How to avoid delays on your office renovation

With nearly 50 per cent of Singaporeans returning to the office full-time, now seems like the opportune moment to breathe new life into your workspace. After all, the benefits of a workspace revamp are manifold, including a boost in employee well-being, talent retention and collaboration. 

However, a workspace revamp is not without its challenges. The fast-paced nature of modern business often exerts pressure to expedite renovations, compelling teams to navigate tight deadlines. Renovations may also disrupt daily operations and affect productivity. What’s more, companies need to deftly manage construction and labour costs, especially in times of heightened demand for construction services.

Besides being inconvenient and costly, delays in renovations can hamper a company’s day-to-day operations and jeopardise the execution of long-term strategies. To mitigate such risks, it’s important to choose a renovation firm that is not just proficient in interior design and construction but also adept in the nuances of efficient project management.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PARTNER

According to Ms Race Wong of interior design firm DreamR, office renovation delays are often caused by inexperienced project managers and designers, who may have inadequate knowledge of construction detailing and office renovation by-laws.

Another contributing factor is the practice of contractors under-quoting clients to swiftly secure contracts without thoroughly validating renovation specifications. This leads to quotations that overlook essential items, resulting in deceptively lower costs that fail to capture the true scope of the project.

“These overlooked items are then covered by a variation order, which can add a substantial amount to the final bill,” noted Ms Wong. “This often results in an argument when clients point out that the items should have been part of the initial quotation, not costly add-ons.”  

She shared how DreamR once quoted S$220,000 for an office project, but the client chose to go with another renovation firm that quoted S$190,000.

“Six months later, the client told us that his total renovation cost turned out to be S$290,000, as the company had underquoted him to win the deal,” recounted Ms Wong.  “When owners choose a renovation firm based solely on the lowest pricing, they run the risk of spending more to make up for delays and issues.”

EFFECTIVE PROJECT MANAGEMENT BEGINS WITH ADEQUATE PREPARATION

The interior design arm of one-stop real estate platform Ohmyhome, DreamR takes pride in having a 100 per cent on-time completion rate. This achievement is anchored by a dynamic team of professional interior designers and seasoned project managers, with an illustrious portfolio that includes major corporate projects such as Google’s office in Singapore, the Qatar Airways Premium Lounge at Changi Airport’s Terminal 1, as well as F&B chains Baskin Robbins and Arabica.

The presence of a dedicated project manager makes all the difference, said Ms Wong. Ahead of any renovation project, DreamR’s project managers initiate discussions with designers and stakeholders, including the building’s management committee and government agencies like Urban Redevelopment Authority and National Environment Agency. This proactive approach ensures meticulous adherence to construction drawing standards and requirements well in advance.

“By doing this, we ensure that the project’s transition between stages is smoother, and we can boost the likelihood of achieving an earlier completion,” explained Ms Wong.

In maximising the prospects of on-time – or even early – completion, Ms Wong advises clients to clearly communicate expectations and to understand the renovation firm’s workflow. Additionally, clients should ask for 3D renders of proposed designs and seek daily or weekly updates throughout the construction period.

WORKING TOGETHER FOR TIMELY OUTCOMES

Mr Neil Fong, managing director at Burda Principal Investments, was impressed by how DreamR was able to wrap up his office’s renovation almost a month ahead of schedule, despite building restrictions that confined work to outside office hours.

“It was a fantastic experience working with the DreamR team,” he said. “They produced a very thoughtful and stylish design for our new office.”

DreamR’s proposal stood out for its winning combination of design and price point, as well as the company’s creative value engineering: When asked to purchase and add ready-built phone booths, DreamR’s team proposed building custom booths, a move that not only saved costs but also maximised the office’s spatial layout.

In addition, Burda’s employees were able to immediately begin work in a clean and comfortable environment post-handover, as DreamR helped to source for and install soft furnishings at the project’s conclusion.

Mr Jason Ye, managing partner of Ortoli Rosenstadt Ye, also lauded DreamR ’s innovative approach to design and its excellence in project management.

As Ortoli Rosenstadt Ye was taking over an existing office, DreamR recommended retaining and incorporating several original elements into the new design. This strategic approach not only contributed to environmental sustainability but also resulted in significant cost savings. Movable panels were  proposed for flexibility in meeting room sizes, further reducing the need for extensive rebuilding. 

Despite the fact that Mr Ye was travelling frequently between Singapore and the United States during the renovation period, the DreamR team was able to coordinate the project seamlessly and hand over the keys on time.

Said Mr Ye: “Their attention to detail and commitment to excellence made the entire renovation process stress-free. DreamR not only met but surpassed our vision, creating a dynamic and inspiring workspace.”

Learn more about transforming your office space with DreamR.