Finding the right commercial shop fitters for your business can be the difference between coming in under budget, on time and to your vision — or not. Between making your shopfront, restaurant or office appealing to customers, comfortable for your workers and having enough space for what you do, there is a lot of pressure to get it right.
But your dream shop fitter is out there, and these are the tips to finding the right commercial shop fitters for your business. We’ll help you find the right shop fitter, know what to ask them to know if they’re right for your job, and what to look for when checking their credentials.
Let’s start with understanding what you need before setting out on your hunt.
Tips for Finding the Right Commercial Shop Fitters for Your Business
Understand what you need.
Before you even start looking at potential fitters and installers, it’s important you understand exactly what kind of service you need for your business.
Do you want to install a complete shop fit out, or just certain fixtures and fittings? Are you looking for a full service or can you do some of the installation yourself? And what kind of budget do you have in mind?
Once you’ve answered these questions, it will be easier to narrow down your search and find the right fitters and installers for your project.
Research online and ask for referrals.
Now you know exactly what kind of service you need, it’s time to start researching potential fitters and installers. A good place to start is by asking trusted people in the industry for recommendations. If you don’t know any other business owners personally with a physical location they’ve had fitted out, ask the owners of stores, cafés and offices you do like who helped them.
You can also use review websites like TrustPilot and Google Business Profile (on Google Search) to find online reviews from people who have worked with the fitters and installers in question. This can help you get an idea of their quality of work, customer service and overall reliability.
It’s also a good idea to check if any fitters or installers have been certified by relevant industry bodies such as the Australian Retail Association (ARA). This will give you peace of mind knowing that they are experienced professionals who adhere to professional standards and best practices.
Get quotes and start interviewing.
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of potential fitters and installers, it’s time to start getting quotes for the job and interviewing them for your job. When making enquiries, make sure to provide as much detail as possible about what kind of services you need and how much you’re willing to spend on the project. This will help make sure that the quotes you receive from different companies are accurate and based on the same set of requirements.
It’s also a good idea to ask each company for references or contact details of previous clients, so you can get an even better understanding of their service quality and reliability.
When interviewing shop fitters, be sure to ask about their design process, inclusions, project management and if you’ll have a dedicated person to speak to. It can be the seemingly smallest touch that can make all the difference, especially when you’re running on tight deadlines and budgets!
Check (and double check) credentials.
Before signing any contracts with potential fitters and installers, it’s important you check their credentials thoroughly. Make sure they have all relevant permits and licences in place for the work they’re doing, as well as valid insurance policies. This will protect your business from any legal issues or financial losses in the event of damage or injury.
You should also ask to see any relevant qualifications and certifications they may have, such as specific state-by-state licences.
Collaborating with your shop fitter.
Once you’ve found the right fitters and installers for your project, it’s time to start collaborating with them on the finer details. Make sure to clearly discuss your expectations of them in terms of quality, timelines and budget. And try to keep an open line of communication throughout the entire process – this will help ensure that everyone is on the same page and that there are no misunderstandings along the way.
By following these steps, you can rest assured you’ll find the right commercial shop fitters and installers in gold coast, Australia.
