Leasing a new office space may sound simple. How complicated can it be? You might think that all you need to do is find a good space where you can fit a few computers and some desks- but searching for an office space is a little trickier than that. Below, you can find some things to consider or look for when looking for your next office space.
Security
It’s important to consider security when searching for a place to conduct business. What kind of area is the space you’re considering located in? Is there a lot of crime around this area? If there are lots of break-ins, you’ll need to make sure you invest in a good security system. Security systems are a good idea to have anyways, but they are especially important in areas where you need to worry about safety. Before signing the lease on your new office space, make sure it’s alarm-ready. Do some research on different security systems, and make sure you’ll be able to install the one you want in the space you want to be in.
Location
Besides playing a part in determining what kind of security system you get for your office, location is an important consideration for many other reasons. First off, you need to consider what kind of environment you want to be in. You could rent an office in a high-rise building downtown, one in an office park, et cetera. When choosing a location, it’s important to consider the needs of your employees. If most of your employees live in a certain part of town and you open an office space half an hour away, this may lead to turnover as your employees decide to find work closer to home in order to save money on gas or public transportation fares. It’s also important to note that in the suburbs, you’ll probably get more square footage for your money than you would if you rented an office space in a downtown high-rise.
Price
You’ll need to be prepared as you go into the office space search process. This includes creating and sticking to a budget. Be realistic about what you can afford, and perhaps sit down with a financial advisor beforehand. They can help you figure out how much to budget for rent, electrical bills, et cetera. Once you have your budget set, try to figure out how to get the most bang – or rather, the most square footage – for your buck. Again, remember that you’ll be able to get more square footage for a lower price in a suburban area than in a downtown area.
Accessibility
You’ll need to make sure that your office is accessible to all different types of people- healthy, disabled, young, elderly, et cetera. You never know who your employees or your clients are going to be, and you don’t want to limit people from engaging with your business because they can’t access your office. Make sure that whatever space you rent is ADA-compliant with features such as automatic or push-button doors and a wheelchair ramp and/or elevator.
How to Use the Space
Of course, one of the most important things to consider when leasing an office space is how you’re going to use that space. When you go take a tour of a potential office space, be sure to bring a tape measure and a list of measurements of the furniture you’ll be bringing into the space. Take some measurements of the floor and walls, and make sure you’ll be able to organize the office how you want to. Are there enough outlets? Are there spaces for individual offices or conference rooms? How about a small kitchen space? And if the building does not have the kind of space you need, will the terms of your lease allow you to make any structural changes? Pulling up the floor plan online and using a program to help you plan out where you’re going to put everything may help. Using a computer to plan out your usage of the space can be really helpful because if something doesn’t fit, you can just delete it, no harm done, and try something else in that space.
Need Help Finding an Office Space?
Schwarz Properties can help you find the perfect office space for your business! We specialize in commercial and residential Property Management in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. We lead the market for warehouse and office space for rent, and our portfolio also includes retail space, restaurant space, residential, and many more. Please contact Schwarz Properties at 336-625-6076 or our website.
