Finding the right office space makes for happy employees and a thriving business. It can be challenging to find the perfect home for your company, but with the help of FI Real Estate Management, you’ll be able to find your dream office in no time.
Here are our top tips for finding the ideal office space in the UK…
Define What You Want From an Office
This is the first step and most important step. After all, how can you start looking for offices if you are not sure what you want?
Consider the size of your business now and how you want it to grow in the future. If you are planning on adding more employees and growing quickly, you may need an office which provides room for you to grow. If you do not intend an immediate period of staff growth then you may be able to take a smaller space for the medium term.
Likewise, if your business relies on convenient transport links then you will need to make sure you are aware of local train stations, road links and even airports if you trade and travel internationally. Similarly, there may be local amenities which are vital for your business, so make sure you are looking in areas near those.
Browse Locations and Compare Options
Once you have decided on an area – or several areas – that might meet your needs, you should begin the process of browsing.
This is not meant to be an in depth look to begin with. Rather, this is a general overview of what is available in each area including the amount of space which can be rented, the comparative rents between different properties, the different amenities and facilities in each building, and more.
You should also consider the needs of your employees when looking at locations. Easier commutes will lead to a happier workforce, and will also make it easier to recruit new staff in the future. You could also look for a local area which provides employees with green spaces and lunch spots within walking distance to make it even more appealing.
At FI Real Estate Management, we strive to deliver exceptional service and expert guidance, every step of the way. Our team of experienced professionals are dedicated to understanding your unique goals, and can help you determine what is best for your needs.
Office Comfort and Appeal
Related to the previous point, you should look for an office which is a nice place to be in itself. While getting the location right is important for employee happiness, wellbeing and productivity, you should also bear in mind that most of the time at work is spent in the office.
Features to prioritise in your search include an office with the right spaces to make employees comfortable which could include a mix of open-plan and private rooms. Other features such as high ceilings, good sunlight and ventilation, smart interior design, better furniture and accessibility features throughout are also important.
If people are excited about coming to work and feel comfortable when they get there, your business can only benefit. If a traditional lease is not for you – FI Real Estate Management's flexible serviced office provider, FigFlex can assist. View available properties and arrange a viewing today.
Once you have worked out what you want, done your research and identified some potential offices, it is time to start the process of viewing them.
Visiting the place in person will allow you to see all of its features first hand including the likes of access, security, signage and how a fit out might work which you cannot get from online browsing. An in-person viewing will also let you feel how the place operates, experience the building amenities and get a sense for the surrounding area which you cannot get from an online listing.
Alternatively, it is sometimes practical to do elements of a viewing using technologies like virtual reality headsets – although it is worth noting that some of the items mentioned above will not be possible to see if you do not visit in person.
Whether you visit in person or use technology to conduct a virtual viewing, this is a time consuming part of the process which can be lengthy and complex to arrange.
Partner With a Professional Agent
The number one thing you can do to make sure you find the perfect office for your business is to partner with a professional office provider
A commercial real estate company can help you find the ideal space for you as well as avoid pitfalls that you may not have even been aware of. Furthermore, they are likely to have a range of opportunities that are exclusively available to them or not even on the open market.
Finally, using a professional agent will save you time. All of the above steps can be time consuming, stressful and yet more work on your plate you could do without.
At FI Real Estate Management, we build and develop respectful relationships, and will take on all that work on your behalf. Our mission is to establish trust through open communication and a commitment to understanding the needs and goals of those we serve.
Want to learn more about FI Real Estate Management services and start the search for office space near you? We’re here to help you find the right office for your business. Get in touch with our team today.
