Refurbish or relocate? Our updated advice on what to consider

The question of whether to refurbish or relocate your office is one every organisation will face and shouldn’t be a cause for concern. It is vital for long-term business growth and is a normal part of the workplace lifecycle, especially with the many changes to workplace expectations since the pandemic. As businesses grow, they need more space for new employees. Brands evolve over time, requiring different spaces to meet their needs.

However, deciding whether to refurbish or relocate your office isn’t just about team expansion. It’s about creating a space that continuously supports business success and employee wellbeing. A well-designed office enhances productivity, collaboration, and company culture, making it vital for long-term success.

Simply put, you need to weigh up whether your existing space can be updated to meet your needs, and if not, find a suitable new premise which does. Below, our experts at DENTON share some of the benefits of each approach and present some key factors you should consider when making this decision.  

Contents:
1. Benefits of an office refurbishment
2. Benefits of relocating your office
3. Key considerations
4. Example problems and solutions
5. Now you’ve decided, what’s next?

Benefits of an office refurbishment

Updating your current space is a great way to breathe new life into a brand and implement new technologies and ways of working, ultimately improving workplace efficiency. Here are some of the other significant benefits of an office refurb compared to a relocation.

• Cheaper than relocating – Not only can there be hefty legal fees involved in relocating, but you also won’t have any need for removals. There is often a need for an entire office fit-out in your new location, which drives costs higher. Be sure to check your current lease before deciding, as you may also require a CAT A fit-out for your existing workplace when you leave.
  
  
• Familiarity and continuity – A location can sometimes be synonymous with a brand in the eyes of staff, clients, and customers. Opting for a refurbishment can also reduce the time you cannot operate, as you can often refurbish your space in stages.
  
  
• Opportunity for change – Refurbishing your office allows you to re-evaluate how your space works for you from the ground up. Will small tweaks to office layouts and technologies suffice? Or do you require a new agile working office environment to allow for hybrid working? A refurb is the perfect time to implement changes to all areas of the business, from cultural changes to environmental strategies. Consider a Cut & Carve Refurbishment if you’re looking for a bigger change and impact.
  
  
• Sustainability considerations – Refurbishing your office can sometimes be a more sustainable choice compared to relocating. By updating your existing space, you minimise the environmental impact associated with moving, such as transportation emissions. It also allows you to repurpose materials, reduce waste, and make use of existing infrastructure.

Benefits of relocating your office

Who wouldn’t love a brand-new office in a fresh new location? And it isn’t just the desire for something new. There are multiple benefits that come from choosing to go rather than stay somewhere, which isn’t quite suitable.

• Fit for purpose – Allows you to have exactly the room you need for the here and now, whether that be room to grow or downsize and better utilise the space. This leads to a more future-proof business allowing for long-term gains.
  
  
• Brand Refresh – A new office in a new location creates an entirely new atmosphere with different lighting, different scenery, and new neighbours. It can breathe new life into a brand and present your story as you are now.
  
  
• Choose the right location – Where you choose to relocate also impacts the benefits. You may be able to get a cheaper lease reducing your overhead costs, or maybe you are struggling with staff acquisition and need a more accessible location with better amenities for a better work-life balance. Just be aware the opposite is also true here as relocating can lead to high rates of staff resignations.
  
  
• Opportunity for change – The same is true as we have said above for refurbishments. Both are great opportunities to implement the changes you want to see moving forward and can lead to huge long-term growth.
  
  
• Designing for growth and sustainability – Relocating to a new office can be a more sustainable long-term option because it offers the opportunity to design a space that can grow and adapt with your business needs. Rather than making temporary fixes to an outdated or rigid space, a thoughtfully designed office allows for flexible layouts, making it easier to accommodate future changes like increasing staff or adopting new work models. This reduces the need for future moves or further resource-intensive renovations maximising your ROI and ultimately supporting a more responsible approach to managing your business’s evolving needs.

Key considerations

When deciding whether to relocate or refurbish your office, we advise weighing up all your options, considering the benefits of each approach, and trying to answer the following questions. As a result, your decision will be based on the needs of your business, and a clear answer should emerge.

• Are you and your staff happy with your current location?
  • If yes, then refurbishment is best to maintain convenience for commuting staff.
    
    
• Have you recently rebranded or had a brand refresh?
  • If yes, a brand refresh often calls for a new environment that reflects your updated identity.
    
