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Did you know that 25% of construction projects fail due to inaccurate task time estimates by the commercial builder? And delays can add 20% unnecessary cost to your project? This just demonstrates how crucial it is to perform your due diligence before choosing a commercial construction company. So how do you make sure you got a good one? Ask the right questions and watch out for these signs. Does Your Commercial Builder Have a Demonstrated Track Record? Business owners and property investors should understand the importance of hiring an established commercial builder for their project. Needless to say, working with a beginner is too risky. Don’t be afraid to ask the commercial builder for case studies and proof of successful projects, including timeline and budget. When asking around for referrals, ask about the past clients and current suppliers of your chosen commercial construction company for a deeper understanding. Do They Have a Steady Team and Reliable Contractors? Worldwide report states that 70% of commercial construction contractors have missed their deadlines due to labour shortage. In Australia, construction job vacancies drastically increased by 80% since 2019. And by 2023, there will be more than 100,000 unfilled roles in the sector. A good commercial builder should have measures in place to address labour concerns even before project commencement. Find out if they have a strong industry network and a strong pool of contractors to accommodate your commercial construction project. You may also check if the qualifications match your company culture. As Barry Nalebuff puts it, it is only recently people have begun to recognise that working with suppliers is just as important as listening to customers. Do They Have Good Foresight on Supply Chain Issues? An excellent commercial construction company has good foresight and understands that uncertainties are inevitable. Thus, they are mindful of supply chain issues, especially for a country that heavily relies on imports. See if they are knowledgeable on their industry and global conditions that might affect future projects. Additionally, a commercial builder must stay proactive in evaluating their inventory whilst reviewing their pool of subcontractors. They must also diversify their supply chain to ensure that there are enough materials for their projects. Do They Maximise Technology and Use Advanced Software to Optimise Operations? As 45% of construction professionals reportedly spend more time on non-optimal activities, 58% of commercial builders now use project management software to improve productivity. This tool has become an investment of the top commercial builders. Established commercial construction companies also have efficient customer software in place for optimal customer service. Yet again, nothing beats genuine and face-to-face customer service. WARNING: Beware of the red flags when dealing with a commercial builder. If you would like to build, renovate, or fit out your commercial space, just contact our commercial builders here to start a confidential chat.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, only 78% of Australians are still wearing face masks this May. But because of the sudden surge of cases as reported recently, healthcare professionals are now pushing for another mask mandate for people to wear masks at supermarkets, theatres, concerts and football stadiums With the overwhelming impact of COVID-19 on the country’s healthcare systems, there is an increasing need to improve the patient experience by supporting both emotional and physical well-being by harnessing spaces that focus on patient recovery, while also creating a healthier environment for health clinic staff. Here are the recommended designs to make your healthcare office space wellness-centric: Comfort is key ● Incorporate clinic furniture that offers choice and flexibility. ● Use cosy lounge sofas as opposed to the traditional rows of waiting chairs. ● There can be lots of chatter within waiting rooms, so it’s important to consider materials that absorb sounds including acoustic panels and rubber flooring. Open and tranquil environment ● Bring down the stuffy walls in your healthcare office and use window walls instead to allow natural light to come in. ● Make use of natural finish and colours to stimulate a calm, relaxed environment. According to the Center for Health Design, neutral palettes with soft natural tones work best for patient rooms and can have a hand in calming patients and their family members. While white is the traditional choice, it helps to create a contrast with colours such as blue or green on the walls. Choose saturated colours over pastels, which can cause blurry vision for medical clinic patients with poor eyesight. ● Utilise passive chilled beams over air ventilation systems for high energy efficiency and low running costs. These also operate quietly to alleviate anxiety and tension for both healthcare staff and patients. Surrounded by nature ● Our internal research shows that patients whose windows overlook a scene of nature get released from a hospital almost 10% faster. ● Our internal research shows that patients whose windows overlook a scene of nature get released from a hospital almost 10% faster.d in health centers to give patients an abundance of natural light, refreshing breezes, and tranquil views, so they can feel like being nestled inside a natural rainforest while waiting for their clinic appointments. ● Feature interior gardens or fish ponds to develop an organic and calming atmosphere within the healthcare office spaces. If you would like to build, renovate, or fit out your health clinic, just contact our commercial builders Perth to start a confidential chat.

