Building an office space is quite the endeavor; and not for the faint of heart.  It usually starts with a dream, a goal, or a vision; and when you’re ready, taking the steps to put it into practice.  It’s not easy, or cheap; but if done properly, this process can lead to major rewards and financial gains in your future.

There’s a lot to think about, construction, budgets, staffing, production, accounting, and clientele.  You’ll want to make sure you’re covering all your bases, and that you’re not forgetting some key factors that play essential roles in your project.  Before thinking about business details; you’ll want to focus on creating a space that encourages creativity, production, and focus.  This means your space needs to incorporate many different qualities, and that all starts with building and construction.  Here are five contractors you’ll need when building an office space:

1.     Electricians

You may not be aware, but workers and staff are highly affected by the lighting that surrounds them.  It’s been shown in research that proper placement of natural and artificial lights can improve production by 36%.  This means that the work of electricians in the beginning stages is critical and not to be overlooked.  Be sure to get their opinion on the placement and quality of lights in order to maximize your office productivity.  Thinking ahead like this in the beginning stages will save you in more ways than one, later.

2.     Plumber

Consider how many people you’re hoping to host and have working in the space beforehand.  There’s nothing worse than not having enough washing areas and/or bathrooms available to your staff and clientele.  It’s also important to consider privacy, sanitation, and well, let’s be honest; smells.  A quality plumber can help you with all this and more during your construction stages, and having their opinion and viewpoints can lessen the stress of future problems.

3.     Interior Designer

You don’t want to skip this step! Hiring an interior designer can help create the necessary space needed to optimize your work area.  Fung Shui is a real thing; and is always helpful when designing areas with a purpose; such as office spaces.  A good interior designer will help you create a peaceful and focused environment.  They could also help with things like desk and divider placements, boardrooms and tables, even something as simple as wall art to help create the desired environment.

4.     Paving Contractor

Often overlooked, but always appreciated, is a good parking area. There’s nothing worse than not having a clean, quality, and spacious parking lot.  Before nailing anything together, make sure to talk to your paving contractor in regards to space, vehicle expectations, and line placement in the parking lot.  This can be beneficial to not only your staff but to your clients as well.  There’s nothing worse than having to walk five blocks to get to your destination because they weren’t properly prepared for parking. That could make or break your client’s decision on whether to visit your office space or not.

5.     Cleaning Services

Lastly, you don’t want to skimp out on the cleaning services.  Construction is messy, and dust can get into places that you didn’t even know existed.  Hire a good cleaning company once all is said and done; someone with experience with commercial properties is your best bet.  Whether your own business in that space, or leasing it to another company, having a clean space will literally make or break the attitude in your business, and you do not want to skip this step.

Above all, make sure you trust all the outside help you bring in.  Creating personal rapport with all associated businesses is a good idea in order to ensure great service and the best bang for your buck.  Studies show that people are more likely to do their best work when they’re feeling encouraged, proud and safe; so, whenever possible; ensure you create that environment and relationship with your vendors and workers.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions, do your own research, and ask your community for opinions and advice.  There’s nothing wrong with seeking help when taking on big tasks like this. 

Good record keeping is going to change the attitude you have about the whole project.  So, stay as organized as possible to avoid mistakes or financial errors.  Your accountant should be helpful during this process, as well as a general contractor if you find you’re needing some help with the paperwork aspect of things.

In the end, the hard work will be well worth it! Putting thought into your office space is going to give you and your staff the best possible environment to create, build, and produce to the best of their ability; which will help you grow your company and gain the respectable reputation you deserve; not to mention, compensate your wallet accordingly!