Looking for New Office Space? What You Need to Know So, your company is growing, and you need new digs? That’s fantastic news, for everyone involved. Unfortunately, the need for bigger office space comes with its own set of challenges. And that is just how to balance what you truly want with a space that you can actually afford.

Of course, when you do find a seemingly perfect new office space, you’ll want to make sure that you’ve covered all the bases before signing on the dotted line. Just starting out on the search for bigger premises? Here’s what you need to know. Location Is Everything They Say It Is Location is the most crucial part of any relocation decision. You genuinely need to consider everyone in this decision. And that truly does mean everyone. If clients visit your offices, you shouldn’t make a move until you have considered whether they will still be your clients if you move to another part of town. It is entirely possible

that you will lose some clients if it becomes too difficult for them to do business with you. Then, you need to think about your employees. If you’re moving to another corner of town, the commute may put them off altogether, forcing them to look elsewhere for work. If you’re a growing business, then you probably already know that there are intensely real costs associated with hiring new employees and getting them trained.

And, once you’ve considered the general location, it is time to think about the specifics of a possible location. What are the public transportation options available? Is there parking, and how convenient is it? Will your employees need to pay for parking (or is there some way for you to pick up the tab)? Once you have answered all these questions, you still have to factor in the competition. Will they be too close to you (perhaps even in the same building)? Or perhaps they will be much closer to your clients’ offices than you will be? Consider this before shuffling out to less expensive pastures. Of course, the amenities around your potential location are equally salient. Is there more than one sandwich shop in the area? Is there a pharmacy? A pub? A corner shop for the basics? Try to remember all the little reasons your employees could need to pop out for a bit, and see if you can’t minimize the time they spend away from their desk. Truly, location cannot be overlooked, even when it comes down to the cost of a move. Sometimes the risks and the trade-offs are simply too high to consider moving premises at all. What Can You Do With the Interiors? If the answer to that question is nothing, then it’s not the right space for you. Your company is unique. You have specific needs, and you need to feel free to address those in the manner that is best for your company. If you are able to make alterations, you’ll need to understand what you want to do before you agree to a lease you can no longer afford. It may be a matter of replacing an old, smelly

carpet which is reminiscent of the last tenant’s holiday parties. And if it is a simple matter of carpeting, consider yourself lucky. There are professionals who can handle this quickly and easily; ditto for a coat of paint.

However, some spaces will require the building of partitions, or breaking down certain walls. And, you must remember what you’re travelling with. Do you have an oversized reception desk? Will it fit through your new doors? Are you on the top floor with an incredible view, but an ancient lift that even you are hesitant to use? Remember, getting to your office is only half the battle. Your clients and employees also need to feel comfortable once they get there. Watching the Clock Moving offices takes a lot longer than most people imagine. If you’re in a rush to move because your lease is coming up in the next three months, then perhaps you want to stick around for another year (or whatever you can negotiate). The absolute worst thing you can do to your business is to move to an average building within an undesirable area because you were backed into it. Assume that moving a small to medium sized company takes 6 months. Bigger companies can take even longer to move. Remember, it’s not just a matter of asking everyone to load up a desk and find a place to sit in the new premises. You’ll need to consider the new carpet you should certainly put in first, and the painting. And, that’s just the beginning. There are power points to move, not to mention your telephone and internet accounts. New stationary is required, and these are all needed after you’ve signed the lease, but before you move. Last, But Not Lease You may have found the perfect spot, and the price may even be right, but you also have to consider the fine print on the contract you are about to sign. Who pays for what, and when? Who is responsible for maintaining the toilets within your space? What happens if your employees want to work late? Will they be granted access? These may seem like trivial issues, but remember you are likely to be signing a lease for a number of years. Not only is moving costly for you, but the same applies for the owners of the building. So, if you don’t get the terms right in advance, you could jolly well be looking at five years of leasing hell. That’s unlikely to have an impact on your business, but it might just. And, on that note, what happens if your burgeoning company suddenly goes belly up next year. What are your options for subleasing, or breaking your lease altogether? You may be filled with optimism and believe that will never happen – so look at it conversely. What happens if you outgrow this space in three years instead of five? The solution you need then will be a lot more than a lick of paint and some new carpets – you’ll need a bigger space and the flexibility to get it. And, don’t worry if you feel overwhelmed about moving. It’s perfectly natural. Just take a deep breath and dive on in. For more information about making your new office feel like home the please visit the Birch Carpets website - http://www.birchcarpets.co.uk/