What is an Office Refurbishment Specification?

A "Specification" document details the required standard and quality of a product, design or finish for a forthcoming fit out or installation project.

Why You Need One

Writing a detailed specification for any project is crucial for its success. The specification document will set out your terms and conditions including:

• Quality and style of products and finishes required
• Specific product needs
• Establish fixed project milestones and ensuring furniture products or equipment are ordered well in advance

Tip: When writing your specification, it’s important to be specific with your requirements. This will avoid varible submissions with different products and finishes and ensure you can complete a fair ‘like for like’ evaluation process.

Where do you start?

When you write your specification, there is general process and logical order which most people follow to ensure all important factors are covered within your document, this will help avoid your inbox filling up with a number of questions or clarification requests.

Key details which should be included are:

• Your company details
• The location of the project
• Clear details regarding access arrangements
• What you would like to achieve
• Minimum accreditation, certification and associations requirements i.e ISO Quality Management, CHAS Health & Safety, CSCS cards etc
• Environmental considerations
• Your budget
• Staged or completion deadlines
• Your evaluation process – are you looking for best value or the cheapest solution?

Why Do You Need An Office Fit Out or Furniture Refurbishment?

Is your business expanding? Are you moving office? Or are you rebranding your business?

Whatever the reason for your office furniture refurbishment or interiors fit out, ensure you explain WHY in your specificaton, this will help prospective vendors to fully understand your project and business requirements.

Do your homework

We think it’s a good idea to research ideas and trends for your new workspace. This will help you make an informed decision and allow you to be specific with the requirements that suits your business, your team and budgetary restrictions.

Timescales

It’s a good idea to clearly state the tender deadline for all proposals within your specification, detail how long you need to evaluate the response, when you will appoint your workspace partner and when you will be placing the official purchase order for goods (allowing for manufacturers lead times and seasonal busy periods).

Tip: It’s a really good idea to make a short list of all your specification submissions and to visit their showrooms or refurbishment projects they have completed. This will give you a good idea who you are working with, what products they can supply and the quality of their finish.

We hope our guide helps with your specification needs and makes your selection process structured and seamless. If you would to discuss your workplace refurbishment or interior fit out project in more details please get in touch; we are happy to provide additional help and advice including space planning, workplace consultations and site surveys.

Tags: Office Refurbishment, Office Fit-out, Interior Refurbishment, Workspace Refurbishment, Installation, Interiors, Office Furniture