Post-pandemic with more firms looking to encourage staff to spend more time in the office coupled with more rigorous sustainability requirements the demand for premium office space is at an all-time high. So, finding a good fit out contractor in London you can trust to create the premium quality space that you desire isn’t always easy. Turnea’s experience working on and leading projects on building sites across London and overseas means that we know what good looks like and what warning signs you should be looking for.
How knowledgeable are they about construction?
Commercial fit out projects are fast track and involve disruption to your business operations. Therefore, having a knowledgeable fit out contractor who understands the build process is imperative. You and your leadership team need to have the confidence that they’re capable of delivering your project in the manner that’s been promised and that they know how to deal with unknowns as and when they arise. If they’re trying to baffle you with technical jargon rather than being clear and direct about what work they’re looking to do and how they WILL do it, you may be better off steering well clear of them.
Unusually low bids
If a bid comes in way less than others, please be wary. The costs of labour and materials are pretty consistent so there shouldn’t be a huge disparity between different fit out contractor quotes. We’ve found that if something is really low, and looks too good to be true, it probably is.
The low cost may result in a shoddy fit out by a contractor looking to save money wherever possible. Or the opposite, which may be even worse, where you are swamped by a constant stream of change orders and unforeseen costs for extras and things outside the scope to claw back the difference between themselves and their competitors.
Seeing previous work and speaking to clients
Don’t just take your proposed contractors’ word for it. Go and see some of their work and reach out directly to their clients to ask questions. Speak to them rather than rely solely on written references.
The types of questions you should be asking are:
- Did the contractor complete the project on time and on budget?
- Were there any major delays or unexpected costs?
- How would you rate the overall quality of the workmanship?
- How responsive and proactive was the contractor in communicating updates?
- Did they handle issues or changes professionally and transparently?
- Were there any hidden costs or contract surprises?
- Were there any major disputes, and if so, how were they resolved?
- Did they take accountability for any mistakes or defects?
- Did they provide good aftercare or fix any snags promptly?
- Would you hire them again or recommend them to others?
What is their project management process?
As fit out projects are fast turnaround – it’s important that you understand the process by which your project will be delivered. What’s expected when? When will you get your designs? At what stages will you see designs? How many weeks will demolition take? How long will your office be disrupted for? When are payments due? At Turnea, we have a 6 step process that is applicable to the projects we build.
Are they fully accredited and have the right insurance in place?
Ask for proof of their accreditations, relevant training courses, certifications and insurance. Take the time to check them thoroughly. You’re letting people into your place of work, make sure they have the right.
How easy are they to get in touch with?
We believe you can tell a lot about how serious a contractor is about your project from their initial responsiveness to you. Do they reply to your emails promptly? How easy is it for you to contact them? How approachable are they and do they answer the phone? These little things count and if they’re not easy to get hold of from the start – how will they be when they’re under the pressure of delivering your job? Remember that first impressions do count.
Is the contract clear, does it outline scope of works, timelines and payment terms?
We believe that clients deserve to have no surprises and one way that we achieve this is by having a clear contract that outlines what we will be doing in a detailed scope of works. We also include realistic timelines and identify any areas where we believe there are elements of unknowns.
Have you looked at their financial stability?
It’s a tough construction market out there, with high material costs and labour being hard to find; many contractors, even big ones, have hit troubles. According to research by The Insolvency Services 4000 construction firms went insolvent in 2024 – the most in any industry. Therefore, make sure you run a company credit check to see if they’re who they say they are, and their company is financially sound. There’s nothing more disruptive than having your fit out contract derailed due to your contractor going out of business.
Do they have in-house expertise or bank of suppliers they can call upon for specialist areas?
From furniture suppliers who we work with repeatedly to interior designers and architects who we’ve worked with across multiple projects, we believe in being open and transparent about how and who we work with It’s important for you as the client to understand what elements of a job will be carried out by your contractor and what will be subcontracted out.
In conclusion, selecting the right commercial office fit out contractor in London is vital as it can impact both the quality of your workspace and your business operations. By thoroughly vetting potential contractors using the criteria outlined above – from assessing their construction knowledge and transparency to verifying their financial stability and past project success, you’ll significantly reduce the risk of delays, budget overruns, and quality issues.
At Turnea, we understand the importance of creating premium office spaces that employees want to be in. Get in touch to discuss your next project.
