- info@alafnanmetals.com
- +971 58 596 5811
Starting an interior fit out project can be daunting. Whether it’s a new office, a new retail space, or refurbishing a restaurant’s interior, the decisions you make will affect how you operate your business, how your customers experience your business and the financial performance of your business for decades. The purpose of this article is to break down the interior fit out process so you can make decisions with confidence.
Industry leaders like Al Afnan Metals have established themselves by navigating the interior fit out process with their clients, ensuring that the interiors provide actual value and avoid unnecessary elements. Let us take a look at the most important information you will need to make informed decisions about your upcoming interior fit out project.
In its simplest form, interior fit outs are the process of fitting out or upgrading empty or worn spaces into operational spaces for defined business needs. Interior fit outs are not just about a fresh coat of paint or the odd renovation; complete interior fit outs implement the visible aspects of your space as well as the hidden infrastructure that facilitates the day-to-day operations of your space.
Typically, there are two categories of fit outs, but most fit out projects will encompass some of both.
This just includes the minimum requirements for a space to be operational:
A tenant fit out would accommodate the needs of the individual business:
Understanding what fits within each definition will clarify responsibility between landlords or building owners, and tenants, while avoiding potential costs and delays down the road. Companies specializing in commercial fit outs such as Al Afnan Metals will understand these differences, and can assist to clarify in detail within contracts or agreements at the start of a fit out project.
The quality and appropriateness of your fit out has a direct impact on several critical business components:
Research has shown that customers are forming opinions about your business within the first 7 seconds of entering your space. The interior fit out has a direct influence on the customer experience in that critical time period. If executed well, the interior fit out establishes a first impression that reflects the business brand positioning and experience you want the customer to have.
Spaces that are poorly designed lead to friction experienced by staff and customers creating unanticipated friction points each day. Thoughtfully and strategically designed interior fit outs reduce friction of traffic flow, workstation and support space, or supporting facilities based on experiences of actual usage.
Given that labor costs, as a rule of thumb, can account for 60% to 80% of an operating budget, interior fit outs that enhance the employee experience can yield strong return-on-investment. Work environments that are comfortable and functional tend to reduce costs associated with employee turnover while simultaneously increasing productivity.
Modern interior fit outs can reduce energy consumption by 30%-50%, reducing monthly operating costs through smart lighting, improved HVAC systems, and overall insulation performance.
A well-structured interior fit out should focus on flexibility to accommodate business change—saving your firm the cost of renovation as your business develops. simultaneously increasing productivity.
By not just understanding trends that are prevalent now, you’ll be able to make educated, future-orienting decisions for the life of your investment in your interior fit out:
Far from fixed installations of previous generations, interior fit outs now steer innovative and leading edge projects through the inclusion of modular componentry, permitting a re-configuration as business needs change, while also avoiding unnecessarily extensive renovations.
The use of natural elements – plants, daylight, non-artificial materials – has evolved from a preference to an expectation. Evidence suggests that using natural elements contributes to lower stress, better creativity, and improved wellbeing in the workplace, which makes it one of the vital elements of a successful interior fit out.
The modern interior fit out is and must be technology-enabled, as most projects include sophisticated technology infrastructures while adapting to changes in technologies systems including audiovisual systems, smart lighting, and controlled HVAC systems. Future-oriented design includes adequate power, cable management, and other considerations to accommodate the future of the Internet of Things.
More than ever, firms are using materials and finishes that contain antimicrobial properties, enhancing air filtration systems, and providing touchless solutions (i.e., systems to increase the health and vigor of employees and customers – all of which have been elevated through a global pandemic) and have changed interior fit out designs in the contemporary standards now being developed for the workplace interior fit out, including walls, furniture and operational systems.
Modern-day fit outs no longer just create “nice” spaces, they build physical representations of brand identity. Creating spaces where experiences match the vision beyond basic ‘nice’ provides a consistent brand experience that compels customers and employees to choose you over others in an increasingly competitive landscape.
While undertaking your own interior fit out project may initially seem appealing, often the benefits of using professional interior fit out services often outweigh the original perceived cost of these services:
Professional interior fit out offers a detailed specification of your costs as soon as possible. In most cases they’ll even highlight the risks to your budget as soon as possible… sometimes even before the project fully gets underway! Most experienced professionals you hire will even assist you in creating a ranked list of your risks, along with several methods to reduce each one.
Expecting to complete a self-managed project in a specific timeframe? Good luck! On average a project which is self managed will take at least 45% longer than the planned duration. Professionals complete projects on time due to their supply chain partnerships, simultaneous streams of work and ability to anticipate common bottlenecks before they become blatant delays as part of the project.
There are many rules and regulations associated with buildings, fire, accessibility and even different professional industries. Professional interior fit out teams understand these rules and regulations, and can help save time and money if something needs to be done once the build is finished.
Established interior fit out firms have established relationships with suppliers and can leverage preferential pricing and priority when it comes to scheduling a general contractor for your project. This can quickly erase any amount you pay in management fees and provide a better level of finish, fixtures, materials, etc.
Project management is management of operations. Development of the project should include how to minimize disruption to the daily operations of the business while you fit out your project. Some planning ideas include cultivated plan phases, work at night, and implementation of temp workspaces until the project is complete.
Quality firms offer better warranties which equal the confidence in the workmanship provided above.
Issue: The specialty retail environment needed to be refreshed, but the store operation had to continue and the budget was artificially limited.
Solution: Al Afnan Metals created a phased interior fit out program which involved:
Outcome: The whole store environment was completely refreshed at -22% under the original projected budget, and the store had zero days of closure, and reported a 17% increase in sales in the quarter after completion of all work.
Issue: A professional services firm needed to convert their traditional office model to align with their new hybrid working model while preserving their corporate culture.
Solution: The interior fit out project included:
Outcome: The firm experienced 94% employee satisfaction with their new working environment, reduced their real estate footprint by -30% due to more effective use of space, and strengthened their position as an employer of choice to attract talent and brand themselves as innovative workplace.
Issue: A new restaurant had to create a unique guest dining experience within tight time and location limitations.
Solution: The full interior fit out achieved was:
Outcome: The restaurant opened on time, despite the supply chain issues, hit profitability in the first three months (outrunning the industry benchmark) and the customer experience generated substantial organic exposure across social media through the amazing space that was created.
Before engaging providers, have a clear list of outcomes your interior fit outs need to achieve:
Think beyond the costs of initial implementation:
For interior fit out we consider:
Consider how your business will continue to operate notwithstanding the fit out:
How will you be measuring success, after the project is completed?
An interior fit out is much more than changing the look, it is an investment in your business environment which impacts – operations, customer experiences, staff satisfaction and brand definition.
Being aware of the process, working with partners such as Al Afnan Metals who have experience and credible practice will lead your decisions. Together we can create spaces which will deliver meaningful return on the investment for your business.
Whether you are opening a new location or refreshing an existing space, treating your interior fit out as a conscious business decision, instead of a construction activity, will help you extract the value, as well as avoid costly mistakes.
The right interior fit out will not only influence how your space looks, it will change how your business performs.
If you’re a business owner considering an interior fit out, working with reputable specialists with technical delivery experience, as well as industry specific best practice will be to your advantage.
