Quick Guide
- Transition Through Office Tiers: Upgrade from your starting 2007 garage to a commercial workshop and ultimately a sprawling multi-floor corporate headquarters.
- Expand Employee Hiring Caps: Upgrading office facilities directly raises your maximum employee headcount from 2 to over 16 team members.
- Build Modular Workspaces: Place walls, doors, painted tiles, and executive suites to organize distinct hardware, research, and marketing departments.
- Optimize Transit Distances: Position assembly workstations close to parts delivery bays to minimize worker walking animations and boost production output.
- Boost Company Equity: Every dollar invested into architectural construction directly increases fixed asset equity on your corporate balance sheet.
Facility Tiers and Expansion Roadmap
In Build a Phone Empire, the physical workspace you provide your engineering team determines the speed of product assembly and technology research. Moving out of the starter garage is the first major structural milestone every founder must achieve.
The table below outlines the core facility tiers, the capital required for relocation, and the operational advantages each office tier provides.
| Facility Level | Workspace Type | Upgrade Cash Cost | Max Staff Limit | Construction Area | Research Speed Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Suburban Starter Garage | $0 (Starting plot) | 2 Employees | 64 sq tiles | 1.0x Baseline |
| Tier 2 | Commercial Studio | $10,000 Cash | 6 Employees | 256 sq tiles | 1.5x Speed |
| Tier 3 | Multi-Department Office | $50,000 Cash | 10 Employees | 576 sq tiles | 2.0x Speed |
| Tier 4 | Corporate Campus HQ | $150,000 Cash | 16 Employees | 1,024 sq tiles | 2.8x Speed |
| Tier 5 | High-Tech Megacomplex | $500,000 Cash | 24+ Employees | Modular Multi-Floor | 4.0x Speed |
Office Customization and Furnishing Options
Beyond expanding physical floor area, you can install specialized furniture and props that enhance employee comfort and departmental efficiency.
| Office Prop Category | Specific Item Example | Purchase Cost | Primary Productivity Benefit | Ideal Room Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Desk | Ergonomic Soldering Station | $1,200 per desk | +20% Hardware assembly speed | Assembly Production Line |
| R&D Computer Terminal | Dual-Monitor Workstation | $2,500 per desk | +25% Research point generation | Laboratory Wing |
| Marketing Suite | Creative Strategy Whiteboard | $3,000 per prop | +15% Ad campaign reach | Marketing Department |
| Executive Amenities | Breakroom Espresso Bar | $4,500 per prop | Reduces worker fatigue pauses | Central Hallway / Breakroom |
Departmental Layout Strategies
To maximize worker throughput, arrange your corporate campus into specialized departmental zones that streamline production handoffs.
| Department Zone | Recommended Staffing | Key Equipment to Cluster | Workflow Optimization Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prototyping Bay | 3–5 Hardware Engineers | Assembly benches & drafting desks | Keep adjacent to parts storage racks |
| Innovation Lab | 4–6 R&D Scientists | High-end computing terminals | Isolate from high-traffic footpaths |
| Commercial Center | 2–4 Marketing Specialists | Campaign planning boards & phones | Place near the executive suite |
| Executive Suite | Founder (Player) | Company ledger desk & trophy cases | Overlook entire facility for easy oversight |