Co-working space

What is a co-working space?

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What is a co-working space?

A co-working space is a place where freelancers can come together to work in a traditional work environment. The co-working space concept came about in 2005. People realised that there was a gap in the market for a communal office space for independent workers. So, by paying a daily, weekly or monthly fee, independent workers can combat isolation and the distractions that come with working from home.

 

But why not just work from home?

As many that work from home will say that they feel less focused in a home environment. Whilst at home, your mind associates where you are with rest. Therefore, it is important for many to have a contrast in spaces for different purposes.

Not to mention, humans are social creatures. And a communal office offers people the daily social interaction that you would find in a regular office. These workplaces create community whilst also allowing networking. So, co-working spaces can potentially lead to valuable professional relationships too.

Despite the concept being introduced in the early 00s, co-working spaces have become more prevalent over the past decade.

 

Who else can use these spaces?

Covid-19 forced many into a virtual realm through which many have chosen to remain. Therefore, as you could probably imagine, the amount of remote and hybrid workers has surged since then. But this doesn’t mean that they won’t go days without missing a conventional work environment. So, co-working spaces are perfect for those that are feeling nostalgic over an office environment! So, with many co-working spaces offering daily charges, this is the perfect remedy for remote workers craving socialisation or just a distraction free zone as and when they feel like it!

An appealing atmosphere is vital

It is crucial that a co-working space has an attractive aesthetic that people will be motivated by and look forward to spending their working days in. Additionally, they need to be flexible spaces that cater to a variety of needs. So, whether that’s meeting rooms, quiet areas, or networking zones. It needs to be a place that surpasses a home office and that people want to return to.

 

Contact Us

Co-working spaces are an innovative way to adapt to the increase in remote working. Additionally, they are a fantastic way to meet the demands of freelancers.

Are you looking to start-up a coworking space? Or perhaps you are just looking to revamp a current co-working that you manage?

Either way, we have financed hundreds of furniture and fit outs requirements of businesses across the nation. So, it’s safe to say that we know our stuff when it comes to fit outs. Give us a call today to find out more about how we can help you get started 01494 506 385. Alternatively, send us an email to hello@fitout.finance and a member of our friendly team will get back to you shortly! You can also see more over on our LinkedIn page.

office fit out categories

What type of office fit out matches my needs?

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A good place to start when planning for your office fit out is identifying the office fit out category that matches your needs best.

You might be wondering what we mean by ‘category’ of office fit out. So, let’s break them down. There are 3 main categories when looking at office fit outs. Throughout this blog, I will be listing the categories and what elements are generally included in each.

The office fit out categories

CAT A

This is the most basic type of office fit out. This type is usually appointed by a landlord who wants to sell on to prospective tenants as opposed to an actual business owner looking to create an office space for their employees.

CAT A fit outs usually provide the following:

  • Raised floors and dropped ceilings
  • Basic internal finishes
  • Basic electrical and mechanical services
  • Air-conditioning and ventilation (HVAC)
  • Fitted smoke and fire alarms, as well as carbon monoxide detectors
  • Lavatories

Therefore, these types of fit outs aren’t furnished and only provide the bare necessities that set the foundation for a fully flourished workspace. This will then require the next step for an office designer to come in and work on the furnishings of the office.

 

CAT A+

This is a relatively new category that is perceived as the happy medium between CAT A and CAT B fit outs. It merges elements from both categories making it a more generous setup alternative for landlords to provide their tenants.

In addition to the CAT A elements listed above, the features of this category usually include:

  • Desks and workstations
  • Kitchen facilities
  • Basic interior decor
  • Breakout spaces

 

CAT B

This is the most bespoke category of all 3. And usually undertaken by the tenant/ business owner. This is the process that fully shapes the workspace tailored to your end vision. Therefore, this is the stage which allows you to inject your brand image into the work environment, enabling you to incorporate brand values and additional employee needs/wants.

As well as the CAT A+ elements, CAT B features can include:

 

  • Office furniture
  • Meeting/ conference rooms
  • Company branding
  • Partitioning
  • Floor finishing
  • IT Equipment
  • Reception area

 

With a CAT B fit out, it allows you to cater to the needs of your employees. You might be surprised of the outcome of investing into a further developed and personalised fit out. And as the result of an inviting and aesthetically pleasing workspace, you will most likely see a boost in employee productivity and morale.

Contact Us

If you would like to be advised on which office fit out category will suit your needs the most, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with a member of our team on 01494 506 385. Alternatively, head over to our contact page and fill in the form outlining your needs and we’d be happy to help!

