. Know about your contractor, and consider factors like experience, reliability, and projects handled in the past before choosing your contractor. Discuss and plan the layout with your contractor and other project partners before the actual execution. Listed below are a few office/store renovation ideas that you can follow to create a better work environment.

CORRECT COLOUR PALETTE

Gone are the days when the office was painted with professional lighter colours. The usual white and greys may be boring. Choosing of bold, bright and vibrant colours may generate energy. This may also create a positive effect on the employees and the workspace becomes welcoming. Bright pops of happy colour can excite the employee and they may end up working for longer hours.

NO PARTITION

Removing the partition wall between the cabin will elevate the employee interaction. This will also make the office space look larger.

WHITE/CHALKBOARD WALL

Writing on whiteboards or chalkboards will induce creativity. Using notepads and pinning sticky notes may not have this effect. It is also a cost-effective way of improving creativity in the workplace.

CONFERENCE ROOM

Ideas are born here. The conference room should not be claustrophobic. The meeting room's design should be designed to evoke the brainstorming process. You can take down the ideas of your contractor during the Commercial renovation process.

UPGRADED WINDOWS

Closing down all the windows may produce a negative effect. Bringing in the outer sunlight and air maybe rejuvenating. Replacing the smaller windows with bigger ones means you spend less money on heating and cooling the workplace.

For your commercial renovation needs contact Cornerstone @ https://trustcornerstone.ca/ or call @ Call: 905-364-5588.

Source: https://construction-and-renovation.quora.com/RENOVATION-PROJECTS-TO-PREPARE-YOUR-BUSINESS-FOR-SUMMER