    
• How long is left on your current lease, and are you happy with the deal?
  • If you have a long-term lease and are happy with the terms, refurbishing your office can be more cost-effective than moving.
    
    
  • If you’re nearing the end of your lease or the deal no longer works for your business, relocation may be the right choice to take advantage of better terms and a more suitable space.
    
    
• Are you trying to create a new work culture?
  • If yes, relocation is best to create the opportunity to create a work environment to align with a new company culture.
    
    
• Do you need more space as your business grows?
  • If yes and your business has outgrown your current space, relocation provides the opportunity to move to a larger, more suitable space for expansion.
    
    
• Have you recently implemented a hybrid office, agile working or hot-desking?
  
  • If you’ve already implemented new work models such as hybrid working or hot-desking, a refurbishment can be an excellent way to adjust your current space to support these models without the need for a full relocation.
    
    
• What are the benefits of the proposed new location, and does it present new opportunities for growth?
  • If the new location offers advantages such as better access to clients, a more desirable neighbourhood, or cost savings, it may present an opportunity for growth that your current location can’t provide.
    
    
• Has there been a significant business change, like a merger with another brand?
  
  • If yes, relocating to a new office that accommodates the combined workforce and reflects the new business identity could be the best choice.
    
    
• Have you been tasked with reducing overhead costs?
  • Relocating to a less expensive area or a more efficient office can help reduce overhead costs, especially if you are able to secure better lease terms, lower utilities, or a more cost-effective location overall.
    
    
• Have you implemented a new technology which has improved efficiency or changed workflows?
  • A refurbishment allows us to adapt your existing environment to better support your new tools and processes, making the most out of what you already have without the need for relocation.
    
    
• Are you having difficulties with staff acquisition and retention?
  • Relocating to a more accessible or desirable area with better amenities can attract talent, while refurbishing your current space to create a more modern and flexible environment can improve employee satisfaction and retention.

Example problems and solutions

Our business has grown rapidly, and we need more space!

Have you seen major growth and need to expand? The most straightforward answer is sometimes the best, and relocating is often the answer here unless there are spaces nearby you can expand into. There are, however, ways to adapt your business to a space to allow for a larger workforce. For example, implementing hybrid working alongside hot-desking allows staff to work from home, freeing up valuable real estate. It is important to consider whether this is the right option for your organisation and whether it will allow for further growth in the existing space or will still require a relocation.

We are using our office less. How can we reduce costs?

Since the pandemic, hybrid working has been implemented in many offices worldwide, and at times this has led to a reduced occupancy rate and wasted space. For anyone in this situation, it may seem an obvious choice to relocate to a new premises. It is key to note, however, that there are sometimes large fees, so we recommend conducting a cost-benefit analysis focusing on the requirements of your business. Rather than relocating, have you tried discussing options with your current lease holder? 

We need a complete brand refresh!

In these circumstances, it will depend on why you are looking for a brand refresh, as well as how ingrained your current location is in your brand. If the size of the space itself still works, a refurbishment offers operational benefits and is often cheaper and can provide the same results. If ensuring your refurbished space has a new atmosphere and doesn’t feel like the same space is your top priority, consult our office design and build experts, who can offer invaluable advice and experience.

If you are looking to refresh your brand after a recent merger or acquisition, you may need to opt for relocation to house a new cohort of staff. Alternatively, consider implementing new work methods to reduce office occupancy, like hybrid work schemes.

Our employees find the office environment overwhelming – What can we do? 

If your employees are finding the office environment overwhelming, adding wellness rooms and thoughtful design elements that cater to neurodiverse needs can significantly improve the workspace. Wellness rooms provide quiet, calming spaces where employees can take breaks to reduce stress and re-energise. Incorporating design elements such as sensory-friendly areas, acoustic considerations, and flexible workstations can also make the office space more inclusive for neurodiverse employees, allowing them to work comfortably and productively.

This would likely require a relocation unless there is room to grow into in your current location. If your existing office can’t accommodate these changes, relocating to a more flexible space may be necessary to create an environment that supports the needs of all employees.

Now you’ve decided, what’s next?

Whether you’ve chosen an office refurbishment or office relocation, DENTON are here to help! Our leading design and build experts work collaboratively with you to understand what you want to achieve from your space and what your company culture is like to present solutions which work best for you and your staff.

Drop our friendly, experienced team a line today and let us help you breathe new life into your existing space or create the ideal new office in your new location.