It is an exciting time for your business if you have grown enough to require office space – there is the expectation of more customers and contracts to complete and an increased, talented workforce. However, finding the right office for you and your operations can be a struggle if you are on a limited budget and have certain requirements for your workspace. Here is what you should consider when looking for office space to make sure that you make the right choice for your business.
Location
The location of your office might be the most important decision that you make for your business. You might decide, for instance, to find a space in your local area for a shorter commute for you and your workforce, or you could rent somewhere cheaper out of town to help keep costs down (just ensure that there is a secure car park and decent public transport links for staff). Alternatively, if you are planning to grow your business into a market leader, you might want to find office space in a vibrant city that provides a hub for your particular industry.
Accessibility
Ensure that your staff is able to access your new office building with ease. A location in the city center, for instance, is more easily accessible than one in a business park that does not have easy access to public transport links. How easily accessible your office is may impact recruitment – an office in the city center will attract applicants from a wider catchment area, whereas one further out may inadvertently be restricted to those who can access it via car. Accessibility also applies to the building itself: you should ensure that it can be used with ease by any visitors with mobility issues. If you purchase an older building, you may have to carry out renovations to increase accessibility, such as installing ramps and handrails. If you purchase an older building, you may have to carry out renovations to increase accessibility, such as installing ramps and handrails, as well as following ADA bathroom partition requirements.
Renovation
One way to keep the cost down is to purchase an office space that requires a lot of refurbishment work to bring it up to date. For example, stained or missing ceiling tiles can be replaced with newer varieties that have insulation properties. Grubby walls can be repainted in a fresh and inspiring color scheme that reflects your branding. Stained and sticky carpets can be removed and replaced with a hardwearing model for ease of maintenance. You might want to hire an interior design agency for your office refurbishment, like Source One Consulting. By hiring professionals, you can be sure that your renovation work will take into account all of your business’s requirements and be completed on time and on the budget for a stress-free experience.
Compliance with current safety standards
Building safety regulations for office blocks have changed dramatically over the years. If you are considering buying an older building, you might want to look into just how compliant it is with current safety standards and make any additional renovations as required. For example, for many years, asbestos was used in floor and ceiling tiles for office blocks; however, since being confirmed as a highly destructive carcinogen, it is now being removed and replaced with a safer alternative. Bring in asbestos removal specialists who will assess your office and safely remove any harmful asbestos to ensure the protection of you and your staff. You could also consider replacing older models of fluorescent ceiling lighting with LED alternatives. This is because fluorescent office lights have been linked to migraines in-office staff due to being overly bright, whereas modern LED varieties are often gentler on the eyes.
The requirements of your business
You might simply require a location in which your office staff can carry out their day-to-day tasks with access to desks, computers, and the company records. Or, you might want your office space to serve multiple purposes. For example, you might want a separate conference room in which to host board meetings with your team and present new ideas and prototypes to potential clients. Or, you might need additional storage space in which to house products ready for shipping. Find an office space that fulfills all of your requirements for your workspace. Bear in mind, however, that if you are renting an office space alongside other businesses in the same building, you may have to share a single meeting room. If you anticipate using this meeting room regularly, you might want to consider finding a space with your own private meeting room for added convenience.
