5 Tips for Suburban Office Site Selection During COVID-19

In this article, you'll learn:

• Why single-floor buildings are preferred during COVID-19.
• The importance of starting the site selection process early.
• The need to ensure technology infrastructure meets business needs.

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected office site selection and relocation. Some corporations have already announced that they won’t be reopening their offices until mid-2021. While there is still a lot to be known about the long-term economic effects of the pandemic, the impacts on the workforce, supply chain, and government policies are significant factors that will affect the site selection process for business leaders. Although major businesses prefer to have their headquarters in major cities, there has been a current trend of relocating headquarters to suburbs rather than major cities.

Online mover marketplace HireAHelper discovered that the pandemic has caused a high percentage of emigration out of major urban centers like San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles and the Greater to small and medium-sized cities (SMCs) like Scottsdale, Durham, and Columbus. If you are also considering moving to a suburban office site location at this time, here are 5 tips:

1. Support for Employees

To minimize the stress often associated with moving offices, it is essential to discuss with the employees to determine their needs and be intent on supporting them. Not all employees will be interested in relocating, especially if they have families.

For new companies, you may want to ensure that the location is easily accessible to quality talents. You can provide staff relocation packages for new hires and old employees who want to relocate.

2. Building Structure

As COVID-19 remains an issue, many companies are already getting out of high rise buildings to single-floor buildings. This is because they are not able to fit many people in an elevator to maintain social distancing inside the elevator.

When considering suburban site selection, you may want to ensure that the building is a single floor building and has a design that accommodates free movement.

3. Start Early

Competition is fierce in some suburbs. Hence, you may want to start early. Locations like the Hudson Valley and the Catskills are experiencing an upsurge in demand that the traffic jam is so intense around hot properties. To avoid making hasty decision-making, it is essential to start early.

Also, check the neighborhood’s reputation. If your business depends on visibility, you may want to choose a site location that has high demography of your target customers. Certain neighborhoods are often associated with specific industries.

4. Double Check the Technology

Companies that are tech-driven have unique needs when selecting a site. Many companies don't think about their technology needs before they move. The standard of technology that can be acquired in the urban areas may not be easily obtainable in suburbs. Hence, it is essential that when you are choosing a suburban site location that you consider your technology needs. Companies must ensure that their choice of the suburban area has the infrastructure to support their business.

5. Engage a Tenant Rep Broker

Hire a professional to help you get the best deal. A good tenant rep assures fair treatment in the marketplace. Tenant Rep Brokers have suburban experience and connections. Finding an excellent site location can be very tedious, but it is a tenant rep broker’s job to guide you through the process.