Did you know that 43% of cyber attack victims are small businesses due to lack of security equipment? Surprisingly, another research revealed that 75% of employees have admitted to stealing from their employers. This contributes to the $50k losses businesses incur annually due to theft. Here are 4 security equipment essentials so you can protect both the physical and intellectual assets for your office space: CCTV System A study based on 40 years of evaluation, showed that CCTV equipment caused a 13% decrease in crime rates. As CCTV footage is admissible in court, installing these devices in your office space can help you build a strong case. Motion Lights A simple yet effective security equipment for your office space is motion lights, which create a psychological deterrent against crimes. A study by the School of Criminal Justice shows that motion security lighting is more effective than other outdoor lighting options. No wonder the market for this security equipment is currently valued at 716 million and is expected to grow to 1.3 billion in 2026. Protection Software Cybercrime happens not only from the outside. Employees can also commit intellectual property theft, data theft, hacking and security breaches. It is estimated that the cost of cybercrime by 2025 will be $10 trillion annually. Visitor Management System Apart from protection software, a visitor management system allows you to track people who might have a chance of accessing your computers and networks within your office space. The benefits of this security equipment have never been more emphasised during the height COVID-19 pandemic for contact tracing. If you would like to build, renovate, or fit out your commercial office space, contact us here to start a confidential chat.

Have you heard that The Australian Government is investing up to $537 billion in the healthcare industry over the next four years? $9.8 billion of this allocated finances goes to hospital funding, with another $296.5 million to be invested for regional, rural, and remote health improvements. Meanwhile, over $36 million will be spent to enhance medical training in the South West and Goldfields regions through two new university departments. According to The Australian Healthcare State of the Industry Report 2021, the following health clinic design features are the most important for patients: Here are the top healthcare interior design trends this 2022 to consider so you can continue to thrive: Wayfinding Custom Acoustic Panelling Glass Partitions Homelike Atmosphere If you would like to build, renovate, or fit out your healthcare clinic, contact us so we can start exploring options.

Despite the labour and supply chain challenges, construction firms projected growing demand for commercial construction projects and public works. As expected, experts have agreed that the costs of most construction materials will likely increase or remain the same this year. We’ve rounded up the top supply chain issues that may affect the cost of your upcoming construction project: Aluminum In the last two years, the price of aluminum has increased by more than $1000/MT. By December 2021, it touched $2700/MT. It is projected that this year, the average price of aluminum will increase by 5 – 10%. There’s also a global supply chain crisis for bauxite, a critical raw material for aluminum. This is due to Australia’s production cutdown. Australia is the second-largest producer of bauxite globally. Bricks There are supply chain shortages of brick supply in other parts of the globe, including the UK and the US. However, the trend is different in Australia. The supply of locally made bricks can still accommodate the demand. The real issue here is that there are not enough bricklayers to lay them. In fact, the sector reported supply chain issues of labourers of all kinds. Bricks overseas face shortage but it is a common occurrence every year. Copper The supply for copper is fairly optimistic, and it is reported to exceed the demand this year. This can counteract the increase in prices. Standard Chartered Bank forecasted that the price of copper will be at $9150/MT for 2022. And for next year, it is projected to be at $8300/MT. Steel The price of imported structural steel doubled last year. In October 2021, David Buchanan, CEO of Australian Steel Corporation, shared that Australia is already facing supply chain shortages. When the pandemic hit the globe, steel manufacturers slowed down their production expecting that the demand would decrease. However, what happened was the total opposite. Thus, creating supply chain issues for most countries, Australia included. Iron Ore In 2021, there was a dip in shipment for iron ore, but experts projected that it would improve this year. Supplies will increase to augment the global demand. Morningstar forecasted that the average price of iron ores will be $116 a tonne between 2021 and 2024. But with the global supply chain challenges, iron ore prices remain volatile. Timber The price of timber will continue to increase in 2022 on a global scale. In Australia, there is still supply chain shortages and it challenges the demand for new construction projects. The shortage can be attributed to the 2019 and 2020 bushfires that destroyed hectares of plantation. According to seasoned commercial builders, the waiting time for timber products can be between 22 to 26 weeks – a critical consideration when scheduling your commercial construction projects. Delays are expected not just on timber but also on other commercial construction materials. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, shipping firms idled more than 10% of the global fleet. This has affected the volume of the shipment and the price. If you would like to build or fit-out your office space, or undergo a commercial renovation, simply contact us so we can start exploring options.

