How to decide the best possible premises for your business
When considering the move to new business premises it is important you make the best possible choice, not only for you but for your team members and business.
Whilst it may seem like an easy decision to make, you need to ensure you have done as much research as you possibly can. Whether that means visiting 20 possible sites or checking all of the health, safety and infratructure features, like 4d-dc.com data centres, of business premises – the more thorough you are, the better.
With that in mind, here are some of our best tips for deciding the best possible premises for your business:
First work out your overall budget
When moving to new business premises you need to consider what your overall budget is going to be. This means taking into account the total cost of the space per month, your monthly utilities and bill and the cost of moving to your new location. Whilst it may seem unimportant, budgeting for all of this in advance will help you avoid any nasty surprises and will give you peace of mind that you’re moving to premises that you can afford. For more information on budgeting as a business, you can visit this guide here.
Consider all of your options and don’t just accept the first place you find
When looking for a new place to operate your business, often it is all too tempting to say yes to the first place you find because it’s easier. Whilst this may be the easy option, you could end up working from a place that couldn’t be more wrong for you and your business. The best way to avoid this is to ensure you have a wide selection of places to choose from, rather than limiting yourself to just one of two premises. If you do think you’ve found the place the first time there’s also absolutely nothing stopping you from saying yes straight away, just make sure you have done your research.
Make sure you’re doing your research
When it comes to finding a new office space, you need to ensure you’re doing as much research as you possibly can. Whether that means researching the area you’re going to be moving to, finding out what your potential office neighbours are like or asking about the building processes and procedures – finding all of this out before you make a decision is the best way to avoid making any mistakes.
Arrange as many viewings as you possibly can
When you’re looking for new premises for your business you need to make sure you’re going to as many viewings as you possibly can. In order to choose the best place for your business, you need to visit each property you are interested in at least once. To get the best possible feel for the places you’ve visited, two or three visits are advised. For a guide on what to look for when viewing a property, you can visit this guide here.
Consider all of the safety aspects
When viewing properties it’s important you’re looking at the safety of the building. Whilst every single place you view will have to comply with certain regulations, whether or not they’re adhering to the rules is another matter. Make sure you are asking as many questions as you possibly can, closely looking at any risks and hazards in detail. If you’re unsure, ask for someone from your Human Resources team to come with you as they will know exactly what to look for in terms of safety.
Think about the location and the accessibility
Another important factor to consider is your potential premises location, especially if you have lots of team members that also need to access the new building. Whilst it may seem beneficial to have your new office in the city, you need to consider whether or not your employees can afford the commute, or whether or not the office will still be easily accessible for them. If a location is going to cause you to lose staff members, you may need to reconsider.
Consider how much flexibility you have with the interior
When choosing your office you may also want to consider how much flexibility you have with the interior. If you’re renting space you may find that you’re not able to make any changes, whereas if you’re buying space then you will be able to redecorate however you see fit. If making changes is important to you and your brand, it may take longer to find the perfect property.
Think about whether or not a virtual office is a better fit
If you’re struggling to find an office space and you don’t have any staff to move over with you, you may want to consider whether or not a virtual office space is a much better fit for you. Whilst you still get a business address, a virtual office means you don’t actually have to work at the premises. Ideal for those that are just starting out, it’s an inexpensive way to give your business that professional feel. For more information, you can visit sites similar to yourvirtualofficelondon.co.uk.
Let your team members have a say in the decision
If you’re struggling to make a final decision, why not get some of your key team members involved? They will be able to help you weigh up the pros and cons of each location, giving you a variety of different opinions and ideas. Whilst you don’t necessarily have to go with the decision they make, they’ll feel honoured to have been involved.
Make sure you’re 100% sure before you make your decision
Finally, you need to be sure you are 100% about absolutely everything before you make your final decision. Saying yes to new office space is a big commitment as most of the time you will be signing yourself into a contract with a minimum of 12 months.
