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Like households, commercial spaces and properties also need to be renovated at some point. Whether your company wants to expand the office, break down walls, or restructure the office layout, renovation projects will impact the employees and their jobs. Before allowing contractors and the entire renovation team to start their jobs, you need to execute ways to prepare your employees for a workspace renovation.

Renovations on any scale can come with stress. Your employees will need to bring out all the tools and equipment they need into their temporary office setting. As their employer or manager, it’s your responsibility to inform them of the changes and devise plans and rules to ensure a smooth work transition. 

To start a successful workspace renovation, apply the following tips for preparing your staff:

1. Find An Alternative Office

Once your company begins the renovations, chances are there’ll be loud noises as construction tasks are getting performed. The first thing to do is to set up a plan to go through with your usual office tasks. One cost-effective way is to rent a shipping container accommodation as a temporary office space for your employees. 

Since they’re movable and stackable, your team can decide which location is best to set them up. People who face temporary concerns, such as noise sensitivity caused by work zone equipment, will find this helpful. Employees can continue working productively during renovation due to its portability and features, whether this alternative office is situated on the same building premises or in other locations. 

Ensure that your short-term workspace meets the requirements your employees will need after moving in. It should be comfortable and spacious enough for them to bring in their desks and chairs, as well as equipment, files, and other office tools.  

2. Decide On The Renovation Scale And Rollout Strategy

Another important tip is to decide how to upgrade your office. With an effective rollout strategy, you can mitigate renovation effects on your work processes. You can hire the right renovation team to collaborate with an internal team in your company to set up goals together, decide on a budget, and create the action steps of the renovation. This allows you to determine how large or small the renovation will be. 

Estimate your scale and budget by taking into account costs, such as construction, new furniture, materials, labor, as well as a buffer for unexpected expenses. You can seek proposals and forecasts from the finance team to develop the appropriate budget. Once the budget is finalized, you can start looking for your contractors. 

3. Communicate With Your Team 

Preparing for the upcoming office renovations isn’t just up to you; your entire team needs to do so as well. Be sure to let the team know what’s coming in the next few months to arrange your renovation tasks. It’s crucial to brief them early, so everyone can prepare for the possibilities of moving temporarily. 

They should know specific details, like the new office layout, renovation timeline, unique work style, and what they need to do during and after the move. Letting everyone know about these changes will help them feel more involved. Moreover, they can suggest and share tips on making the temporary work style even more productive. When the entire team can brainstorm about this better, the results are often more successful. 

4. Ensure That Your Employees Aren’t Distracted 

It’s also important to think about how working on an active renovation site may affect your employees. Check out all the dangerous threats to your workers’ health and safety. Construction materials and procedures involve hazardous chemicals and loud, disruptive noises. These may not be good for your workers’ physical and mental health.

Renovations can be scheduled after business hours to avoid any conflicts. However, this can prolong the duration of the renovation project in the end. When going through an office renovation, employers should anticipate the reality that it will lessen employees’ productivity and output. Hence, the need for alternative office locations and other plans.

5. Set Realistic Deadlines 

While conducting a renovation, you need to set up a realistic timeline. It’s essential not to rush the process, as this might only result in bad renovation outcomes. Tell your employees how long the renovation will ultimately take. 

This will allow them to anticipate and adapt to their temporary work environments for the given time. Notifying them the wrong finishing date of the renovation will only end up disappointing them, which will affect their productivity. 

Conclusion 

There are necessary steps to take before carrying out an office renovation. The pointers above will allow you and your employees to smoothly transition into a temporary work setting without stress and hiccups. 

It’s always best to maintain regular communication with your employees, so they’re aware of the project’s progress and include them as much as possible in the decision-making process. This will make them feel involved and valued and help them continue working productively while renovations are being done.