The role of an interior fit out company is to make the interior spaces of a building ready for occupation. The work involves installation of ceilings, laying of floors, electrical fittings and accessories, plumbing, cabling, networking and internet connectivity. There are several fit out contractors in Dubai but how to choose the best one?
If you are looking for a good fit out contractor in Dubai, here are some tips:
1. Prepare a Plan
Before setting out to find a fit out contractor, you have to do your homework. The brief should contain all the details of number of staff, type of business, facilities required, timeline for execution and a preliminary budget.
2. Referrals and Research
Always do prior research on the top fit out contractors in the region. You may have to do online research or check with other companies who have undertaken such fit out work for interiors recently to get references. Client reviews help understand the quality of the services offered by the fit out company, their responsiveness, service level and delivery. This assessment should be done with two or three clients.
3. Onsite Visits and Office Visits
Once you short list certain fit out companies, you have to visit the recent projects undertaken by the fit out contractor. This will give an idea of the quality of their work and also get feedback from the clients. You may also visit their offices to learn more about their company. How well are they organised? Is the office design good enough and are the employees working as a team and enthusiastic about undertaking new projects.
4. Project Proposal
Based on the initial discussions with the fit out contractors, they should be asked to submit project proposals detailing the costs and time line for completion. Once they submit the proposals, they have to be evaluated on their understanding of the requirements, specification of works, cost breakup, terms and conditions such as insurance, liabilities and payment terms. Ask specific questions regarding execution of the project. Do they have a single person to contact for all the requirements? Do they have experienced people to handle critical works and do they have the regulatory approvals for undertaking fit out work?
5. Selection
The short listing of a fit out contractor has to be done on the basis of cumulative assessments. Even as cost and time considerations are important from your point of view, hiring the best contractor should be the main criterion rather than just costs and deadlines. Some contractors may quote unrealistic time or lower estimates to grab the contract. Hence, importance should be given to quality of work, understanding of client requirements and quality of workforce.
6. Signing of Contract
You must put all the possible conditions for the execution of work in the contract to avoid disputes or arguments later on. Now with focus on sustainable buildings, the fit out contract should also ensure ‘green compliance’ in choice of materials and technology. All the building codes of the local administration have to be complied with. Much will depend on the passion and commitment of the fit out contractor to make a success of your project. Since your interiors convey a lot about your business, vision and outlook to your clients, ensure that you get the best value for money for the fit out works you undertake.
If you are looking for a fit out contractor to undertake your project in Dubai, Capstone can provide all the support services and execute your projects on time.
