Renting your first office space is a key step toward growing your own business. It’s important that you choose one that will grow with you as well as expand your business, hence why we have provided you with 10 tips to keep in mind before you rent your first office space.
Before you begin researching office spaces and locations, evaluate your finances and determine a budget. Select an ideal figure, but also establish a range that you feel comfortable with so that you have some flexibility. Also, remember to include extra expenses, such as utilities, cleaning fees and parking.
One of the first things to consider when renting an office space is location. Make sure that the space is in an area that has a reasonable commute, is in a desirable area, and is convenient for yourself and your team. If you don’t have a team, make sure to keep these things in mind for future growth.
Once you’ve decided on a location, the next thing to consider is accessibility. Make sure to choose an office space that includes easy access to public transportation, handicap access, elevators and plenty of available parking and bike storage.
Amenities, such as restaurants and coffee shops, are important things to consider when choosing an office space. While having these nearby may increase the cost of your rent slightly, the convenience of having a lunch or out-of-office meeting space at your fingertips is well worth the trade-off.
Before you sign the lease, make sure to check if your building has security. Ideally, you want to rent an office in a secure building with an appropriate security system, so that you have full confidence in your safety in and out of the workplace.
When choosing the right amount of square feet, you want to make sure that there is enough room for the appropriate amount of desks. Any extra room can be used as a storage space, a sitting area or potentially more desk space as you grow.
Before you settle on an office space, make sure to iron out how the space will be delivered to you and who is responsible for any repairs going forward. If your landlord is responsible, make sure that your landlord will take care of these in a timely manner or is willing to reimburse you if you need to fix something urgently.
When signing a lease, it’s important to have a vision in mind of where you want your company to be in the future. Many commercial office spaces require a minimum lease of 2 to 5 years.
Before you sign anything, review any applicable fees or penalties for breaking your lease prior to the end of your contract. You want to make sure that you’re comfortable with these stipulations should you need to terminate your lease early.
Once you’ve signed the lease, start planning the layout and design. The right layout can contribute to better workflow, and a well-decorated space can produce a more pleasant working environment as well as send a positive message to your staff and clients.
There are many things to consider when renting your first office space, so make sure to take your time and review your options before moving forward.
CEO Business Center is perfect for small businesses, sole proprietors and startups in need of an office space or a virtual office space that wish to project a professional image to clients and competitors. CEO Business Center executive office rentals are an inexpensive, efficient solution for people like you who are looking for a virtual office or an office space in the Atlanta area. Contact us today!
