Are you uprooting your operation this year for wider or greener pastures? If so, there are a lot of things to consider before laying down roots at a new location. Get started by answering the following questions before you begin hunting for a new office space.
Why do you need a new office space?
This may seem like such a simple question, but getting to the real answer can be much more difficult than you would think. There also may be numerous reasons why you need a new office, and prioritizing them could be the hard part. Whatever those reasons are, they will be the deciding factor behind which office you move to.
Do you want to lease or buy?
If you are in the position to lease or buy your new office space, you’ll need to decide which option is the best for your business. There are a lot of factors that go into this decision: upfront costs, long-term fixed versus variable costs, taxes, appreciation, business growth. You may want to discuss the matter with a financial adviser to determine what will work best now and later down the road.
What are your IT requirements now and in the future?
Back in the 1980s, the needs for an office were quite different than they are today. IT requirements have changed the way many small and large businesses operate on a day-to-day basis. You’ll need to clearly define your IT requirements and ensure that an office space can meet them before signing a lease or purchase agreement. One other thing to consider is what service providers are available at a location and whether you can use new technology in lieu of their traditional services.
Do you plan on expanding your operation?
When you buy or sign a lease, typically it is for a long period of time. The last thing you want is to hire Austin movers to load everything up, get settled into your new office and then find you’ve outgrown it in six months. The process of moving an office isn’t an easy one. Minimize the risk of having to make do with a subpar situation by looking for a place that will work in the future, not one that will make ends meet now. Project out at least 1-3 years to determine the needs your new office must meet.
What type of office space offers the most conducive/productive work environment?
In Austin there is no shortage of office options, from freestanding homes that have been retrofitted for commercial use to single rooms in a high-rise downtown. But not all types of commercial properties will work for your business. Amenities, security and parking are all cut and dry logistics, but you also need to consider the personality of the business and the clients you serve. If you’re in a creative industry, a boxed-in room in the interior of an office building is likely to curb productivity the way it would if a masseuse got a space next door to a loud freeway.
Will your clients be coming to the space?
If clients will be coming into the space, even infrequently, this has to be considered before deciding which new office you move into. If your office doesn’t feel comfortable and look professional, winning people’s business is going to be difficult. A few client considerations include a lobby or waiting area at the front entrance, restroom facilities and conference rooms.
Finding the answers to these questions will help you look at office spaces logically rather than emotionally. No matter how attractive or cool a place is, if it doesn’t work with your answers keep looking until you find an office that does.
Image Source: www.flickr.com/photos/philliecasablanca/3344142642
Original Source: https://squarecowmovers.com/find-the-perfect-new-space-for-your-austin-business