Relocating or renovating: what does your company need?

Do you have more staff than workspaces? Is your infrastructure stuck in the 1980s? Or have you expanded into a new region with your operations? Then it’s time for a reorganisation. But will you relocate or renovate? Meliopus is here to help you get started.

When is a reorganisation of your office environment necessary?

Businesses are constantly evolving. Employees come and go, processes are updated, workflows become more efficient, you integrate more digitalisation in the workplace, the expectations of your staff and visitors change, you implement rebranding… These are all reasons to adapt your office space to the new situation. An optimised work environment leads to maximum productivity — something we at Meliopus have known for a long time.

What to consider when choosing between a renovation or a relocation?

Maybe you can upgrade your existing office, but sometimes moving to a new location is a better choice. How do you know what to do?

Consider these tips in your decision:

• Do you have too little space for your current staff? Then a new, larger location might be wise—unless you are fully committed to activity-based flexible workspaces, like us. But keep in mind, this requires a significant mindset shift and necessary structural adjustments.

• Are the costs of an intensive renovation threatening to skyrocket? Explore the option of relocation. Starting from scratch can sometimes be more time- and cost-efficient than a complete makeover.
  
• Consider the impact of a renovation on your own operations. You might be able to temporarily relocate during the work or stay in your old building while setting up your new workspace. This requires careful phasing of renovation work and preparing and supporting your staff through the process.

• Consult your staff and involve them in the decision. By guiding them through the change process, you create an ideal, sustainable workplace where everyone can work efficiently and happily.

• Gather essential data to support your choice. Does most of your staff work from home, or do they need a fixed workspace at the office? How often are video meetings held, and is the required infrastructure available? How many meeting rooms are needed, and how large should they be? Conducting a thorough workplace analysis or facility study will give you a clear view of the needs.

Also, keep these factors in mind: Are you very satisfied with your current location? Do you have a good deal on your lease? Do your company and team have the flexibility to adapt and handle changes? Engage an expert like Meliopus, who can help answer all your questions. For example, we conducted a similar stay-or-leave study for BMW. Let us inspire you.

Is moving more expensive than renovating?

This question doesn’t have a simple yes or no answer. As mentioned earlier, starting fresh can sometimes be more cost-effective than reorganizing everything. Renovation costs can escalate quickly, especially when there’s extensive work to be done. Consider what is most advantageous in the long term, including rent, potential downtime, moving expenses, renovations, and repairs.

A comprehensive workplace analysis will help prioritise the most important changes for your company and employees, giving you a clear picture of expected returns in the short and long term.

An office that’s too big or too small: what are the options?

If you have extra space in your office building, consider renting out part of it. This not only creates exciting collaboration opportunities but also offers financial benefits.

Is your office too small? Then consider activity-based flexible working, external co-working solutions, or planning a new, more logical office layout.

What are the disadvantages of renovating?

• You may find it difficult to fully realise all your design and layout aspirations within your current location.
• Operations can be significantly disrupted by the renovation work.
• Unforeseen costs often arise, forcing you to repeatedly revise your plans.

What are the disadvantages of relocating?

• You may lose employees if the new location is inconvenient for them.
• Adjusting to a brand-new workplace can be challenging.
• The new address brings additional administrative burdens.

Conclusion

The choice to renovate or relocate your office space is not a decision to be taken lightly. Your decision will depend on your budget, the scale of necessary changes, and your employees’ preferences.

Meliopus specialises in solving these challenges. From defining a strategy to providing safe guidance throughout the transition process, our experts are here to support you.