What makes an electrical fit-out project successful? There’s plenty of technical detail we could go into here but let’s start with a couple of fundamentals.
The first is about how we define ‘success.’ A fully compliant installation delivered on time and on budget should really be a given. So success means something more unique to each client and project.
If we don’t have the luxury of vacant premises to work with, success will include how effectively the works were planned and executed to minimise disruption – did the building’s users notice we were there?
Often there’s an immovable deadline by which a new facility must be up and running. Our work as electrical fit-out specialists is one work stream among many, with plenty of interdependencies.
In the real world our work frequently gets squeezed as soon as there are delays in planning, structural or enabling works. Being adaptable, and finding creative ways to overcome delays and keep to the deadline is arguably the most important success factor of all.
Specifications and Design
Similarly there are two ways of looking at the specification and design process. There are the mechanics of meticulously planning power distribution, cabling and component location to maximise efficiency. You’d expect us to be good at that.
There’s also the more important consideration of how occupants will use the premises. Here we draw on experience of tens or maybe even hundreds of similar projects to ask the ‘have you thought about…’ questions. This has to be blended with active listening and keeping an open mind – we can’t assume that the best solution this time is exactly what we did last time.
Value engineering also comes into it: not over-specifying components when more cost effective options would work just as well, while also considering reliability and ongoing maintenance costs.
Planning and Communication
The pre-installation phase creates the groundwork for a successful outcome. As well as familiarising ourselves with the site, our engineers will be building relationships with other contractors and stakeholders so we all understand each others’ requirements and constraints – especially those relating to health and safety compliance.
Because deadlines are critical we tend to start procurement early, especially where specialised equipment needs to be installed, where there might be issues with lead times.
After that, it’s all down to detailed project planning, execution, testing, commissioning and documentation. Remembering all the time that plans need the flexibility to adapt to real world events. The only milestone that can’t move is the handover to the client.
If you’re planning an electrical fit-out project for retail, office, industrial, education or healthcare premises, contact Source Electrical on 01934 352222