The Job We Always Talk About
When clients ask how we handle commercial fit-outs in occupied buildings, we always come back to the University of Westminster Faith Space we did in 2024.
We were building new prayer rooms in a basement area, which involved heavy structural work to create large penetrations in structural concrete walls for ductwork to pass through. Noisy, unavoidable stuff. The problem? We were on site during exam season.
The margin for error was zero. Any noise at the wrong moment could disrupt a student’s final exam. Every hour was mapped. Every phase of noisy work scheduled around the exam timetable.
We got it done. Nobody’s exam was disrupted. It looked straightforward from the outside. It wasn’t.
What Clients Almost Always Underestimate
Three things catch clients out time and again:
- Space. They think they’ve cleared enough room. They haven’t. Twelve inches to squeeze through isn’t a workable site.
- Noise. Screwing plasterboard into a metal stud is unremarkable to us. To someone trying to take a call two desks over, it isn’t.
- Their own people. Different people have different tolerances for work happening around them. These days, almost all the paint we use is water-based and non-toxic, yet we’ve still had staff complain about smells and fumes. It’s worth preparing your team for what to expect before work begins.
Dust is managed with sealed sheeting around the work area. Noisy work is scheduled for early mornings or Saturdays, before most office staff arrive. Anyone needing to enter the build zone gets a full site induction and PPE. Nobody just wanders through.
Don’t Just Go for the Cheapest Quote
If you’re getting quotes for an office fit-out in London while staying in occupation, read the small print carefully. The cheapest quote frequently assumes uninterrupted access. It assumes the floor will be empty. It won’t account for the extra management, phasing, or scheduling around your business.
“Don’t necessarily go for the cheapest quote. They might just assume everyone’s going to leave the building, and they’ll get on uninterrupted. Read the small print. We always take into account the need for working around people if that is likely to be the case and if not we always state: we’ve assumed uninterrupted access to the space.” – Dan, Co-founder
Find a partner who asks how your building actually works before they price the job. A phased approach may cost a little more. But it’ll get done, without stopping your business in its tracks.
Thinking about an office fit-out while your team stays put? Let’s talk. We’ve done this hundreds of times.
Your Questions Answered
Can you refurbish an office without moving out?
Yes, and it’s more common than you’d think. Most commercial fit-outs take place in buildings that remain occupied throughout. The key is phasing the work carefully around your business, keeping communication open, and choosing a fit-out partner with genuine experience of managing live environments.
How disruptive is an office fit-out in an occupied building?
There will be some disruption, but a well-run project minimises the impact significantly. Noisy work gets scheduled for early mornings or weekends, dust is contained, and a good site manager will keep your team informed every step of the way.
Do I need to tell my staff before the fit-out starts?
Absolutely. Brief your team on the timeline, what to expect each week, and who to contact if they have concerns. Your fit-out partner should help you do this.
How do I choose the right fit-out company for an occupied building?
Look for evidence of completed projects in occupied spaces, not just empty floors. Ask how they manage noise and dust, how their site managers communicate with building occupants, and how they will phase the work around your business. A company that’s done this before will have clear, confident answers.
