Commercial Property Renovations: Boosting Workplace Value

Today, a visually pleasing, comfortable workplace means higher productivity. 

According to a study by the University of Oxford, happy workers are 13% more productive. A 2024 study from the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that environmental factors such as temperature, noise, workstation furniture, and aesthetics were the most significant predictors of perceived work performance, finding a positive relationship between a lovely workplace and the amount of good work being produced.

The well-designed, modern commercial property can be more than just a workplace. It can be a reflection of a brand, a driver of increased productivity, and a space that makes a lasting impression on visiting clients. For many businesses across the UK, investing in renovations to improve the look and feel of a commercial space can be the key to staying competitive.

Are you curious about why investing in renovations can boost workplace value? Read on to find out more.

Why Businesses Invest in Renovations

You might often see larger businesses renovate their commercial spaces every few years. It’s one of the reasons why they are able to stay competitive within an ever-changing marketplace. This goes for every type of business, from tech suppliers to retail to technical services. 

So why invest?

Updating your commercial space through renovations brings a wide range of benefits, such as:

• Modernising a space to maximise potential: You can breathe new life into your commercial space through renovation and refurbishment. Updating and modernising interiors, improving functionality, creating a more inviting space - these benefits are experienced by employees and customers alike.

• Improved productivity: As we said in this article’s introduction, happy workers are 13% more productive than discontent counterparts. 13% is a huge advantage for businesses today. 
  
  
• Enhanced brand image: Today, clients and employees often expect a nice space to do business in. For employees, a comfortable and modern space increases loyalty and retention. For clients, a good first impression can ensure they do business with you.
  
  
• Compliance and safety: Aligning your workplace with commercial building regulations is important for retaining compliance and safety. For example, a commercial building design must align with:

• The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
  
  
• The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
  
  
• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
  
  
• The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

• Long-term savings: Commercial renovations lessen the risk of non-compliance, low employee retention, and low productivity, meaning they might help you save money in the long term.
  
  

What Commercial Renovation Services are Available?

If you’re in search of commercial renovations, you’re in luck. There are many commercial renovation contractors available to improve your space today. So what kind of services do they offer?

The right commercial renovations contractor will offer services for:

• New commercial builds
• Commercial renovations and refurbishments
• Office space and retail fit-outs
• Preventative maintenance
• Reactive maintenance and repairs
• Rental property maintenance contracts

You can explore what these services look like in-depth here.

You might be saying to yourself, “My commercial space is outdated. It no longer meets the current needs of my business.” This is a common circumstance that businesses can find themselves in, but when working with the right commercial renovations contractor, it is easily rectified. 

The right contractor will offer a streamlined renovation process, minimising the disruption to your day-to-day work while maximising the impact of your investment. They can help you through solutions such as:

• Electrical and plumbing upgrades
• Roofing, cladding, and structural work
• Interior refurbishments and fit-outs
• Groundworks and external landscaping
• Energy-efficient solutions like LED lighting and insulation
  
  

Now and in the future, businesses are increasingly prioritising eco-friendly and sustainable improvements. According to the Harvard Business Review, 68% of customers want to buy from purpose-driven brands. A 2023 study found that 61% of UK consumers stated sustainability was important to them in comparison to previous years.

This move towards sustainability can be easily reflected within commercial renovations. For example, the right contractor will be able to source well-made, long-lasting, sustainable materials that result in less need for replacement and less waste. They will also be able to install energy-efficient electrical systems, helping companies to reduce their carbon footprint, which today is a heavily marketable offering.

Not only is this better for UK and global environment, but it can also reduce long-term operational costs for a business.

A Real-Life Example: Transforming a Commercial Community Space

In Clitheroe stands St. James’ Church, a grade-II listed building built between 1839 and 1842. It’s a lovely community building built in neo-Norman style, featuring roughcast walls with smooth-rendered architraves and hammer-dressed quoins and buttresses. But it faced a number of challenges:

• Deteriorating Paved Area: The large paved area in front of and beside the church was crumbling, posing a safety hazard.
• Accessibility Issues: The existing steps were difficult for people with mobility issues to navigate.
• Acoustic Issues: The internal room was echoing and noisy, making it difficult for children attending classes.
  
  

Through our commercial renovation expertise, we were able to address these problems. We improved the paved area, replacing old flags with more durable ones, and rebuilt the steps from blockwork. 

We also improved the accessibility and safety features, creating wheelchair ramps and installing handrails, amongst other additions. Finally, we completely updated the existing interior room for improved acoustics, by reboarding, skimming, painting, and decorating, then installing acoustic clouds to reduce echoing. 

The result? Improved accessibility, safety, and ease of use. A building for the community, improved with solutions that had the community in mind. 

Explore this project in more detail here.

How to Get Started On Your Commercial Renovations

A commercial renovation is an investment in your people, your clients, and your future.

If you’re considering a commercial renovation, your first step is choosing a contractor you can trust to deliver quality and efficiency. Whether you’re upgrading offices, retail units, or other commercial spaces, we’re here to help.

With 25+ years of experience and a 30+ strong, qualified team, D. Blackburn Contractors has the expertise to transform your properties.

Get in touch with us today to find out more or book a consultation.

Explore our project gallery here.