There are lots of reasons why a business might need a new office space. Maybe you’re an entrepreneur searching for somewhere to start your dream business. Maybe you’re the manager of an established company that is looking to move to new premises to expand operations.
Regardless of the reason, there are several important factors that you need to consider if you’re searching for a new office space. Overlooking even just one of these things can lead to disappointment!
Location
If remote working is impossible for your business model, you must consider the location of your potential office. Ideally, it should be somewhere that all of your team members and clients can easily get to. You should also consider the surrounding area. Are there nearby cafes or shops that your staff can relax in during their lunch breaks? Is the office located in an upcoming area that is thriving and bustling? How safe is the neighborhood?
The location you choose might also be influenced by the surrounding businesses. Are there any nearby competitors that you want to avoid? Would you prefer to be in the middle of the high street or set back from the noise?
Size
Size is one of the most important factors to consider when it comes to choosing a new office. You want to ensure there is room for all of your equipment to fit nicely into the space without looking crowded and cluttered. There should be space for desks, chairs, computers, printers, duplex scanners, and any other necessities your business needs.
It’s also important to have space for your employees to navigate around the area safely and easily. Consider how many staff members you have, whether you need separate conference rooms, and where your staff room is going to be. Having a cramped office can massively reduce productivity and employee satisfaction, both of which can have negative effects on your business.
Pricing
When searching for office space, you must decide whether or not you’re going to rent or buy. If you’re renting, consider how affordable the monthly payments are going to be and ask the owner whether there is a minimum or maximum lease period. You must also determine if things like the utilities, maintenance costs, or on-site car parking are included in the monthly rent.
Style and Layout
Although you can put up your own artwork and purchase your preferred style of furniture for the office, it’s important to take a close look at the style and décor of the existing building. Check whether the walls are freshly painted, how modern the kitchen area is, how well-kept the outside of the building is. Having a clean and inviting office space will impress your clients and customers, and will leave a great lasting impression. It will also ensure your employees feel comfortable in the workplace. If you’re renting, make sure to ask the owner whether or not you can customize the office to suit your needs and preferences.
Take into consideration the specific layout of the office space. Find somewhere with lots of windows for natural light and ventilation, as ths can significantly impact employee productivity and engagement. The office space should be bright and open to reflect a positive company culture.
Contingency and Long-term Planning
Assuming things continue to go smoothly for your business, you probably plan on staying at your new office space for a while. However, you never know if and when you might need to terminate your lease early. There are a number of reasons why this can occur. Your company may experience tremendous growth that you did not initially anticipate, your chosen office space might no longer be large enough to house all of your employees. Or maybe the structural integrity of the building gets damaged or compromised and becomes a safety hazard.
In this case, you should always have some sort of exit plan if the office space fails to meet the needs of your business. It might be a good idea to choose a short-term lease at first, and reassess your situation in six months’ time to determine whether or not the office space is going to be suitable for you in the foreseeable future.
