What to look for in your next office deal
Why it’s important to look carefully at office deals?
Sometimes office deals, like most deals can be too good to be true. Sometimes you may find the perfect location, but the small print locks you into a long term contract you can’t get out of. Other times the budget might be perfect but you may find out later down the line just why it was so cheap. Spend as much time as you can doing your research and reading the small print to make sure you don’t get stung later down the line.
Can you negotiate office deals?
It depends on the company or landlord, but most places will allow you to negotiate, especially if you plan on renting the office for a long period of time. It’s better for the owner to be flexible and earn your business than be strict and risk the office being left empty.
Factors to keep an eye out for
Location
Having your office space close to things like transport links can make life easier for both your staff and your clients. It’s also important to have it close to things like entertainment, restaurants, gyms etc. This adds a quality of life to the work day for your team, but also gets more eyes on your brand as people pass your location and know where you’re based rather than in the middle of no-where.
Total monthly expense
Everyone’s budget is different. It’s important to find a price that works for you when the business is booming and when it’s not. The last thing you want is for the business to take a loss because the office space is too expensive. Find a good balance between realistic and comfortable so it doesn’t eat up too much of your profits.
Facilities
On-site facilities and amenities can be the make or break between a dull office space and somewhere that your staff will love to be. Some buildings will have on-site gyms, rooftop terraces, bars, restaurants and even allow pets, which can turn a boring Monday into some of the best memories of your career. Don’t just look at desks and printers, especially in an era where most people would prefer the freedom of working from home. Give your staff a reason to come in that isn’t just the usual.
Size
Sizing up your office means striking a balance. You want plenty of space for your team to work in, with room for growth, but you also don’t want it to feel soulless and empty because everyone’s working miles apart. More formal businesses may want private offices and cubicles, where as more relaxed creative businesses may be content with open plan spaces.
Landlord’s reputation
A good working relationship with your landlord is important for a good future together. Speak to other businesses that may rent property from the landlord you’re looking at, and meet with the landlord themselves to explain what you need from the arrangement and if they have experience working with other similar businesses within your field. Communication is key to a solid future relationship.
Suitable for future growth?
While the office space you’ve found may be perfect for today, is it suited for your 5 year plan? No business knows when sudden growth might happen, so it’s important to plan ahead in case it does. While you don’t want to pick an office that’s much larger than your current needs, it’s a good idea to factor in growth into your decision making process so it doesn’t catch you out later down the line.
Explore office deals today!
A good flexible office space can be the deciding factor for a businesses future success, so it’s important to get it right when you can. At Spacepool, our platform allows you to pick exactly what your requirements are, filter out what you don’t need and tailor your searches to your needs and budget. This means you spend more time looking at what you do want and less time wasted on what you don’t.
Got any questions or want to get started? Try our platform, give us a call or drop one of our experts an email, we look forward to hearing from you!