Eight Tips For Renting Your First Office Space

Renting your first office space is a real milestone for your business, but choosing just any office would be a mistake for you. After the effort to launch your business, you need to make sure that your office is one that will support your team and allow your business to grow. 

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1. Decide if you really need one. Many businesses do need a dedicated office space in order to grow, but many entrepreneurs do perfectly well working from home offices or co-working spaces. If your business could work well outside of a traditional environment, you could save yourself a lot of money and time in the early days of your business. 
2. Choose a location near your team. If you do decide you need office space, then the location is the next important consideration when choosing your first office. You need to make sure that the office is close enough for your employees to commute comfortably. If you don’t have any employees yet, choose an office that is close enough to an area populated with potential talent, and has good road and public transport links. 
3. Make sure it’s accessible for others. Think of your clients when you choose a location. Is the building easy to get to from the road or public transport? Is it easy to find the first time you visit it? 
4. Think about the amenities you want nearby. Part of your location choice should also factor in the amenities that are nearby. Your team are sure to appreciate an office that is near at least a few cafes and coffee shops. If you need to visit spaces often for business reasons, like the bank, make sure these are nearby too. While you’re considering amenities, think about whether you want premium serviced offices or will take care of the office yourself. 
5. Have a strict budget in mind. Cost is another big concern. Don’t choose an office that will put your business into debt and stunt its ability to grow. Set a budget before you start looking and make sure it’s one that will let you operate comfortably. 
6. Account for extra expenses. There are many expenses beyond the rent that you will need to allow for. Those extra expenses can add up a lot if you don’t account for them in your budget. Check what is and isn’t included in the rent. Will the landlord or you pay for utilities? Who pays for repairs? Get these spelled out in the lease. 
7. Make sure the lease is clear. Knowing what is included when you rent an office space is one thing, but you also need those provisions to be clearly in the lease. Don’t just take your landlord’s word that utilities are included to then end up charged for something they missed and wasn’t stated in the lease. 
8. Find out who is responsible for repairs. Repairs fo your space can be very expensive. If your landlord is responsible for those expenses, you need to know they will sort them out in a timely fashion.