Dealing with office reinstatement is no joke, especially if the lease is about to expire and you have a limited amount of time to complete everything.

Usually, you will come under a contractual obligation to return the commercial property to its original state. The longer you’ve been occupying it as an office or a retail space, however, the higher the likelihood of having carried out some modifications.

Choosing a commercial interior design and renovation company to handle office reinstatement on your behalf is a good idea, especially if you want to adhere to regulatory requirements and complete the process quickly. Here’s how to select the right service provider, as well as a few additional tips for a quick and optimal reinstatement.

What Does Office Reinstatement Entail?

Office reinstatement doesn’t entail just adding a fresh coat of paint to make the premise look the way it did before your occupancy.

There will be various processes to complete, depending on the specific modifications you carried out. To sum it up, anything you’ve added has to be removed and anything you’ve taken out will need to be brought back.

Some of the most common procedures under the reinstatement clause of a lease may include the following:

• The removal of cubicles, workstations and temporary partitions
• The removal of fixed cabinets, furniture and shelving
• Removal of floor finishes
• The removal of mechanical and/or electrical components you have introduced
• The installation of the original curtains, blinds or other kinds of window treatments
• Carpet removal
• Repainting
• Hacking of walls
• Repairs and/or replacements of original fixings that could have malfunctioned

As you can see, there’s quite a lot to do before moving on to your company’s brand new venue in Singapore. Whether you’ve decided to move to a bigger space or downsize, you will now have to handle some or all of the tasks mentioned above.

Keep in mind that the landlord will usually carry out a thorough inspection after the reinstatement has been completed. Taking the reinstatement seriously will have a positive effect on your reputation. In fact, it could open up some brand new opportunities for commercial leases in the future.

Selecting the Best Office Reinstatement Partner

Office reinstatement isn’t just a regular type of renovation.

There are specific guidelines and standards to follow for the execution of the work. It’s best to actually have a plan created by a professional. Such a document will outline the work that needs to be done and the time-frame for completion. This way, all tasks can be handled swiftly and without the risk of costly errors.

Do you have a short amount of time until the end of the lease? If so, do put your effort in the selection of a high quality office reinstatement partner.

The right company should have sufficient experience in the execution of such projects. Not only should they be capable of coming up with a comprehensive strategic plan, it’s also a good idea for professionals to oversee the execution.

Companies that have been operating in the field for long enough also have an extensive professional network. They know reputable contractors and construction teams that can handle any kind of job, regardless of the scope and complexity. Thus, once you hire such professionals, you can rest assured that all of the reinstatement tasks will be dealt with expertly on your behalf.

The best approach towards the completion of the reinstatement is systemic. It shouldn’t be perceived as just hacking a few walls and taking down the blinds. Multiple processes will need to be addressed at the same time. The more experience a company has such with such multi-component projects, the better the outcome is going to be.

A Few Additional Tips to Deal with the Reinstatement

The need for reinstatement services right now is very high.

As a result of Covid-19 measures, some businesses have decided to downgrade. Others are closing their commercial premises altogether and moving to a work-at-home model.

This is why you should not leave the reinstatement to the last minute. Chances are that reputable service providers are booked for months ahead. If you leave the selection of a capable crew to the end, you’ll simply have to hire the contractors who are available (without benefiting from any quality guarantees).

When doing the reinstatement, always prioritise the building plans. They are the ones that should be guiding all efforts and the documents to refer to when in doubt.

You may want to discuss the specifics of the reinstatement with the building manager and the landlord, as well. In fact, it’s a good idea for a representative of your office reinstatement company to meet with then. A quick brief will highlight all of the specifics that will have to be addressed and reduce the risk of errors or miscommunication.

And finally, understand the fact that reinstatement isn’t always set in stone. This is especially true for older buildings that have been occupied for a long period of time.

Some materials and finishes may no longer be available on the market. If this is the case, you’ll be responsible for suggesting an equivalent and getting the landlord’s approval before moving forward with the execution.

If you need help for the planning of an office reinstatement, Singapore Office & Retail Design Consultants is here for you. We understand lease obligations and the most common modifications tenants introduce to commercial premises. We also know what it takes to meet landlord requirements in a quick and consistent manner. Contact us today and let us know exactly what help you’re looking for.