You think getting an office makeover sounds like a good idea. You hear stories of grandeur and promises of productivity from office renovations and you want to experience these benefits for yourself and your company. However, before you dig into your wallet to invest in these improvements, it’s important to make sure that what you are getting done is really going to be worth it.
There are three main reasons that people want to makeover their office: improved looks, increased energy efficiency, or optimal productivity. Perhaps you only desire one of these results, or maybe you want all there. Regardless, here is a further look into these three reasons to help you decide if the time and energy it takes to move forward with your makeover will be worth it in the long run.
Improved Looks
A makeover is a surefire way to spruce up the appearance of your office building, but you need to evaluate what you will really get by changing out the furniture and adding some decorator touches. Will it make you look more professional to incoming clients? If so, then your efforts may help you land more work, which means more money in your pocket. However, if you don’t have that many walk-in prospects, changing your office’s aesthetics is probably just for your own enjoyment. That being said, if it will make you happier every day to see a beautiful workspace, then no amount of money should hold you back.
Increased Energy Efficiency
Surely your office has already made some changes to reduce your carbon footprint, such as using CFL light bulbs and trying to communicate via email as much as possible instead of printing memos, but if you are serious about increasing energy efficiency, you need to do more than that. It has been reported that by upgrading your lighting, heating, and cooling systems you can cut your operating costs by as much as 30%. That translates to a savings of $150,000 per year for an office building that is 250,000 square feet. These upgrades will increase your bottom line for years to come, while helping you contribute to a creating a healthier planet.
Optimal Productivity
Take a look around your office. Are there stacks of paper everywhere? Do people have to walk an extreme distance to get to the break room or the bathroom? Does the layout of your office keep people away from each other that may benefit from collaboration? If you can answer yes to even one of these questions, an office makeover is a good idea. As reported by CBS, as many as 50% of employees would be willing to add an extra hour to their workday if they were happier with their workspace. How’s that for increased productivity? If you can create an office that makes it easy for your employees to stay organized and is designed in a way to allow for collaboration and minimal time wasted, you will definitely reap the rewards that you sow.