Choosing an office space is not something business owners should undertake lightly. A hasty decision can have long-lasting ramifications, especially when you get locked into a lease agreement that is challenging to terminate without incurring high costs.
You should remember that your choice of office space affects several parties, including employees and clients. The right office space should enhance day-to-day operations, staff productivity levels, and the business’s brand and reputation. Here are critical factors to consider when choosing a new office space:
Current needs
A company’s requirements will govern its owner’s choice of office space. Start by determining if you want to buy or lease office space. Most business owners choose the latter as landlords are responsible for maintenance and repairs. They can also move should the space no longer suit their requirements. Startups and businesses still achieving their full growth potential might benefit from considering shared office space rental in Tampa or other largest and most populous cities in the U.S. Turnkey Office Space helps company owners and managers to find the ideal shared office space solutions to utilize while they focus on building their brand.
Shared office space has many advantages, including cost-effectiveness and flexibility. Providers offer top-quality infrastructure and prime locations that make growing businesses more accessible. Many shared office users have used the opportunity to network with other office users, collaborate, and form new collectives for completing projects.
Related: Room Planner Technology for Seamless Space Planning
Location
When considering an office’s location, a business owner should determine if it is accessible to employees and clients. If customers struggle to find the premises or employees will experience challenges getting there, you might reconsider your choice. Choose an office location close to public transportation hubs where possible and ensure it has accessible parking.
Another factor to consider is proximity to your competitors. Gaining a competitive advantage is a great success motivator. Working near other companies in the same industry allows you to form strategic partnerships. However, some would argue against choosing office space in an area with a high concentration of companies in the same business unless you have a niche approach that sets you aside from the others.
Price
The cost of renting or buying office space plays a significant role in determining which one you choose. Companies operating on a shoestring budget as they carve out a place in their respective industries cannot afford to overspend on office space. Even those organizations making substantial profits will not want to spend more than is necessary to secure great office space.
Renting office space might come with some hidden costs. The last thing you need is to discover them after signing a rental agreement. While shopping around for space, ask about the deposit requirements and cleaning, maintenance, and parking costs. Compare the price charged with similar offices in the same area to determine it is market-related and fair.
Size
Another determining factor when choosing suitable office space is size. The places you look at should offer sufficient room to house your current operations, including a meeting area for employees and clients, such as a conference room. Looking toward the future by including some additional space to cope with organizational growth. If you do not do this, your company might have to move again sooner than you anticipated.
Choose a space that lets you keep employees socially distanced. No one can determine when the Covid pandemic will end or guarantee that another one will not start. Being prepared for such eventualities makes maintaining your business’s functionality possible. Additionally, ensure you have sufficient space to store stock, supplies, or consumables where clients and visitors cannot see them.
Infrastructure
Security should be a vital feature of any office space a business owner contemplates renting. Does the space have an alarm system? Is there security personnel on duty to control access during the day and monitor the property at night?
Internet access is another critical feature. Find out if the landlord offers internet and telephone connectivity or whether you will have to source and pay for them. Check on the bathroom and kitchen or break room facilities to ensure they offer enough space to accommodate your current and future staffing levels. New business owners might consider renting furnished office space to save capital costs while building and growing their company to a position of profitability.
