An estate agency branch has to do a lot: attract passers-by, impress vendors and landlords, and work hard as an office every day. We’ve refitted branches for agents including Jacksons, Dexters and Marsh & Parsons. This checklist covers what to plan before the work starts.
1. Trading during the works
- Can the branch close, or does it need to keep trading?
- Can work run out of hours or in phases, so the front of house stays open?
- Where will staff work if the branch is closed: another office, or a temporary set-up?
- Agree the programme with your landlord, and check the lease for any restrictions on alterations or working hours.
2. The shop window
The window is your biggest advert.
- Display lighting: property display screens or boards need power and data in the right places, and lighting that works day and night.
- Glare and reflections: position lights so displays read clearly from the street.
- Timers or smart control so displays switch on and off automatically.
3. Signage and branding
- Illuminated signs inside and out need a power supply, and often a dedicated circuit or timer. External illuminated signs may also need advertisement consent from the local planning authority, so check early.
- Plan feature walls for logos, such as backlit lettering on timber slats or painted brand colours, before the decorators start. See how we did this for Jacksons in Wandsworth.
4. Data, phones and IT
- Agree desk positions early, so data and power go exactly where they’re needed.
- Plan a comms cabinet with space and ventilation for switches and phone equipment. Our comms cabinet case study shows what good looks like.
- Wi-Fi access points, CCTV and door entry can share the same cabling. Read our data cabling guide.
5. Lighting and comfort
- Bright, even LED lighting over desks, and warmer feature lighting in meeting areas
- Air conditioning service or replacement while the ceiling is open
- Acoustic treatment for valuation rooms and open-plan desks
6. Fire safety and compliance
- Update the fire risk assessment for the new layout
- Emergency lighting and fire alarm adjustments for new partitions
- Fire doors, signage and escape routes
- Electrical certification for all new work, plus an EICR if the existing installation is due
7. Strip-out and programme
If the unit needs taking back to the shell, plan the strip-out first. See our commercial strip-out guide. Then work in sequence: first-fix services, ceilings and partitions, second fix, decorating, flooring, then furniture and signage.
One contractor, one programme
Using one contractor for strip-out, electrics, data, lighting, decorating and flooring keeps the programme tight and means there’s no gap between trades. Positive Contractors specialises in branch fit-outs for estate and letting agents across London and Essex. See our case studies and fit-outs and refurbishments service, or call 020 8227 0035 to discuss your branch.
We cover London and Essex, with our own engineers working every day across Chigwell, Loughton, Buckhurst Hill, Woodford, Ilford, Romford, Brentwood and Epping.