How To Choose A New Business Office Space

Your first office space is crucial for business. Though it is exciting to pick a spot for your daily operations, it can be tough and overwhelming to make the right decisions for you, the company, clients, customers, and other stakeholders. Thus, it's necessary to know how to choose the right office space especially if you are just starting out.

If you wish to find out how to pick the right office space for lease Philippines, you can use the tips below as a guide to creating your office hunting checklist.

1. Ask yourself, "Is a proper office space vital to the company's success?"

Technology and other advancements made it possible to work remotely. You can work and build a company while wearing pajamas or during your free time by the beach. Working from home provides several benefits that are not available when working in an office.

Think about the business. Can it function in a rented or leased area? Does it need to pool the staff in an area to run its operations? If not, you are saving time and money from searching for the best location for office space.

2. Find the best location.

The best location to have set up an office is a place accessible to both clients and employees. People working for you must only be a short distance from the office. That way, they can arrive to work on time. They may not be willing to travel far when their workplace is miles away from their homes.

The same goes for your clients. The distance of your brick and mortar store or office space is the test of their loyalty. How far will they go to support the business? Are they willing to travel far to get ahold of your products and services?

Besides the distance between your clients and employees, you must also consider your neighborhood and parking space. Are you picking the right neighborhood? Are you close to your target market? Is there enough space to park? Can the parking space accommodate both customers and staff? Most of all, is the space readily available?

3. Think about operating expenses.

The amount of the office space must be a deciding factor. As a new company or a start-up, it is best to set a budget and stick to it. Renting may be less expensive than purchasing a property, but it comes with a lot of expenses.

Before settling on a new office location,  think about setup costs and operating fees. Daily operations come with expenses. You may not be ready to get the whole floor to yourself if bills almost eat half of the company's budget.

4. Look at the future.

Business isn't only for the know. It is also for the future. If you are setting up an office only to think about the current situation, then you are doing it wrong. You must also look into the future of your store or startup. The office space must be large and enough for employees and future operations.

Thus, you must consider some extra space for expansion. You need to have space for additional employees, machinery, and equipment you may need within the two or three years span of your lease.

5. Consider the proximity to government agencies and other social infrastructures.

Besides space and distance from your potential employees and staff, it is a must to ensure the office is close to facilities. It becomes convenient for staff and customers to be close to banks, post offices, hospitals, and other businesses your office may need. Employees will also appreciate when there is a convenience store or a coffee shop nearby.

6. Ensure all the provisions are in the lease contract.

You must ensure you understand and know what you are getting into before closing any deal or signing papers. All the provisions must be clearly stated and defined in the lease. Be sure to clear the legal aspects with the landlord. You don't want a surprise on your lease like a 50% increase in rent annually or a sign over to someone else. Know what you are getting into and be accountable for it.

7. Check local building regulations.

Take time to visit the office space. The building must comply with laws and regulations in the area. Moreover, the essential amenities must be present starting with a level of security. Talk to the landlord about local rules and regulations when it comes to leasing spaces and business properties to clear your questions about the requirements and other requests you may have in mind.

8. Settle the repairs.

Ask who will do the repairs. They can be costly depending on the extent and how many items or areas need attending. The expenses can place your business at a disadvantage. It can take your hard-earned money and interfere with office hours. It is true when the landlord or the management handles the repairs. The expenses may be taken care of, but they may cause an inconvenience during business hours.

9. Set up the look of the space.

Clients and customers will judge the business based on what they see. Therefore, the look of the office determines what they think about the company. Ensure your office portrays the image you want the world to see. The design or the overall look of the place depends on the building and your ability to renovate and customize your office space.

Unfortunately, some landlords may not allow you to paint or knock down walls. Be sure to discuss the rules and permitted renovation with the landlord. You don't want to pay hefty fines for painting the walls or knocking down walls.

Your office space will be one of the determining factors of what clients think about your business. You want to ensure that your office portrays the image you want to have. You can control this by the building you select and your ability to renovate or customize the area. Some landlords may not agree with a new paint job or knocking down walls. Have a discussion to clear it up before signing the lease.

Before thinking about the overall look of your new office, you must think of the technical aspects of leasing. You must consider the budget, office location, expenses, local business regulations as well as the future. These determine the type of office you need.

You can always consult an expert to guide and help you make decisions. That way, you won't settle with the wrong place for your business.


Image Source