Why social spaces are so important

Why social spaces are so important

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What is a ‘social space’?

A social space is essentially a breakout area. It’s somewhere that employees can go to relax, socialise, and sometimes even work with others. They are designed to create a different setting away from the desk. They make sure that breaks are optimised and taken in the best way for employees. It will differ depending on the type of business you work for; however, they all try to reach the same goal. Over the years there have been several wacky and wonderful ideas, such as foosball tables, beanbags and even vending machines. However, these are not usually found in most UK businesses breakout areas! However, if your budget allows, your employees’ expectations are met, and productivity levels are kept intact or even improved, then a few beanbags might be just what you need! Below are a few more reasons why social spaces are so important.

Enabling employees to work together

Arguably, one of the most important reasons to have a designated social space is to improve communication between employees. Stepping away from the desk and entering a space where you can socialise will help improve creativity. Allowing you to communicate with others around you will allow you to connect with your fellow colleagues. This has many major benefits including a better environment when working, increased productivity and increased collaborative work. It can also take out the broken communication that can sometimes occur between departments. Taking out the more formal setting allows those who wouldn’t normally work together to do so, again improving communication and increasing the likelihood of working together in the future.

Importance of a well rested break

We all know that formal settings such as meeting rooms and boardrooms are important for work. However, social spaces are just as important during those times when you’re not working. Making sure your staff take well deserved breaks to relax are so important. Taking yourself away from the desk at lunchtime for example can lead to a more productive afternoon and increased motivation, perfect for business! In this day and age, the importance of mental health and well-being is also on the rise. Therefore, the importance of breakout areas are all the more prevalent.

Design layout of your workspace

Lastly, the design and layout of your workspace is equally as important. This includes things such as acoustics, lighting, food and drink objects, filling spaces and partitioning. The acoustics of a social space can be changed by the introduction of soft furnishings and lower lighting. Food and drink machines such as vending and coffee machines will increase productivity. It will also give your staff their much needed caffeine hit! Filling the spaces can also be tricky when planning an office fit out, so adding small things like beanbags and sofas can keep the budget low, but add colour and populate the area. Partitioning is also important, read why here in a previous blog of ours.

Contact Us

If you would like more information on why social spaces are so important then head over to our contact page on our website to speak to a member of our team. Additionally, if you would like to talk to us over the phone then please call 01494 506 385 or email us on hello@fitout.finance. You can also see more over on our LinkedIn page.

Why are office refurbishments so important?

Why are office refurbishments so important?

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Why are office refurbishments so important?

Office refurbishments are so important when it comes to furniture and fit out leasing. This is because of the importance of what a workplace means for a business. Here at Fit Out Finance, we recognise how integral an office refurbishment can be.  It’s the first thing that clients will take note of when walking into the room. This is critical as it allows them to leave with the first impression you wanted to push. If this impression reflects your brand, looks smart, successful and vibrant it will be easier to persuade the client to work with you. This in turn will lead to more sales, leading to a larger cash flow, which is ideal for any company!

Not only can a refurbishment help with the impression you make upon clients, but it can help your team also. A workspace is a place that employees will spend a significant amount of their time, with the majority spending 35hours+ a week in the office. And this is the primary reason that a harmonious work environment is crucial. When an office gets a fresh lick of paint, you might be surprised in the surge of employee productivity and morale.

It isn’t always necessary to do a large refurbishment like this, but depending on the size of your business, you know what’s best. It also doesn’t happen very often, so making sure you get it right is essential. This includes paying for it the right way too. More companies are now leasing their fit outs all whilst spreading the cost over 3-5 years. Some of the benefits to leasing are seen below.

Benefits of office refurbishment finance

  • Pay for the interior project over it’s useful life
  • Significant tax benefits
  • Do not compromise your office interior project due to budget constraints, as leasing makes monthly budgeting easier
  • Flexible rental terms over one to five years
  • Preserve existing lines of credit

Contact Us

If you would like more information on why office refurbishments are so important then head over to our contact page on our website to speak to a member of our team. Furthermore, if you would like to talk to us over the phone then please call 01494 506 385 or email hello@fitout.finance. We hope that throughout this blog, you have been able to learn a few key points to financing your furniture and fit-out projects. You can also see more over on our LinkedIn page.

Why partition walls can help your office space

Why partition walls can help your office space

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There are several reasons why partition walls can help your office space. Below are just a few reasons, however there are many more out there. Here at Fit Out Finance we don’t just provide finance options in the office furniture sector, but also in the restaurant, retail and warehouse sector too. However, we don’t stick to our sectors and can provide finance for most assets we get asked about. Therefore, if you have any questions about a finance need you may have, and it doesn’t fall within these sectors, then please still reach out and we will be more than happy to help.