Did you know that Australia is included in the top 10 countries worldwide with the most cosmetic clinic spending? In fact, we collectively spent over $1 Billion on cosmetic clinic procedures alone for the first time in 2020. This is significantly 40% larger than the US per capita. According to the Cosmetic Physicians College of Australasia, Australians have become accustomed to having hectic lifestyles before lockdown. And now that they’re given an opportunity to slow down and revitalise their way of life, many have opted to undergo cosmetic centre procedures, considering that they have more time to focus on their bodies and improve their physical features. Aside from these findings, below are some other data that demonstrate the strong demand in cosmetic clinic procedures across Australia: Anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers These are the two popular cosmetic studio procedures that gained the most revenues from Australians this 2021, according to the report of the Victorian Cosmetics Institute. “Zoom Boom” “Zoom Boom” is driving interest in non-invasive facial procedures like neck rejuvenation and jawline contouring. According to the Cosmetic Physicians College of Australasia, people spend more time now looking down into their computer’s camera and focusing on those areas of their body. Positive implications of cosmetic surgery Whilst costs of certain cosmetic surgery clinic procedures can cost up to $40,000 or more, many Aussies don’t mind spending these staggering amounts as they are becoming more influenced with its positive implications displayed on social media. In fact, teens between the ages of 13-19 were also contributing to its growth with some of them having already tried undergoing nose reshaping, male breast reduction, ear surgery and laser hair removal. Demand for plastic surgeons According to IBISWorld, there will be a huge demand for plastic surgeons in Australia in the next five years due to Australia’s ageing population and increasing obesity cases. This includes non-surgical cosmetic centre procedures like botox, along with surgical procedures including face lifts and weight reducing procedures like liposuction. By 2026, it is forecasted that the Cosmetic Surgery and Services Market size will reach $53.3 billion, growing at a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period 2021-2026. This data includes the best performing regions in the cosmetic clinic industry like Australia. Contact Chest Constructions for your Medical Fitouts Perth Project If you would like to build, fit-out or undergo a commercial renovation for your cosmetic clinic, just reply to this email so we can start exploring options.

Two years after the pandemic struck the world, several businesses are now gradually mandating their employees to return to their offices and thus, an office fit-out may be necessary to align your spaces with the current design trends. Many have embraced the hybrid work setup, which according to studies, can boost Australia’s economy by $18 billion. Either way, this move encourages business leaders to improve their office space to maintain high productivity. But before commencing your office fit-out project, below are our key reminders you cannot afford to miss: Choosing Aesthetics Over Comfort Work-related musculoskeletal disorders remain to be one of the top problems in office spaces across Australia. The solution is to forge an office fit-out design that puts comfort first while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing workspace. Fact: Aesthetics and comfort do not significantly affect task performance. However, studies show that the emotions brought by the aesthetic design and comfort of your office space furniture can improve the results of certain tasks. As many companies have already invested in ergonomic chairs, prioritising height-adjustable tables is encouraged too. Research shows that standing up while working has improved employee efficiency by 23%. Not Measuring Your Space The optimal workspace per employee is 16 square metres. For executives and leaders, the average is 32 square metres. On the other hand, 9 square metres per person is more ideal if you have an open office space. These are just guides and may vary depending on the type of business and the overall office fit-out design you are going for. Nevertheless, it pays to keep these measurements in mind to create a great workplace and maximise your employees’ full potential. Too Large Furniture A larger office space does not mean you can splurge on bigger furniture. These unused spaces, when added together, can be dedicated for a different purpose like a small meditative space for employees. Our internal research found that designated quiet hours and spaces provide relief to employees, especially in an open setup for office spaces. It reduces stress levels which is one of the top causes of absenteeism. In 2019, absenteeism cost Australian companies over $35 Billion worth in wages and lost productivity. Bad Lighting Did you know that one-third of employees wish for better lighting in their office spaces? This is according to a global survey conducted by Staples in 2018. While there are several lights to choose from, we encourage investing in LED lights. LED lights are better than fluorescent ones because of their longer lifespan. In addition, it is deemed to be healthier. Studies show that fluorescent lights can trigger symptoms of migraines and can interrupt sleep patterns. On the other hand, LED lights can be adjusted depending on the time of the day, thereby making it a better option for lighting solutions in your office space. Avoiding the above pitfalls can do wonders for your employees. Take note of these before embarking on your next office fit-out project. For a fit-out that increases productivity, our team at Chest Constructions can help you. Give us a call at 0403 464 064, or simply contact us here.

