From Cost to Return: How Workplace Strategy Maximises Your Investment
When organisations plan a new office, the immediate focus is usually on rent, design fees, or construction costs. But the true measure of success is the return on investment (ROI)—how the workplace performs for the business over time.
A workplace strategy shifts the conversation from “how much will this cost?” to “how much value will this deliver?”—not just in dollars saved, but in productivity gained, risks avoided, and future growth supported.
1. Cost Certainty and Fewer Surprises
One of the most common pitfalls of fitouts is budget blowouts. Without a strategy, design often progresses without fully tested requirements, leading to late changes and unplanned costs.
With a workplace strategy:
Design is stress-tested against operational requirements before contracts are signed.
Trade partners are engaged early to price and value-engineer design solutions.
Variations—often the biggest cost driver—are minimised.
For example, in one Hobart project, trade partners were brought in early during the strategy phase. They flagged a joinery detail that looked great on paper but would have added around $45,000 to the build. By adjusting the design upfront, the client avoided a costly variation and kept the project within budget.
ROI impact: Every $1 invested in workplace strategy can save $3–$4 by eliminating unnecessary overruns and changes.
2. Faster Delivery, Lower Holding Costs
Time is money. Delays often lead to businesses paying double rent (old lease + new lease) or extending staff in unsuitable environments. A clear workplace strategy accelerates decisions, allowing projects to move from concept to completion faster—up to 50% quicker.
Take a financial services client that was facing $30,000 per month in lease overlap. With a clear strategy in place, design approvals and sign-offs happened earlier than expected, and the team moved into their new space two months ahead of schedule. That meant a direct saving of $60,000 in holding costs.
ROI impact: Faster occupancy means lower double-rent costs and earlier use of the workplace.
3. Higher Productivity Through Engagement
People are the largest cost in any business—typically 80–90% of operating expenses. Even a small boost in productivity or engagement can outweigh millions in property costs.
A workplace strategy actively involves staff, building trust and reducing resistance to change. This results in:
Higher employee engagement and retention.
Improved productivity from spaces designed around actual work patterns.
Smoother transitions during relocations or refurbishments.
The payoff is tangible. In one 100-person organisation, creating a more supportive, purpose-driven environment helped cut turnover by just 5%. That modest shift translated into more than $200,000 in annual savings on recruitment and training—far outweighing the initial investment in strategy.
ROI impact: A workplace that supports its people quickly pays for itself in retention and performance gains.
4. Smarter, Future-Ready Investment
Workplaces without strategy often end up too small, too rigid, or culturally misaligned—forcing expensive refits in just a few years. A strategy ensures long-term value by designing for growth, culture, and adaptability.
One technology client, for instance, knew their headcount would grow by 20% over three years. By designing flexible zones and adaptable spaces into their workplace strategy, they absorbed that growth without needing to relocate. The estimated savings? Around half a million dollars in lease and relocation costs.
ROI impact: Strategy ensures your workplace grows with you, protecting long-term value.
The Bottom Line
A workplace strategy isn’t a “nice to have”—it’s a financial safeguard and growth enabler. By reducing risk, accelerating delivery, boosting staff performance, and ensuring future readiness, it delivers a measurable return on investment.