How does an office renovation improve productivity and boost morale?

 

Your workplace reflects your company’s personality. It impacts employee motivation and builds positive impressions for clients who visit your office. Therefore, having an office that is well-maintained, equipped, and upgraded is essential. Office renovations help to improve your bottom line. It makes your premises more inviting, improves workplace morale, and sets a vibrant tone. If you invest in regular upgrades, you can rest assured about the long-term growth of your employees and business. 

Here are the different ways in which renovating your office can boost productivity and strengthen employee morale:

1.    Introduces Open Layout: With newer additions, you can promote camaraderie and cooperation among employees. Commercial contractors can build communal working areas, open layouts with simple walkways, and collaborative workstations. Employees can work together in these areas and spend more time knowing each other.

 

2.    Overcomes Wear and Tear: All commercial properties and offices go through the usual wear and tear. You notice peeling paint and scratches on desks and chairs. These scars don’t appeal to potential clients and employees. Cornerstone ensures that your office is always attractive and presentable. With proper maintenance and care, you have a safer working environment that keeps employees healthy and in high spirits. 

 

3.    Increases Employee Engagement: Employees confined to workstations and congested cabins don’t have space to move around and talk to other teams. As you renovate, you create more open space that allows employees to unwind and interact with others. Such interactions boost creativity. Employees engage in ideas and discover how they can do their jobs better. 

 

4.    Upgrades Equipment: An essential aspect of renovating is upgrading office equipment. Upgrades include everything you use to complete smooth operations. When employees have the right equipment like printers, good lighting, and good furniture like tables, chairs, they are likely to be more productive. 

Scheduling periodic upgrades and renovations help to keep productivity and morale high. Renovating isn’t just about looks, you are also working on the workflow, lighting, layout, and effective utilization of space. Always discuss with the professionals at Cornerstone for professional and reliable contracting services. 

 

6 Tips For Estimating And Controlling Commercial Renovation Costs

Every store or property undergoes renovation at some point in time. Whether you do it to upgrade systems or update fixtures, the most difficult part is planning the store renovation cost. There is no simple formula and you need to look at several factors before you can arrive at an estimate. 

A commercial contractor spends time understanding various elements to determine the cost. These include location, building use, building codes, historic district compliance, number of disciplines required, as well as current market factors. 

While outside factors help you determine the cost of renovation, there are ways by which owners can better manage the budgets. Here are 6 tips to help you control commercial renovation costs:

1.     Plan Ahead

Many owners plan renovations when the space develops critical needs. This is not a good idea. Waiting instead of advance planning can lead to the difference between just a re-paint job or replacing walls completely.  Planning ahead can make a big difference.

2.      Avoid Surprises

No building owner enjoys an unpleasant surprise after the renovation has begun. While there are some unavoidable surprises, most can be prevented with proper planning and due diligence. If you carefully assess the property’s condition, you can avoid overshooting the budget.

3.      Obtain Accurate Requirements

It is important to establish project needs in detail right from the beginning. Knowing how the special layout is going to change and keeping in mind its current and potential uses will lead to an accurate cost estimate. 

4.       Choose the Right Materials

Renovation expenses are just a part of the entire project. Sometimes, the right materials cost a lot more but result in long-term savings depending on use. Conversely, sometimes you can easily avoid the use of expensive material.

5.         Consider the Life Cycle of Building Systems

Electrical, plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning systems have a natural life cycle. Take into account the Expected Useful Life of these devices to determine the replacements you need to include in your renovation project. 

6.           Partner with the Right Renovation Expert

A good renovation partner is critical. Cornerstone has deep expertise in renovation and can offer an accurate estimate for renovation costs. 

6 Key Methods To Successfully Manage An Office Renovation

The idea of commercial renovation has many benefits. It gives your staff the boost they need to improve productivity, and at the same time, renews and refreshes the space. However, the project is not an easy one. There’s a lot to manage with the business operations ongoing. 

Cornerstone helps you with 6 key methods to make your office renovation a success:

1.     Information Gathering

As you begin, obtain all engineering and architectural documents. Remember to physically assess the entire space with the design team to evaluate what you have and what you need. Variations in plans at a later stage can cause obstacles in construction, and lead to unplanned expenses and delays. 

2.               Define Goals

Plan out your requirements. What do you want and why? Are there any limitations? Do you need changes? Answering these questions is vital. These help you understand the ‘how’ portion of planning. 