In a survey from the Wall Street Journal, about 45% of economists believed that it would take until the second half of 2022 for there to be improvement in the global supply chain issues. Although there are signs that some bottlenecks are easing, the onset of the Omicron Covid variant could lead to new shutdowns, sending another disruptive spasm through the global supply chain system. Let’s take a look at the current supply chain landscape across the globe and the projections over the coming months: Australia Did you know that according to the Cordell Construction Cost Index, residential and commercial construction costs in Australia have recorded an annual increase of a staggering 7.1 per cent? As supply chain and logistics issues worsen in parts of the world and the spectre of Covid returns to haunt China once more, there are growing concerns that Australian businesses and consumers could be impacted in the coming months and into next year. In fact, David Leaney, a lecturer for international supply chain management at ANU’s College of Business and Economics, told news.com.au things would “get worse before they get better”. He also added that “Most of the current supply chain issues are caused by staff shortages due to Covid. This relates to staff shortages at all points along the supply chain”. Stock is also ‘stuck’ in various bottlenecks along the supply chain. Additionally, “It will take months to solve these supply chain issues and return to a smooth efficient working international and national supply chain,” he said. UK In a Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) survey, it was revealed that 85% of UK businesses had experienced supply chain disruption in 2021 as businesses continued to grapple with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Of this group, a third have brought production back to the UK as ties are cut with international suppliers. Most of this group expected issues in supply chain logistics to continue well into 2022, with nearly three-quarters (71%) expecting supply chain interruptions to last for six months or more. Additionally, 71% of supply chain managers had experienced delivery delays and 49% had been forced to over-order stock. John Glen, the CIPS chief economist, said the situation had highlighted how important smooth running supply chains were to the business community, the economy and the public. US According to Phil Levy, chief economist at Flexport, a freight forwarding company based in San Francisco, a normal supply chain is “unlikely to happen in 2022”. The tightness in warehouses helps explain why U.S. ports remain seized by dysfunction, especially the busiest one, the complex of terminals at Los Angeles and Long Beach. Over the last three months, container ships unloading goods have remained at U.S. ports for seven days on average, an increase of 4% compared with all of 2021, and 21% higher than at the start of the pandemic, according to FourKites, a supply chain solutions company based in Chicago. Maersk, one of the big three shipping companies, said the worst delays were still on the US west coast where ships were waiting four weeks to unload due to the lack of workers on land. This creates a chaotic “ripple effect” around the world with ships locked into tight deadlines and a glut of containers in some ports in the US and Europe, but not enough in ports throughout Asia. As ports work through the backlog, they are contending with structural problems — aging and overtaxed infrastructure, a shortage of chassis used to haul containers with trucks, and not enough drivers, even as trucking companies increase pay. Asia-Pacific Integrated logistics company Maersk remains cautiously optimistic on the supply chain in the Asia Pacific, even as the global markets continue to face congestion, disruption, and pandemic issues in 2022. For instance, despite China’s ongoing COVID problem, its resilient and comprehensive supply chain network is predicted to help the country grow by 10% in 2022, according to the World Economic Forum. In Singapore, factories have reopened since October 2021 and production is steadily picking up in major manufacturing areas of Southeast Asia as Covid-19 cases have dropped in recent weeks, easing some of the supply chain constraints that companies blame for lost sales. Over the next few years, Asia-Pacific is set to remain the main winner in terms of export gains, whilst energy, electronics, machinery and equipment sectors should continue to outperform in 2022, according to CNBC. If you would like to build, renovate, fit-out your commercial construction project, contact us today and start a confidential chat.

Did you know that 52% of workers suffer from health issues due to poor lighting in their workspace? Inadequate lighting in the workspace can cause anxiety, lethargy, headaches, nausea, physiological strain, and visual discomfort. In fact, the long hours spent under the colour spectrum emitted by artificial light can lead to poor mental health. Therefore, we should ensure that our inside environments, especially at work, have a light colour index of close to 100, to mimic sunlight. In a study conducted by a Cornell professor, workers that use natural daylight reported an 84% drop in symptoms of blurred vision and headaches. And whilst you can always get full-spectrum natural light bulbs for your office, we strongly encourage other best practices to incorporate natural lighting to your working space. Invest in Bigger Windows Employees who sit close to the window and are exposed to daylight reported a 2% increase in productivity. The percentage might not sound too much, but has a great impact if you add the total number of your employees and the work days per week. We also recommend a floor-to-ceiling window to give your employees an unobstructed view of the outdoors. Add a Skylight On average, artificial lighting accounts for 40% of a workplace’s total energy. Adding a skylight can reduce your lighting energy cost between 50% – 80%. This is also a good initiative if your company wants to go greener. Maximise Mirrors If you are renting a small office space and it does not have big windows or a skylight, a quick fix would be adding mirrors to reflect the natural light. In addition, it gives your workspace a sense of style, elegance and character. You can even use a window pane mirror to give an illusion of the real window. Choose the Right Type of Curtains Whilst many offices now use blackout curtains to minimise light and noise, blind curtains are more practical. With blinds or roman curtains, you can control not just light but the privacy of your office. The best part is that these are low-maintenance and easy-to-clean, preventing allergens from affecting your employees. Remember, according to the World Health Organization, workplace exposure to dust is responsible for 11% of asthma cases globally. Venetian and roller blinds are good choices, too. Adjust Your Workspace Colour Palette A lot of businesses use colours akin to their branding, which is good. But you have to understand colour psychology and how it affects employee productivity. Experts believe that using too much red can cause your employees to get agitated. Using grey can be depressive and lime may cause productivity loss. The most practical choice is white, especially for taking advantage of natural light. But if this seems too plain, you can add colour tones to adjust the shade. Go for flat white instead of glossier finish to reduce glare. If you are looking to build, fit-out, or renovate your office space, contact us to start a confidential chat.

