When you are looking for an office – whether you are seeking an entirely new space for your team or are looking to relocate to a more suitable location – there are a few important things to consider. For instance, your office’s location matters to your staff and customers, and it must be accessible via private or public transport. Another thing to keep in mind is its price–particularly if you are a start-up enterprise and don’t have many resources to work with! But what other variables does it take to choose the best office space for your needs and requirements? Here are the essential factors to consider when selecting your office space.
The location
As mentioned, the location is an important consideration because of several reasons. First, you’d want to be centrally located – not in some out-of-the-way area that no one has heard about. But you also have to ask yourself some key questions – can your clients get to your office without going through too much hassle, and does the same hold true for your employees?
Once you find space that takes care of these two considerations, you’re halfway there. For example, let; let’s say you are in a city like Manchester or would like to relocate there – there are many business units to rent in Manchester, but are they in an accessible area and secure neighbourhoods? Also, are there restaurants and gyms nearby, and what other important services are in the area?
The size
The size is another essential consideration, but your budget will directly influence the size of the space. In general, a rule of thumb is to have 6.5 square metres per person – but this is where you know your company the most. If your staff need more storage or larger desks, only you can say this for sure.
There is also a need for a meeting room or conference room and a space to rest. A pantry would be ideal, of course – and for these needs, you may want to consider a serviced office. It’s a less expensive alternative to a regular office, and it gives you flexibility and freedom to scale up and down as you choose. Bear in mind that cramped spaces can affect the productivity of your staff, so if you can, always look for something bigger.
The price
When it comes to price, there is a thin line between spending too much and not spending enough – so you have to figure out what this line is. If you don’t spend enough, you could end up in a space you are not happy with, and if you spend too much, it might be difficult to come up with the rent each month.
Once again, you should ask a few key questions – can you realistically afford to settle a deposit on the office now? Does the space have hidden charges or fees, such as maintenance, parking, and so on? Does the office space have a similar price to other spaces in the neighbourhood or community?
These questions will give you a better idea of how affordable it is and whether or not you are acquiring the best possible deal. But, at the end of the day, you also have to think about the infrastructure and the style of the office – whether it’s in line with your requirements, too.
Image attributed to Pixabay.com
