Office Fit Out Employer's Agent Services

Seeking to ensure the wider business growth strategy was supported by sufficient provision of high quality premises, apppropriate to meet both client and staff expectations of a leading national consultancy law practice, client sought to deliver an office fit out solution to exceed expectations. 

Navigating the Unknown in a Post Pandemic World

During the immediate post COVID-19 pandemic era, the rise of increased flexible working arrangements and the subsequent unknowns surrounding the future of office posed a series of uncomfortable, largely unanswerable, questions in the sphere of office fit out.

With many occupiers opting at the time to wait for the dust to settle on what might become of the office as we previously knew it, an opportunity presented itself to our client to act and realise their fit out aspirations. A bold vision was portrayed and the challenge laid.

From Blank Canvas to a Solution Fit for All

The unencumbered, open plan, office space affording panoramic views across central Birmingham presented a wealth of configuration and space use allocation options. Wishing to ensure that the then 'new world' requirements for office use might be accommodated, should such arise, client's brief directed that  a strong emphasis was to be had on both client facing and collaboration spaces.

Seeking to maximise staff satisfaction and retention, client sought to procure a fit out scheme of the highest quality and employing leading interior design practices. In the face of an unknown future for the working environment, an office to entice staff, new recruits and clients alike to utilise the space was envisaged.

In order to ensure the scheme could be progressed in a timely manner, whilst making the most of interior design expertise including existing third party bespoke joinery solutions, a design and build procurement route was employed. 

Working in Collaboration with the Fit Out Specialist Contractor

Providing Employer's Agent services, incorporating  Contract Administration input through the construction phase, Node Building Consultancy prepared the Employer's Requirements and wider tender documents before engaging with contractors.

Following contractor communications a preferred provider was soon identified and detailed design commenced. Through development of the design, in which all stakeholders were actively involved, a negotiated and later value engineered scheme and fixed price tender offer was arrived at and agreed.

Node Building Consultancy acted to formalise a standard form construction contract, also putting in place a schedule of contract amendments, collateral warranties and a pre works commencement schedule of condition. Through the construction phase services were provided under the umbrella of Contract Administration to monitor contract documentation adherence, quality and progress monitoring. Interim valuation applications were assessed and certified, variation orders issued and Practical Completion finally certified. 

Completion of the construction phase yielded the delivery of a fit out scheme that surpassed all expectations, setting a new bar for office fit out standards both with the wider building and across the client's estate. 

Creating a Destination Office Solution

Through collaboration with the fit out contractor, in close communication with client, a design solution was arrived at in good time. Working with both client and the contractor through the construction phase, sometimes adjusting solutions in realtime, the services provided by Node Building Consultancy both as Employer's Agent and Contract Administrator ensured client's interests with both professionally represented and protected. All requisite statutory approvals were obtained, building and operation manuals collated, with client taking occupation within the revised programme parameters.

Procuring these office fit out works in the immediate post pandemic period presented a number of supply chain and labour challenges, previously unforeseen. Adopting a collaborative, close working relationship between all parties served to ensure the successful delivery of the scheme in a reasonable timeframe. The construction project procurement experience and expertise that Node Building Consultancy brought to the management of project works implementation acted to give client great assurance, ultimately yielding the delivery of an exceptional office fit out.