Decide what your office needs to do
Begin with occupancy and activity. How many people need desks at the same time? Will the office host meetings, visitors or confidential conversations? A unit used for short site briefings has a different brief from a workplace occupied for a full working day.
List the furniture and equipment before deciding the layout. Include storage, printers and any meeting area, while leaving comfortable circulation. If staff need welfare facilities, discuss those requirements explicitly; an office layout should not be assumed to include toilets or a kitchenette.
Plan a layout that balances focus and communication
Open working areas can make collaboration straightforward, but calls and concentrated tasks may benefit from separation. Consider acoustic needs and the position of doors, partitions and glazing. Privacy matters when work involves employee, customer or project information.
Accessibility belongs in the initial brief. Explain the needs of staff and visitors, including the route from the site entrance, changes of level and internal movement. Ask for project-specific advice where necessary rather than selecting access arrangements only after the building is ordered.
Comfort, daylight and ventilation for occupied offices
Office comfort involves more than fitting a heater. Think about the interaction between insulation, glazing, heating, ventilation and the internal heat produced by people and equipment. Seasonal conditions should inform the specification, particularly where glazing faces strong sunlight.
HSE guidance emphasises balancing fresh air with reasonable workplace temperatures. The appropriate arrangement depends on the space and activity. Discuss whether natural or mechanical ventilation is appropriate and how it will be maintained, rather than relying on fans as a substitute for fresh air.
Power, data and practical working details
Prepare an equipment schedule covering computers, monitors, printers and any specialist devices. Socket positions should suit desk layouts and reduce the need for trailing leads. Consider lighting for both general movement and screen-based tasks.
Internet connectivity can be as important as electrical supply. Explain whether the office will connect to an existing network or use a separate service. Clarify the boundary between the building fit-out and site connections, including who arranges testing and any work by qualified contractors.
Site offices: access, surroundings and permissions
A construction or industrial site can bring additional concerns such as vehicle movements, noise and a changing site layout. Consider safe pedestrian routes, the location of the office entrance and any security requirements. The site’s operating arrangements should inform the brief.
Installation needs a suitable support arrangement and a checked delivery route. Confirm planning and building control requirements rather than assuming a site office is exempt because its intended use is temporary. Agree any approvals and specialist design responsibilities before committing to an order.
Compare office specifications and quotations
Two office units with the same external footprint may offer different internal space, thermal performance and services. Compare the proposed wall and floor build-up, openings, partitions and internal finishes as well as price. Ask what maintenance information and documentation will accompany the agreed work.
An initial RDB brief should include your postcode, intended occupancy, required layout, available services and preferred programme. Request a clear breakdown of the building, site preparation, delivery, installation and VAT so responsibilities and exclusions are visible.
YOUR RDB PROJECT BRIEF
What to send us
- Occupancy, working hours and meeting requirements
- Desk plan, storage, power and data requirements
- Staff and visitor access needs
- Site constraints, available utilities and target date
RDB is based at Unit 1, Newlands Farm, Newlands Lane, Curdworth, Sutton Coldfield B76 0BE. Share your project location so access, delivery arrangements and scope can be discussed before a quotation is agreed.
Prepare your enquiry ↗OFFICES QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a site office and a garden office?+
The terms describe different uses and settings. Occupancy, workplace requirements, site conditions and permissions should guide the specification rather than the label alone.
Are toilets included?+
Do not assume they are. Include any welfare, water and drainage requirements in the brief and confirm what the quotation covers.
Can an office be added beside my existing premises?+
Potentially, subject to site suitability, permissions, access and the proposed specification. Share your postcode, available footprint and intended use to begin the assessment.
Can a modular office include a meeting room?+
Include meetings, private calls and storage in your layout brief. Partitions, acoustics, circulation and the available footprint need to be discussed before the specification is agreed.
What information helps plan an office delivery?+
Send the site postcode and access photographs, with details of ground conditions, restrictions and unloading space. The delivery method needs an individual assessment.
How should I plan fresh air and heating?+
Consider occupancy, working hours, insulation and glazing together. Ventilation and temperature control should suit the intended workplace rather than being selected in isolation.
Further reading
These resources explain general requirements. Confirm the rules for your UK nation, site and intended use with the relevant authority. Specific design, approvals and installation responsibilities need to be agreed for your project.