You’ve found the premises, got the keys and you’re ready to move in. But before the desks arrive, equipment is switched on and the team starts settling in, there’s one important question:
Is the building actually set up for your business?
A building can look ready with working lights, sockets and network points, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the infrastructure is suitable for the way you operate. The previous occupier may have had completely different requirements, so it’s worth understanding what you’re working with before you move in.
A building can look ready when it isn’t
The electrical installation needs to be able to support the demands you’re going to place on it. That could mean checking the existing installation, available capacity, distribution and whether any faults or issues need addressing.
This is particularly important if you’re bringing in machinery, additional equipment or a larger workforce. Finding out that the building needs significant electrical work once you’re already operating can mean unnecessary disruption.
What about your data?
Electrical infrastructure isn’t the only thing to consider. Your business may rely on a network for everything from computers and phones to printers, CCTV and other connected equipment.
Existing data cabling may not provide the capacity or configuration you need. C J Timms provides structured cabling, Cat5e and Cat6 installations, fibre optic cabling and network testing, and can work alongside your internal or external IT team.
It’s much easier to address network limitations before they’re affecting your day-to-day operations.
Plan for the business you’re building
Your requirements on moving day aren’t necessarily going to be your requirements in two or five years.
More employees could mean additional workstations and connections. New equipment could increase electrical demand. Changes to your layout could require different lighting or power points.
Thinking about these possibilities during the fit-out can help create infrastructure that supports the business rather than something that needs constant modification as you grow.
Before moving in, ask yourself:
- Can the existing electrical installation support our requirements?
- Is there enough capacity for our equipment?
- Is the data infrastructure suitable for our network?
- What needs to be changed as part of the fit-out?
- Are we allowing for likely future requirements?
The best time to discover a problem is before you’ve moved everything in.
If you’re moving into new commercial premises, C J Timms can help with electrical design, installation, testing and data infrastructure.
Find out more about our commercial electrical services: https://www.cjtimms.co.uk/commercial-electrical-contractors-in-east-midlands/
