When you start scouting out potential commercial premises, there really is a lot to bear in mind. At the end of the day, this is a big investment that you’re going to make – commercial spaces don’t come too cheap nowadays and you’ll often find that you get tied into a contract. So, you’re going to want to make sure that you make the right decision the first time around. Here are some considerations to take into account that will help you to find the best premises to meet your needs and requirements.
Cost
First, let’s talk about the cost. It’s absolutely essential that you take the time to create a budget and determine how much you can realistically afford to spend on commercial premises. You need to make sure that this space isn’t eating too far into your business’ profits. Figure out a max total spend and make sure to stick to it, no matter how nice a premise that is over budget may be.
Location
Next, let’s consider location. Where do you want your office space to be? Central and appealing spaces can often come with a high price tag, but you also don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you have a premise in the middle of nowhere and that staff will find it hard to get to. Try to find a good middle ground that is convenient to get to but not necessarily a prime location.
Size
How big do you need your office space to be? This will depend on how many staff you currently have and how many staff you plan to take on. Make sure you have just a bit too much room. This is much better than not having enough room and having to relocate each time you take on a new staff member. Survey the size of each building you’re considering carefully.
Accessibility
Of course, you need to make sure that your premises are accessible to as many people as possible. Most buildings will already have the proper infrastructure in place, or for those that don’t, you will be able to make adjustments. However, you do need to be careful if selecting listed or otherwise protected, older buildings, as some won’t allow for adjustments such as standard vs custom lifts being installed. Accessible additions to look into can include ramps to access the building, lifts between different floors, handrails in various locations that may be needed, and accessible toilets.
Facilities
Different facilities can make your space more usable and suitable for your staff. For example, a building with a kitchen area that can be used to wash Tupperware or plates used during lunch, make hot drinks, and more is ideal. You may also want a building with a spare room that can be used by staff on their break to take a moment away from their desks. Parking is also extremely valuable.
As you can see, there is a lot to consider when it comes to making sure that you find the right commercial premises to meet your needs. Hopefully, some of the ideas and information presented above will help with this!