There are a lot of things to consider when you're searching for the perfect office space to meet your needs. While the cost of the rent and the square footage are usually the top considerations, you can't afford to forget some other small, yet important features of an office space. Follow these five steps to give any office space a thorough going over before you sign the lease and agree to move in.
1. Get Acquainted with the Neighbors
You've likely carefully considered which area in your city to move to, but have you thought about who you'll be relocating by. Take a few minutes to peruse the tenant listing for your building, keeping an eye out for competitors that you may not want to be in close proximity to on a daily basis. It's also a great idea to stop in to see the neighbors on your floor or on the floors above and below your space. You can use the visit as a chance to find out how satisfied other tenants are with the landlord and the facilities and to make sure you and your team won't mind being located near the other businesses.
2. Make a Call and Surf the Web
Even in a major city, you can find yourself in the middle of an unexplained dead zone where mobile devices just don't work properly. The last thing you want is for your new office to be located in one. Take the time to place a few calls and browse the Internet in your prospective office space, the hallway, the lobby and the elevators to see what kind of service you're able to get.
3. Check Out All of the Facilities
Keep in mind that clients and visitors will see more than just your office space, making it important that the entire building makes a great first impression. Take the time to check out public bathrooms, lobbies and waiting areas and cafes or cafeterias located in the building to assess their cleanliness, accessibility and attractiveness.
4. Scout out the Location
Before you sign the lease, take the time to fully familiarize yourself with the neighborhood. Is the building located near public transportation stops for your employees? Are there places nearby to get coffee, lunch and cocktails at happy hour? What kinds of stores and service businesses are within short walking distance? Ask yourself if there is anything missing from the area that your employees or your company might need. For example, if someone from your office currently visits a copy shop or shipping center around the corner on a daily basis, you wouldn't want to move to a building that was miles away from one.
5. Do Trial Arrivals and Departures
Find out what it's like to arrive at the office during peak traffic times. How easy is it to find parking in the employee and visitor parking? Is there a long wait for the elevator? Does the building feel cramped when many people are in the lobby? Also, try going out and coming back at your typical lunch hour time and leaving the building at the end of the day.
While these five things to do before leasing an office space are simple, the information that they provide could help you avoid renting a unit that won't fully meet your needs or confirm that what you've chosen is the absolute best space for your company.
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