Month: December 2015

The Team You’ll Need When Preparing for Your Commercial Move

An office move is a lot of work, no matter how big or small your company may be. Most businesses only move office every three to five years and therefore are not well versed in moving. Successful moving is a collaborative effort, and requires that you hire external services. Here are people you can hire that will help your move run smoothly.

Tenant Representative or Commercial Real Estate Agent

Getting to the new office with your belongings

An experienced and local tenant representative or commercial real estate agent will find the best office space that meets your needs, and negotiate the best possible deal on your behalf, which will save you money. Be sure to define who exactly will pay the representative or agent fees because the landlord will not always pay them. Having one of these however, can give you significant leverage in the leasing process.

Real Estate Lawyer

Hiring a real estate lawyer ensures that all of your interests are fully protected when negotiating and documenting the fine details of your office lease. He or she will make sure that everything you and the landlord agree upon is accurately reflected in the office lease.

Office Interior Specialists

Office interior specialists picking out colors

It’s a good idea to hire a team of office interior specialists when you find your new office. The office interior specialists will help design and build out your new office in a way that is most suitable to you and your business. This goes a long way because your company requires the office to feature everything you may need to operate at maximum productivity.

Office Moving Company

Getting all of your office’s belongings from point A to point B is of critical importance. It’s essential that not only everything get where it needs to go, but that it all arrives on time, and in one piece. A professional moving company will take care of this for you, and help you prepare by packing everything safely for the moving day.

Moving your office can be a daunting task, but these specialists will help you and all your belongings get where they need to go. With a little help, your move will be seamless and your new office will be up and running in not time.

How much space does do I need for my office?

When searching for a new office for your business, there are several factors that influence your decision. The size of the office, rent, and location are all things considered during the process. It’s a good idea to work out your office space requirements before you even begin to look for real estate.

Office Size

Having the right size office wilA well sized desk for an efficient office l tremendously help in running your business efficiently. Too large of a space is a misuse of capital that could be used for something else. Not having enough room may cause you to outgrow the office before the lease is up, resulting in a waste of money and time.

Business Growth Strategy and Lease

One thing you need to consider is your business growth strategy, which can be determined by looking at anticipated growth throughout the term in terms of employees, and the length of the lease you’re signing. A lease of three years or shorter will be easier to judge because it’s hard to predict where your business will be after that. Your business needs may be very different three years from now than what they currently are. Anticipated industry growth and the economic client, also need to be considered. This gives you the growth density ratio, which typically rangers from up to 175 useable square feet per person for dense, larger offices, and up to 325 square feet per person for smaller, private offices.

Required Meeting Rooms

The number and size of required meeting rooms largely contribute to the space needed. These things can be determined by the total number of employees, how many meetings you have at a given time, as well any technical requirements, such as tools necessary for video conferencing.

Determining how much space you need in your new office will help you narrow down your choices and point you in the right direction for office leases. Be sure to determine what your space requirements are before you start your search to avoid problems in the future and get the best office for your business.

Moving Your Office During the Holidays

The holidays bring joy and good will but it can also bring stress. Family comes to visit, stores get crowded and cold and flu season runs rampant. On top of all that, your office is being relocated and it is putting additional strain on you and your employees.

Moving offices over the holidays is never an ideal situation, but business goes on and the move ultimately needs to happen. Forming a plan will help everything run more smoothly and will be the key to a successful move. To avoid unpredicted obstacles, follow these tips and you’ll be in your new office in no time at all.

Getting ready to move while celebrating the holidaysMove during the slow week

Many people take off the week between December 25 and January 1 to travel and spend time with family and friends. That means that week will likely be a slow week for you and your company, and a great opportunity for you to move your office without losing business and creating a hectic atmosphere for you and your employees.

Plan with the holiday in mind

Those few important days that are especially important are the ones that you don’t want to miss out on because of an appointment with the movers.  Start planning the move early so you get the dates you want with the moving company. Then set up an organized day-by-day plan of everything that needs to be accomplished and stick to it.

Tell your clients about the move

Calling and telling the customer about the moveAnnounce to your clients that you will be relocating to a new office. Tell them when you will be officially up and running in the new place so they don’t go searching for you at the previous office. It is also important that you let them know if there will be any downtime on your end while moving so they can plan accordingly to minimize the effects. You can even incorporate the announcement of your move into your company holiday card to give it a festive touch.

Moving during the holidays may not be an ideal situation, but it doesn’t have to be an unpleasant experience. Take the time to plan out the best plan for you and your company for a smooth transition and remember to take time to relax and enjoy the holidays.

Considering Moving your Office? Read this first.

You’ve been in your current office for quite a while. You’re comfortable there and know all the tricks to avoid the traffic to get there. Everything is set up perfectly, but lately you’ve noticed a few things that may be a problem in the future. It’s a tough decision deciding whether or not you should move to a new place, so when making that decision consider the following factors.

 

Your lease

youroffice_lease

Open office for lease

If your lease is expiring soon, then it’s time to review your options. Research current market conditions and look around for different pricing options. You might find something more suited to your company for a lower price and if your lease is up for renewal it will be the perfect time to make the switch. Talk to a real-estate agent who is an expert in your marketplace to help you figure out what’s available.

 

Square footage

youroffice_sqft

Blue prints of office space

Your office is a defined space. You want your office to look full, not sparse, and definitely not overflowing.  If you look around and find there are empty corners or your employees are competing for space, it might be time to look elsewhere. Make a note of rooms not being used or that are being used to serve multiple functions, then decide whether your office still meets the requirements it did when you first moved in.

 

Location

youroffice_location

Better office location in the center of town

If clients are constantly asking to meet at a mid-point for appointments, you might have a problem with the location of your office. Convenience can be a major aspect that your clients consider when doing business with you, especially if your business requires a lot of face-to-face meetings.  Consider the prospect of moving closer to your business partners and clients when debating a move.

 

Employee accommodation

youroffice_employees

Happy employees with their own work space

If you have big accounts that are requiring additional employees to maintain and are being hampered by your current office, you should consider packing up and moving your office elsewhere.  Your office should never impede the growth of your business and staying in an unsuitable office space will cause chaos you can live without.

 

While you may feel comfortable in your current office space, it may not be the best space for you and your company. It’s not an easy decision and will take serious thought, but remember to consider the factors above and to look into all your options.