What is an office strip out?

An office strip out is the process of gutting an office space. It involves removing everything from an office that isn’t a structural component so that it can be repurposed. This includes all fixtures & fittings, furniture, floor coverings and internal walls. Office strip outs are often done at the beginning or end of a lease to get the property ready for a new tenant.

Why would you do an office strip out?

• Renovation: To create a blank canvas for a redesign or refurbishment.
• Relocation: To clear the space before moving out.
• Demolition: As a first step before completely demolishing the building.
• Change of use: To prepare the space for a different purpose.

What is involved in a strip out?

A strip out is a form of commercial demolition. It involves the removal of internal fixtures and nonessential structures to prepare the room for renovations. This may include:

• Internal walls and partitions: Taking down plaster walls, partitioning, cubicles, and any non-load-bearing walls.
• Signage: Removing all signage of the previous business
• Ceilings: Removing ceiling tiles, plasterboard, and any suspended features.
• Floor coverings: Removing tiles, ripping up carpet and any underlay.
• Fixtures & fittings: Taking out lighting, switches, sockets, and things like whiteboards and blinds.
• Furniture: Clearing out desks, chairs, and any other office furniture.
• Electrical & Utility Services: Removal of redundant cabling, pipework, and ventilation systems.
• Kitchen & bathroom fittings: Taking out sinks, toilets, cupboards, and appliances.

How to prepare for your office strip out

Plan what needs to be removed

As with most things, the first step is to have a good plan in place for your renovation. Decide if you want to change the layout of the space and what needs to be removed to allow for this. Keep in mind large changes to the layout will cost more as you will need to adjust the plumbing and electrical as well. Consider what your budget for the renovation will be, the strip out will be a very small part of the total cost. Make sure to communicate with the team completing the defit what components you want to be removed.

Get approval

It’s important to get approval from the right people before starting any office strip out. This typically includes the building manager, owner, local council, and other tenants. Your renovation must comply with local building regulations set by the council. Ensuring you have approval from all relevant parties will help your renovations go smoothly.

Clear the work area

Cleaning and decluttering might seem like the easy part of preparing an office for a strip-out, but it’s often underestimated. Don’t be fooled, this step can be more time-consuming and involved than you might think. Remove anything that will be staying in the office post-strip out, including furniture, desks, stationary and paperwork. This will make it easier for the workers to remove old components and install new ones.

Turn off water, electricity and gas

Before any work begins, shut off the electricity, gas, and plumbing in the office. This is an important safety measure that will prevent flooding, electrocution, and gas leaks. A professional electrician and plumber will need to handle these tasks.

Why Choose All Stripped?

All Stripped specialises in efficient office strip out, no matter the size. We know that time is precious when it comes to commercial renovations, so we work fast without sacrificing quality. With years of experience and specialised equipment, the All Stripped team can often complete a full office defit over a few nights. Contact us for a free estimate for your office strip out job.