Five Things to Consider When Choosing a New Office Space
The increase in the number of parking spaces comes at a time when developers downtown have opted to convert older buildings to residential use -- such as the former Dillard's department store at Sixth Street and Washington Avenue. Gunna Development, a partnership of Gordon Gundaker and Mike Hejna, and an affiliate of Gundaker Commercial Group Inc., purchased the building and is considering converting it into 150 apartments and a 150-room hotel.
01. Location
“Location, location, location.” We’ve all heard that famous phrase, which drives home just how important location is when choosing a space for your office.
Here are two really important questions to ask:
Can my clients get there without a hassle?
Can my employees get there easily?
If you find an office that ticks these two boxes, then you’re well on your way to finding a good location. Think about the security of the neighborhood as well and what’s close to the office. Is there a gym nearby? Coffee shop? After work bar? All of these things are important for keeping your clients and staff happy!
02. Price
Price is probably the most important factor to most businesses when they’re choosing a new office. If you spend too little, you’ll either end up with an office you’re not happy with, or you may find yourself moving out after a few months. Spend too much, and you might struggle to pay the rent or have to move again to downsize. Neither of those scenarios are ideal.
Can I afford to pay a three month rent deposit on this office right now?
Have I asked about any hidden costs? (Maintenance, extra cost of parking, etc.)
Is this office priced in line with similar office spaces in the area?
03. Size
Obviously both of the factors mentioned previously—location and price—will influence the size of the commercial premises you choose, but it’s an important point to mention.
As a very general rule, it’s normally recommended to have 70 square feet per person. However, you know your business best. If your employees need bigger desks or more storage for example, then up this figure appropriately.
04. Infrastructure
This is a more important feature for some businesses than others. Nowadays however, there aren’t many businesses that can function efficiently without a reliable internet connection. Some offices, particularly managed or serviced offices, generally include internet access as part of their rent. If you’re leasing somewhere privately though, you’ll need to factor in the cost of getting a line connected and the monthly payments for access.
05. Style
Quite often this is pushed to the back of people’s minds while they’re searching for new offices. Although it’s advisable to consider the “more important” factors like the four mentioned above first, there is still a lot to be said for office style.
If you’re a business that hopes to become a “brand” or wants to protect your brand image from the start, then you’ll need to take this into consideration. An office can be a fantastic branding tool. Why do you think Apple has such grand plans, and why should your office be any different?
