Office Fit-Out Schedule of Works: What to Expect

As fellow business owners, we understand just how crucial it is to keep your operations running smoothly, particularly during an office fit-out project. That’s why we create a comprehensive fit-out schedule of works to ensure your project stays on track and minimises any disruption to your day-to-day business.

New to the fit-out process and unsure about timescales? In this blog, we’ll be diving into what a fit-out schedule of works is, why we use it, and what it includes so that you can start your fit-out journey with more confidence and clearer expectations.

What is an Office Fit-Out Schedule of Works?

To keep things organised during a fit-out project, proper planning is essential. And that’s exactly what an office fit-out schedule of works is for.

A Schedule of Works is a handy shared document that lists all the tasks, timelines, and responsibilities needed to complete an office fit-out project. It usually contains each step of the fit-out process, outlining details such as removal of old fittings, installation of partitions, electrical work, decoration, and furniture fitting, with start and end dates for each activity and who is responsible.

To make sure everything runs smoothly, the fit-out schedule will include all tasks in an intuitive order and will take into account any site restrictions or lead times for materials. This helps to ensure that everyone in the team knows exactly what’s happening and when.

Although other companies may do things differently, the schedule is normally formatted as a Gantt chart or timetable and is updated as the project progresses. 

How Long Does an Office Fit-Out Take?

It probably won’t surprise you to hear that every fit-out project has its own unique timeline. Things like the size of your space, the existing electrical and plumbing setup, any material requirements, and even whether you need to use the building during the work all influence the schedule.

But to give you a rough idea based on some of our past projects, a medium fit-out can take anywhere between six to eight weeks (like our own company fit-out and our Cat B fit out for COWI), while larger projects can take between ten to sixteen weeks to complete (like this warehouse fit-out for our confidential client).

If you only need a small area of the building to be fitted out, we may be able to finish your project in a shorter timeframe. However, since fit-outs differ from office refurbishments in that they require everything to be done from scratch, they often take a little longer. 

Fit-Out Project Timescales: Key Factors to Consider

As we’ve already mentioned, there are many factors that can influence how long your fit-out takes. 

Let’s take a look at some of these in a bit more detail: 

• The size of your space: This is probably the most obvious and determinative factor when it comes to your schedule duration. Larger spaces almost always require more work. For example, fitting out a small retail unit might take a few weeks, while a multi-floor office building could require several months. The overall square footage, number of rooms, and complexity of the layout all play a role in determining the timeline.

• Type of fit-out: The type of fit-out makes a huge difference, too. A full Cat A project with raised floors, new M&E, and modern facilities adds far more time than a Cat B refresh of paint, carpet, and simple partitions.

• The complexity of your design: Adding intricate detailing, biophilic walls, and bespoke panelling? Of course, it’s all well worth it for a showstopping result. Just keep in mind that the more unique your design features are, the more time your project may need to bring every detail to life.

• The areas included: Likewise, the more zones or rooms you have, the more work there is to complete. If you need full kitchens and shower areas, remember that they require things like plumbing, tiling, and specialist ventilation, plus additional appliances. 

• Your project budget: While it’s absolutely possible to create an impressive space on a modest budget, your budget will always somewhat influence the pace and scale of your fit-out. A tighter budget might mean a more phased approach, which can stretch the timeline.
• The existing site conditions: The state of your building before work begins can also have a big impact. If it’s a blank canvas in good condition, things can get moving relatively quickly. But if there are structural issues, outdated systems, or previous works to undo, our team may need to spend more time getting things up to standard before the real transformation begins.
• IT & technology: Finally, modern workplaces rely heavily on tech, especially as many offices now offer flexible working, which can involve connecting with employees who are working from home. Features like servers, AV equipment, access control, and high-speed connectivity often require coordination with specialist suppliers and can’t always be installed until other elements are complete. If your project involves significant tech infrastructure, it’s best to factor in extra time for design, installation, and testing.

At McFeggan Brown, we consider all the above factors when creating your project plan and Schedule of Works. This allows us to give you a more accurate quote and respond flexibly to real-time progress, knowing we have every detail covered.

Stay on Schedule with McFeggan Brown

After a reliable UK fit-out company with a track record of timely delivery? Reach out to us at McFeggan Brown. Our passionate team work tirelessly to ensure every project goes without a hitch, giving you a quality result you can count on from a team that values your time as much as you do.