Natural light

Glass partitions create natural light within the office. This creates a healthy working environment within the office. Instead of having dark partitions that can negatively affect the mood of employees, having more natural light will boost morale. This could lead to more business and better teamwork within the office, which is always a good thing! It can also help when looking at electricity and heating costs, as the added natural light and insulation will help keep your costs down. Again, lower costs are always good for your business!

Office design and layout

The design and layout of your business is extremely important. With partitions instead of permanent walls you can set out the plan of your office to exactly how you want it. The design and layout of your office can also be important to your clients. It will create a good impression as the first thing they see when they walk into your building.

Cost effective and ease

Partitions are much cheaper than permanent walls. Therefore, lowering the expenditures on your business without having to compromise on aesthetic. Not to mention, they are also much more flexible as they can be easily moved. When you want to change the layout of your office, it will be a much smoother and quicker process. This means the ease of the change is increased. Both your employees and your bank account will thank you!

Privacy

The privacy of having a partition is something that can be tailored to your company, depending on what you want. The partitions make it easier for noise pollution to be reduced as well as your employees to be more focused. However, they also provide transparency between the business, especially if you have glass partitions installed. The relationship between employers and employees will stay the same as you can still see each other, without the added impacts of noise. Again, if this doesn’t end up working for your business, they can be easily moved or removed.

Contact Us

If you would like more information on the above information on why partition walls can help your office space, then head over to our contact page on our website to speak to a member of our team. Additionally, if you would like to talk to us over the phone then please call 01494 506 385 or email hello@fitout.finance. You can also see more over on our LinkedIn page.

4 suggestions to enhance your office space

4 suggestions to enhance your office space!

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Below are 4 suggestions to enhance your office space!

Make your office more sustainable

Sustainability is at the forefront of everyone’s minds in the current world we live in. Here at Fit Out Finance we are proud to currently be a part of a green initiative through our trading company, WestWon. We plant a tree for every month of a lease agreement that we undertake with a client. Along with this, we also operate as a paperless office as well as having installed LED lighting in our office. Among these ideas that you could implement in your office to make it more sustainable, there are also a number of other things you could add. Adding plants and greenery, turning off the heating and lighting more often, measuring your waste and limiting single use plastic are all extra ways to make your office more sustainable.

Boardrooms vs breakout rooms

As the world moves on from the recent impacts of the pandemic, the way in which people work has changed drastically. Gone are the 5 day working weeks, with long hours in the office, tied to a desk. Although this may be still be the case for some companies, it is also proving essential to have areas that are the opposite. The idea of boardrooms vs breakout rooms will allow your staff to have a place to work hard. And a place to relax, which in turn has proven to have an increase in motivation.

Replace cabinet hardware and window treatments

Making sure your office is always kept up-to-date can sometimes be tricky. However, making sure that your office is safe for your staff is essential and should be the first thing you upgrade in your office if it needs changing. Here at Fit Out Finance, you can pay for your project over its useful life. This means you have more time to pay for it as you use it. You can therefore keep your staff safe all whilst keeping the cash flow of your business moving, and budgeting well.

Lease your furniture and fit out pieces

We may be a little biased as a furniture and fit out leasing company on this one! However, if you want an up to date office, then leasing is your best option. You can spread the cost of your fit out anywhere between 1 to 5 years. Your project can therefore be financed over a longer period of time than if you were to pay it all in one go. Also, the design of your office is constantly changing. Therefore, leasing the equipment instead of buying it will most likely make it easier for you to operate as a business in the long run. You can also preserve existing lines of credit, make monthly budgeting easier and there are significant tax benefits to you.

Extra tip – For other businesses improve all aspects within your sector

Here at Fit Out Finance we can provide finance for a range of sectors. These include office refurbishments, restaurants, warehouses and retail. If you are part of any of these sectors, we can help provide finance for a range of assets or loans. However, the help doesn’t stop there. We can also provide finance for mostly any sector or industry. So, if you have a finance need, and don’t see it advertised on our website, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We may still be able to help you! Furniture and fit out improvements also apply to all sectors which is why they need updating year in year out. It is never too early or late to start leasing for your business, whatever it may be.

Contact Us

If you would like more information on the above 4 suggestions to enhance your office space then head over to our contact page on our website to speak to a member of our team. Additionally, if you would like to talk to us over the phone then please call 01494 506 385 or email hello@fitout.finance. You can also see more over on our LinkedIn page.

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