Looking for a new office is an exciting time, because it usually means your business is growing. Whether you’re moving from a home start-up to a more professional setting or you’re an established business looking to scale up, finding the right office space for rent is crucial.
Looking for a new office is an exciting time, because it usually means your business is growing. Whether you’re moving from a home start-up to a more professional setting or you’re an established business looking to scale up, finding the right office space for rent is crucial. Here’s your guide to getting everything you need in a new office.
Determine how much space you need
The biggest question you need to ask yourself before even looking at office space for rent is how much space you actually need. The easiest way to determine this is to consider how many staff you have. If it’s just you and you’re setting up a new business, you don’t need a lot of space. A co-working space could be the perfect option.
The best facilities are those with a range of options because then you can move around easily as your business scales up or down. If you start with a co-working space, you might switch to more private serviced offices once you take on some employees. You could even consider a hot desking model, especially if you have employees in the office at different times. This means you can use a smaller space but still get maximum value for money.
How long should your lease be?
Another aspect to consider is the length of the lease. Most office leases are usually around 3 years. That’s on average, so you may find some building owners want you to sign on for longer periods. Do you want to be locked in for that long? Again, it depends a little on the size and stability of your business. If you’re already established, a longer lease presents less risk.
However, if you’re just starting out or in a period of growth, a long lease might not be ideal. The premises may end up too small for your needs in 12 months, or worst case, your business doesn’t take off and you’re stuck with an office lease but reduced income.
For growing businesses, short-term, flexible leases are always preferred.
What amenities do you need?
A big part of the entire office experience is the amenities. Quality of toilets, kitchen facilities and more can actually have a big impact on the working life of you and your employees. Whether you lease an office yourself, rent a serviced office or operate from a co-working space, you should always consider what you need.
Toilets and kitchen facilities are the main ones, but there are plenty of others. Do you need printing and scanning facilities? Mail handling, reception and other administrative services? Will you need meeting rooms? When you determine all of the amenities you need, it’s easier to choose the perfect office space for rent.
Generally, you can get better amenities in shared offices or co-working environments, especially when compared to renting your own separate space and paying for fitout.
Location is everything
When finding an office space for rent, location really is everything. Okay, it’s not quite everything, but it’s extremely important. The location of your office is crucial for a number of reasons.
Accessibility for staff: Consider where your staff live, whether parking is available, and what public transport is like in the area. You want an office that’s easy to get to.
Consider your clients: For the same reasons above, a central location is much better for clients. If you’re going to be hosting meetings and inviting clients to your office, it needs to be easy to get to.
Perception is everything: They say there’s a lot in a name. There’s also a lot in an address. The reality is, if you set up your office in a bad part of town, or outside of the city because it’s cheaper, people may not take your business seriously. However, a prime location in the CBD inspires confidence.
Naturally, budget plays a big role in your decision and not all small businesses can afford expensive CBD office rent. Keep reading, and we’ll tell you a little about some alternatives that are available.
Co-working spaces
Co-working spaces give you a desk with a phone, which doesn’t sound like much, but there are many benefits. You also have access to shared amenities, meeting rooms for your clients, and a professional address in the CBD. You work amongst other like-minded individuals, giving you plenty of networking opportunities. Choose a great venue, and you’ll have a café, bar and even catering services with which to impress your guests.
You can get all the assistance you need in terms of reception, admin and mail handling, plus, you can scale up as your business grows.
Serviced offices
Serviced offices give you all of the same benefits of a co-working space, except the space is a little more your own. The great thing about serviced offices is that everything is there for you. Desks, storage, telephony, printers, even interior décor. There’s virtually no setup required on your behalf. Plus, in the right facility, you can scale up and down in size as required.
In a serviced office, you don’t need to spend time and money worrying about facilities management, yet you can grow your business and team culture by having your own dedicated space. All of your costs are included in one monthly bill.
To find out more about the best office space to rent in Wellington, contact the team at Urban Hub. From virtual office services through to fully serviced office space, we’ve got plenty of options for businesses of all sizes.
