Physically expanding a business is one of the best things to look forward to, but also one of the worst things to have to execute! After all, as a business owner it means you’ve got good funding and resources behind you, but so many things could go wrong during the process. And this is especially true if you’re not a construction expert yourself! So for all the beginners out there, let’s go through the things you need to know about renovations, redecorations, and premise changes down below.
You Need to Be Realistic About Your Use of Space
You never want to expand before you know what you’re going to use the space for - we’re talking about a concrete idea here! So, what do you really need from this expansion? More storage space? It’d be better to rent out a warehouse. More cubicles in the office? Then maybe you should take down the walls or dividers to fit more desks in. Take a look around your premises. If you can make a change to your space without having to physically restructure it, do so. After all, you won’t need to knock anything down or make a change you cannot easily remove, and that’ll save a lot of time and money.
A Good Contractor is Essential
A good contractor is really worth their salt, and will also be worth about a thousand mediocre contractors you could hire instead! After all, a good contractor will take you through the process in detail, with a budget breakdown, prepare resources like a Scaffold tower guide so you know what you’re paying for, and plenty of chances to check in on progress. They’ll also be someone you find it easy to get along with - you’ll have creative discussions about progress and you’ll never be unable to get into contact with them. And all of these benefits mean you’ll want to take your time finding the right team. Even in a small business, when money is on the line, never rush into the decision!
It May Take a Long Time
Expanding any kind of property takes time, even if you’ve already allocated a two week window for the construction work. Unforeseen delays in weather, or supplies running out, can happen at any moment and you should never discount the possibility. It’s why most project managers would recommend anyone undertaking this work to extend their development window by at least another week. If that sounds like too much time right now, you’ll need to put the work off until you can manage it. Make arrangements to work remotely where you can, put some funds in your personal and professional savings pots, and make sure your team is always up to date on what’s going on.
Expansion of business premises is a good sign! However, the work doesn’t come without a price. Make sure you’re ready to undertake the associated costs and downtime - they could last a lot longer than you ever expected them to.
