Reinventing a workplace means balancing the art of what’s possible, with the science of what’s practical. As the war for talent rages on, firms must provide more human-friendly work environments—while also confronting ever-increasing construction costs. Fortunately, workplace leaders can harness cost data to stay ahead on both fronts.

In 2018, the average cost of an office fit out grew by 12 percent. Rising prices for labor and materials are partly responsible for the upturn—but strong demand for new space also played a key role.

That’s because, despite cost constraints, many leading companies now see the workplace as a vital player in organizational success. They’ve seen that cookie-cutter style no longer cuts it in today’s evolving world of work.

Now, the right office layout, style and finish selections can spark productivity, attract and engage star talent, and delight clients, ultimately supporting long-term organizational success. And a well-informed fit-out strategy can deliver on all those goals, while supporting space utilization and efficiency.

Understanding current, real-world cost data can help you and your colleagues make educated decisions amidst rising costs and increasing C-suite expectation from the workplace. For example, making the most of greater tenant improvement allowances can go a fair distance in offsetting high construction costs.

To bring the power of data to your renovation strategy, it helps to start with a good look at your own workforce priorities.

Know your workplace style

Every organizational culture and brand is unique, and therefore will have its own expression of workplace style. Will your firm’s teams be best supported by an open, flexible layout with state-of-the-art collaboration technology, or are they more likely to thrive in a traditional office setting? Or, are they more likely to appreciate a mix of spaces, which they can move freely between as needed based on the task at hand?