All businesses are not alike, and finding suitable space will all depend on the needs of your business. If you are an artsy, creative type, a building located further away from downtown might be a better solution for your business, and in many cases, it might add to your brand. However, if your business mandates you are within close vicinity to the downtown centre, finding space will not only be difficult, it might be expensive.
Office space for rent in most American cities all depends on your location. The closer you move into the downtown area the higher the rents. As office space radiates out toward the suburbs, prices drop, unless the area is particularly affluent. The hunt for the perfect space can be a major task that requires much consideration on the part of the business owner simply because most leases outside ask businesses to commit to longer contracts.
Let’s take a closer look at how to find office space that is perfect for your business.
Size
When looking for office space, most city and state laws have occupancy rates, which determine how much space per person you need. When looking for space, consider how many people plan to be in the room working and then estimate the square footage of space that each piece of furniture will take up. This can tell you just how much space you will need to comfortably work in the office.
Then, make sure to project for future growth. Moving an office is no easy task, and you want to plan to remain in the space a few years. When looking at space, consider whether or not there is room to grow in the office. This is important because many leases last anywhere from one year to seven, and you do not want your office to spill into other areas as business grows.
Go Through An Agent
Commercial real estate agents have the expertise to help you understand the important parts of a lease. Without an agent, you risk leasing a space without really understanding the terms of the contract. With a leasing agent, tell her/him your business needs and they can show the places that fit the bill. Plus, you do not have to worry about talking to landlords who might or might not be as forthcoming as they should be.
Ask To See The Contract
If you find a space that you like, look at the details of the contract. Review late payment policies and breaking the lease penalties to determine any costs that might be assessed. Also, up for consideration is knowing the common areas and office areas. This is important because leasing offices might not include common areas as a part of maintenance. This is also important in terms of being able to place signage and other objects in front of the business.
When looking at the contract, you want to pay attention to what is included with the office. Some spaces will include utilities and other amenities as a part of the rent, and while the rent will be slightly higher, you only pay fewer bills a month. Alternatively, rent that does not include utilities will be significantly lower, but you will pay more bills every month. This is only important for budgeting purposes in that if you are a start-up it might be easier to pay one all-inclusive bill.
Rent That Is The Perfect Fit
Finding office space does not have to be complicated. In fact, with the right leasing agent and your own preparation, you can be in your new space quickly. When looking for space, though, focus on the size of the office and the contract, and you can manage to find space that meets most of your business’s needs.
