The cost of fitting out and furnishing workspace is dependent upon a wide range of factors.

THE BUILDING

A new well-specified building will generally cost less to fit out than a second-hand building.

Older building stock - particularly period buildings - tend to present more challenges to installing an effective environmental infrastructure; air conditioning, lighting, power etc.

CATEGORY A AND CATEGORY B

A ‘Category A’ building is generally finished to an acceptable institutional standard, ready for occupation by a tenant.  It will be provided with air conditioning, lighting, small power – and sometimes with carpet.

‘Category B’ refers to the specific elements required by the occupier-general finishes, joinery, partitions, and modifications required to the basic ‘Category A’ specification.

One common area of waste (and cost) is the need to modify and adapt mechanical and electrical systems – it can be beneficial to accept a capital contribution from the Landlord of a building requiring refurbishment, so that Category A and Category B works can be undertaken together to meet the occupier’s specific needs.

NATURE OF REQUIREMENT

In general, the more ‘open plan’ the environment, the lower the cost.

Building walls (partitions) to create individual offices, meeting rooms and other enclosed areas, creates a greater need to modify the mechanical (air conditioning and ventilation) and lighting installations.

Special requirements can also have a significant impact. For example, the main computer (Comms) room may require dedicated air conditioning, fire suppression systems, or even a back-up generator.

QUALITY OF FINISHES

Good design does not have to cost money, but as a general rule, the better the quality, the higher the cost.  For example, a good quality cushion-backed carpet will cost more than a basic contract grade, and real wood veneer finishes will cost more than MFC (melamine faced chipboard) finishes.

Specifying low-quality finishes can be a false economy; they are unlikely to be as durable and will require replacement sooner.

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