Working columns place special demands on accommodation. Unlike individual fitters, teams of five, eight or more people not only need sufficient sleeping places, but also enough common space and a well-functioning infrastructure. A fitter’s accommodation for working columns must be designed in such a way that the entire team is comfortably accommodated and at the same time can work efficiently. Colleagues must be able to start together in the morning without getting in each other’s way, and in the evening there should be enough space to relax. Professional landlords have specialized in such group bookings and offer appropriately dimensioned apartments or entire houses. This text explains what is important for teams when it comes to accommodation.
Special requirements of working columns
The main difference to individual accommodation is team dynamics. A column of work does not come together at random, but works daily as a unit. The accommodation should support this cooperation, not hinder. In concrete terms, this means: sufficient bathrooms so that there are no long queues in the morning, a large kitchen with enough space for meals together and enough parking spaces for several company vehicles.
The equipment must also correspond to the number of people. If eight people live in an apartment, you need not only eight beds, but also eight plates, eight chairs at the dining table and a correspondingly large fridge. Professional fitter accommodation for teams are equipped accordingly and take these practical needs into account.
The situation also plays an important role. Accommodation for craftsmen’s teams should be conveniently located, so that all vehicles can quickly get to the motorway or construction site in the morning. The proximity to supermarkets is also important, as there are major purchases for a whole team.
size and room layout
The ideal accommodation for a working column is either a very large apartment or a whole house. Separate bedrooms, each with two to three beds, allow a certain privacy, while common areas strengthen the team spirit. A large living room with enough seating is important for meetings or evenings together.
The number of bathrooms is crucial for the comfort. The rule of thumb is: a bathroom for a maximum of three to four people. A column of eight people should therefore have at least two, preferably three bathrooms. Some landlords also offer a separate guest toilet, which is very helpful in the morning.
The kitchen must be suitable for group catering. A large dining table, where everyone can be accommodated, is part of the basic equipment. An XL fridge and sufficient cookware are also necessary. Some teams organize their food together, others cook alternately for everyone – in both cases the kitchen must be equipped accordingly.
Ideal equipment for teams
- Several separate bedrooms for retreats
- At least two bathrooms, ideally three
- Spacious kitchen with XL fridge and large dining table
- Spacious living room as common room
- Sufficient parking spaces for all company vehicles
booking and organization
The booking of a fitter’s accommodation for a working column is usually carried out by the employer or the project manager. A central contact person considerably simplifies communication with the landlord. Billing also becomes easier if a collective invoice goes to the company instead of individual receipts for each employee.
The following information should be submitted for the request: exact number of people, desired period, number of company vehicles and special requirements. For example, some teams need storage space for material or tools, while others value fast internet for video conferences with the control panel.
Flexibility in the number of people is an important point. On construction sites, plans sometimes change at short notice. Good landlords are accommodating here and enable adjustments if the capacity limits of the accommodation are not exceeded.
Costs and Efficiency
Fitter accommodation for groups usually offers better conditions per person than individual accommodation. A large apartment for eight people costs more in total, but the equivalent of the individual is significantly less. While a single room could cost 25 euros per night, the price in a group apartment is often only 18 to 22 euros per person.
Discounts can be negotiated for longer stays. Many landlords grant discounts of 10 to 20 percent for bookings of four weeks or more. For companies that regularly use teams in the same region, framework agreements with fixed conditions are worthwhile.
Self-sufficiency through your own kitchen brings further savings. A team that cooks together spends significantly less per person than on daily restaurant visits.
Social aspects and team dynamics
A shared accommodation strengthens the cohesion of the working column. After work, you can sit together, eat together and discuss the working day. This promotes communication and helps to address problems at an early stage.
However, people also need privacy. Not everyone wants to spend every evening with their colleagues. Separate bedrooms and sufficient retreats are therefore important. The ideal accommodation for employees on Mondays offers both: common areas for social interaction and private areas for rest and relaxation. A well-organized fitter for working columns makes the difference between a strenuous and a pleasant stay.