Suppose you run an office, and find that you need to carry out major plumbing works in order to solve a problem such as a major leak. How do you go about it? It might seem like a straightforward issue – to simply call up the plumber and ask them to do it.
However, the truth is that there is a lot more you will need to consider if you are to get it done on time and without much collateral damage. In a nutshell, proper planning is extremely essential when carrying out such projects, and so should not be taken for granted. There are several elements of planning that you should definitely not take for granted, since they are very important in determining the outcome of the project. These include:
Do the planning in consultation with your plumber
When you call a plumber to carry out such a project, chances are that you will simply tell them what the problem is and let them come up with the details of how to fix it. However, if you are to plan on how to prepare for the process, you would need to consult them. They would need to give you information such as what to expect so that you can then figure out the best way to prepare. For instance, there are some jobs that are very minor, and only require a little time to fix. Assuming that they will take long will make you spend a lot of time and money doing things such as moving the furniture from the facility even if it’s not needed. Consulting them first will help reduce the need for this.
Prepare for any flooding that might occur
Depending on the nature of the repairs, you might end up having the office flooded. A good example of this is if a large portion of the plumbing has to be undone. Consulting the plumber in advance will make it easier for you to determine if this is a likelihood or not.
If it turns out that the risk of flooding will be high, there are a number of ways to prepare for it. For one, you would need to get rid of all the electronics, furniture and anything else that might be damaged by the water. You can have this stored in a self storage facility that is close by for the purposes of convenience.
In case of anticipated flooding, you will also need to shut down the power to the facility. The presence of floodwater in an area with high voltage electricity could lead to a fire. Shutting down sources of power is therefore prudent.
Take into account the other tenants in the building
If you are going to carry out plumbing works in an office that is part of a larger complex, you might need to consider the needs of the other tenants. In many cases, the main water supply to the area has to be shut down in order for the work to be carried out. If this turns out to be the case, you will need to consult the other tenants in the facility before carrying out the project. You would need to come to a consensus regarding when you will want the water supply shut down, so that you can then avoid inconveniencing them. Another way to go about it would be to do the repairs over the weekend or any time when the building will not be heavily populated.
Have the office cleared
If you are going to do extensive plumbing repairs in the office, you will need to make sure that the contractor has enough room to work. Having to deal with issues such as running into employees in the course of duty will only slow them down. One of the planning processes you might need to carry out is finding out if they will need a lot of room to carry out the project, and then having the office cleared if they do. This will go a long way in reducing the amount of time and money required to do the plumbing.
Have all the necessary equipment in place
When carrying out plumbing, you might be required to buy a few things such as piping and taps. To avoid having to do this, you could work with a contractor who will make all the purchases for you, and then include the cost of buying them in the final invoice. However, if it turns out that this is not possible you will need to buy the items on your own. Making sure that you get them well before the process begins will go a long way in cutting down the amount of time it will take to carry out the project.
In summary, preparing for a major plumbing project in the office is very important if you are to accomplish all your goals on time and on budget. Using the tips above, you can get this project done with a lot of ease.