Your office is the flagship of your company. It represents you. It motivates your workers. It attracts your clientele. You must invest in the space, but how do you know what items will provide the most return?
The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries reports that broad investment in ergonomic work solutions returns between $3 and $6 for every dollar spent. Let’s look at what you can expect for your return-on-investment (ROI) of high-quality commercial office furniture.
Quantifying the ROI of High Quality Office Furniture
|
Factor |
Impact |
Example |
|
Improved Productivity |
Studies show that ergonomic workstations increase productivity by reducing frequent absences as much as 67%. |
If you have employees taking 15 or more days off annually, you can reduce this number to 10 or fewer absences. You can calculate your current absentee rate with this formula: (Number of absent days / Number of total working days) × 100 |
|
Reduced Healthcare Costs |
When employees have quality furniture, their healthcare costs for musculoskeletal issues and repetitive motion injuries decrease by as much as 60%. |
If you’re currently paying $250,000 annually for workplace-injury-related claims, you could save as much as $150,000. |
|
Less Turnover |
Comfortable office furniture can subtly influence an employee’s comfort and longevity in their role. It can cost as much as 50% of an employee’s salary to replace them after they quit. |
If your high-performing contributors make $100,000, you could spend as much as $50,000 recruiting, onboarding, and backfilling the role. |
|
Fewer Repair and Replacement Costs |
High-quality commercial furniture is an upfront investment. Quality office chairs can cost around $1,500 but last years longer than a $300 model. |
1 quality office chair for 10 years = $1500 Replacing a $300 office chair every year for 10 years = $3000 |
Factors that Affect the ROI of Commercial Office Furniture
Every office is unique, as is the ROI for high-quality office furniture, but there are patterns. Here are a few of the factors that can determine your investment returns after an office furniture redesign:
- Industry and type of work: High-quality office furniture only matters if it’s functional. Focus on different department needs and the type of work they do to ensure you’re providing an optimized environment.
- Office layout and square footage: Your office layout and floor plan are the boundaries that guide your overall project. If you can reuse or repurpose existing elements, you may be able to invest more in higher-impact furniture pieces.
- Budget: Like square footage, your budget puts the parameters on your project. At Benhar, we offer options for every budget.
- Brand and warranty: Expensive furniture doesn’t mean it’s high quality. At Benhar, we work with the most reliable names in the industry, including MillerKnoll, which stands by its products for a lifetime.
How to Maximize The ROI of Commercial Office Furniture
Our years in the furniture business have given us a wealth of knowledge about maximizing the ROI of high-quality office furniture. Here are some practical tips.
Focus On Quality Over Quantity
If your budget allows you to purchase 200 chairs for a lower price point, but the reviews aren’t ideal or you don’t have data about the longevity of the brand’s fabric decisions, you may end up paying more over time to replace those chairs.
Find a sweet spot between the number of chairs you need, determine if you need more workstations for a growing workforce, and purchase the highest quality you can at a price that works for you.
Consider Adaptability
Multi-purpose furniture can fulfill more than one need at once, saving you and your employees time, energy, and money when your needs change. Modular and sit-stand workstations allow employees to reconfigure the environment without another costly renovation.
Involve Employees
You should involve employees in the decision-making process. Because they sit in their chairs daily, they’re experts on what’s working and what’s not. Survey your employees about their needs, then do everything you can to make selections that align with those priorities.
Add Accessories
Ergonomic workstations always have room to improve. Keyboard trays, footstools, and monitor stands can greatly improve comfort throughout the workday, further reducing injury and absenteeism.
Encourage Movement
Offering a variety of spaces to work, collaborate, or take a break can be more welcoming for your employees and improve their focus. This variety can provide another layer of protection against the adverse effects of prolonged sitting.
Integrate Technology
Desks with built-in power outlets, cable management systems, or existing holes for AV cables can offer greater function and flexibility than those without. This flexibility can reduce your vendor costs for the technology installation if your needs change later.
Browse our past projects for inspiration.
Tap Benhar Office Interiors for Excellent ROI on High-Quality Office Furniture
You’re an expert in your industry. Clients from all over come to you to solve their complex problems. The same is true for us in the furniture industry. We have proprietary knowledge and unmatched experience designing and furnishing offices, so we can make recommendations for high ROI on commercial office furniture.