According to a 2021 survey by Microsoft, 41% of the global workforce would consider switching jobs this year with 55% noting that their workplace would play a huge role in their decision-making. On that note, here are the four emerging office space design trends to thrive in the new normal: Hybrid model Did you know that in a global survey conducted by TravelPerk, 76% of respondents confirmed that their companies shifted to a hybrid workplace model? The hybrid model is the answer to the growing demand amongst employees who want choice and flexibility for where and how they work. Here, employees are only required to come into the workplace once a week on the same day as their team. The rest of the time, unless there is a meeting best done in person, offers employees the flexibility to work from home. In a nutshell, this work model aims to change the concept of going to an office space as an obligation to a destination. Offices will become places where people will come together for training, collaboration and connection rather than the outdated model of 9 to 5 desk work. Australia’s leading communications company Telstra was already moving to this before COVID-19, with their employees working from home 1.7 days a week on average. Increase in collaborative and flexible spaces In the 2021 State of Remote Work by Buffer, difficulty in collaboration, communication and loneliness are the top 2 struggles of remote working according to 2,300 global respondents. As organisations adopt the hybrid setup, it will become increasingly important for employers to shape a workspace where they can connect and communicate face-to-face to support that virtual existence. One best example is James O’Flaherty, Adtrak’s business operations director, who has re-configured the company’s 16,500-sq-ft workplace to include team-working spaces through hot desks where workers can book through an app, social spaces to promote dialogue, and rooms equipped with new technology for seamless videoconferencing with remote-working colleagues. Now strategically designed, they decreased their desks from 120 to only 70. Meanwhile, Robert Mankin, a partner in architecture firm NBBJ’s Los Angeles office, thinks future office spaces will also need to be more agile and able to change depending on the demands of a given day. This might mean multipurpose furniture that is easy to move to promote collaboration or demountable partitions for moments of privacy. Salesforce, for example, reduced its desk space by 40% and embraced a floor plan with a more team-focused workspace that encourages a balance of individual and collaborative work. The Korean fintech company Hana Bank HQ was also modified to cater to various modes of working, like heads-down individual work, flexible seating, and collaborative office spaces that encourage focused team interaction, and lounges for socialising. Technology Office spaces in the new normal will be composed of new touchless technology that replace surfaces like buttons and handles. Other tech inventions might include: However, the most crucial tech component of the post-COVID-19 office will be a need for a tool to help bridge the gap between remote and in-person staff. As such, companies like Microsoft have debuted elaborate conference rooms with curved tables, projection equipment and specialised mics and cameras that make in-person participants feel like everyone’s present and remote participants feel like everyone’s remote. Wellness According to the Global Wellness Institute, the Global Wellness Workplace is already $48.5Bn in market size in 2020. It is projected to grow by $58.4Bn by 2025, signifying a 3.8% increase. What’s more is that Australia ranked 10th amongst 20 markets in 2020 with total spending of $1.07billion. Health has been a rising topic in the workplace even before the pandemic and post-COVID, creating a comfortable workspace that combat stress and improve mental wellness and job performance will become more evident to support employees. There will be an ongoing emphasis on indoor air quality and general sanitation, lighting, and biophilic elements (like plants, green spaces, and views of nature) that can impact employee wellbeing and productivity. More employers have introduced flexible well-being programs, including giving employees more freedom in choosing when, where, and how they work. Benefits like child/elder care assistance, shorter and more flexible work hours, and more paid leave are gaining momentum in some quarters. Employers/governments in Finland, Iceland, New Zealand, and Japan have also made headlines in their experiments with 4-day work weeks, aimed at combatting burnout and improving engagement.