3.               Communication is the Key

Make sure that everyone involved is informed of the different procedures. The landlord, office staff, constructor design team, subcontractors, and stakeholders must all know their responsibilities. This does not leave any scope for miscommunication, overwork, and overpaying. 

4.               Focus on Employee Productivity

A new environment can increase productivity. So, get feedback and suggestions from employees on the changes they think would be motivational and inspire more positive energy.  Ask for suggestions to execute your project in a manner that boosts their morale without hampering their space and productivity. 

5.               Budget Realistically

Many office owners don’t plan for unexpected costs and end up in a tight spot towards the end, sacrificing durability, quality, or timeline. Sit with your commercial contractor to understand what is needed and get a better sense of actual costs for your renovation. 

6.               Plan Ahead to Avoid Delays

Complete the preparation work to develop strong drawings. Keep lead times for material delivery, permissions, and contractor mobilization. 

These are some key methods to help you plan a successful renovation in the office. Take them into account to create a better environment for you and your team. 

 

5 Effects of Store Remodelling on New and Existing Customers

Your business is doing well but you want to take it to the next level. Good isn’t enough anymore and you’re looking for that extraordinary sales revenue. You want to stand out to attract many more customers. The ideal solution in such a scenario is to do a store renovation. 

Now, you might think renovation is more of an expense than income. However, commercial renovation is an investment that effectively pays off. Here are 5 effects of store remodelling on new and existing builds that you probably didn’t think of earlier:

1.     Excellent Customer Service

Employees are a valuable resource. They work hard to push the business up with their performance. A successful renovation is one that increases employee enthusiasm. Moreover, it makes work easier and more enjoyable leading to improved productivity. Consequently, a motivated workforce delivers excellent customer service pleasing both new and existing customers. 

2.               Increased Traffic

If you have a modern, attractive and inviting store, you will draw more customers. An eye-catching look will attract new clients and be a pleasant surprise to existing ones, who will recommend your services to others.

3.     Enhanced Comfort

Commercial contractors recommend that you upgrade to more energy-efficient products. A comfortable store leads to customers wanting to spend more time inside and explore the product range with patience. And the energy costs incurred by you are significantly lesser. 

4.               Better Space Management

A renovation focuses on optimizing workspace. If customers can easily find what they need, your sales will go higher. Moreover, if the space is well-managed and customers get enough space to walk through, they will happily visit your store. 

5.               Improved Brand Image

Remodelling is the perfect way to stand out and beat the competition. Your store interiors creates the first impression for a customer and establishes a brand image. If you renew it every few years, customers will know that you upgrade with the latest trends and will not feel that your space looks stale. There are higher chances of brand loyalty. 

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.

How The Office Design Impacts Your Mental Health

Are your employees mentally healthy? How many of you really know the answer to this question? This is an era of the industry boom. There are many corporate workplaces. But how do you stand out from the crowd? People spend more time in office these days and so the workspace design has an impact on the mental health of the employees. So, have you designed it to meet the mental health needs? Here are a few components your workspace should include to create a healthy office.

Work-Life Balance

Every employee has a personal life, so if your sector requires something more than the regular 9 to 5 job and if working overtime is unavoidable, you can think of ways to compensate them. Engaging breakout spaces, adding amenities, having informal meeting areas and ergonomic furniture are a few things that can make the working experience all the more positive. This will create a home away from home environment for your employees to work peacefully and creatively.

Employee Growth & Development

Every employee should grow with the business and every employer will need that growth. You can take some measures to ensure the growth of the employees. You can provide your employees with the right technology and introduce incentives to encourage them.

Employee Recognition& Encouragement

The level of engagement in your office will have a direct impact on the employees’ mental health. But is your office designed to meet collaboration and brainstorming needs? You can have small meeting rooms and big conference rooms not just for client meetings, but to recognize your employees. You can also hang inspirational quotes and positive images on the office walls.

The Right Color Scheme

Employing the right color scheme is crucial when it comes to office design. Your mind reacts differently to different colors schemes. For example, blue is associated with well being and productivity, therefore it suits most of the workspace. Black or grey may be depressing.

Keep Things Fresh & Relaxed

Use of plants, larger window with views of nature, water features and open spaces can all create a healthier and calmer workplace environment.

At Cornerstone, we have commercial contractors who are capable of creating workspace that cater to the needs of employees’ mental health. Contact us to create an atmosphere that encourages your employees and is motivating.