How to Find the First Office Space for Your Startup

Finding a proper office space is quite a challenge even for an experienced company, let alone a startup. Before you start looking at office spaces, you should decide what you actually need. There are many factors to be taken into consideration. So much is at stake, but you shouldn't rush it. Start by considering your budget and your needs. Here are some tips that may help you find the first office space for your startup.

Determine your budget

The question is: How much are you willing to pay for a lease of your first office space? Determining how much money you can spend on rent on a monthly basis is a good starting point. It will give you the price range, so you will know what to look for. Plan to set some money aside for the hidden costs of maintenance and worst-case scenarios. Since you are just starting your business from scratch, don't forget that you will probably need a budget for furniture too.

If you started your business from your home or a garage, you shouldn't overlook the fact that you will not only have to pay for the rent but many other fees as well. Prepare for the costs of electricity, internet, supplies, etc.

By now, you probably know the amount of the monthly income you can expect. After paying salaries to your employees, try to calculate your future utility bills and add a certain amount just in case. After that, you will be able to assess how much money you can set aside for your rent. Setting a budget is a good starting point.

Start searching for the first office space for your startup

Looking for an office can be a bit stressful, but you can benefit from your new workplace too. This could be a way to breathe in new life to your business.

Think about your timing, size, layout, and location of your new office.

When is the right time to start the search?

The best time to start searching for the first office space for your startup is some three to four months prior to your move. That is the approximate period of time needed to determine what you really need and what the current market has to offer. Right after you make that decision, start looking for a moving company that can easily transport office goods to your new destination. Bear in mind that reputable movers are usually booked for some time in advance, so book your date as soon as you can.

What are your renting options when looking for the first office space for your startup?

The tricky part is determining what type of lease works best for your long-term plans. The thing is that now you might have a certain number of employees, but what if the number multiplies in a couple of months? You are starting from scratch, so there is no way you can predict everything. The safest option is to explore the subleasing options first. The subleasing contracts are usually renewed on a monthly basis, so you won't end up signing the lease lasting much longer than you actually need.

How much space does your startup need?

It is not easy to decide how much space you actually need for your office. That usually depends on your business requirements and the number of your employees. For example, if you are an architect opening your own architectural firm, you will probably need more space per person than an accounting agency would.

Do you have some special equipment that takes up a lot of space? Don't forget to account for that too.

What kind of layout do you prefer?

Are you looking for a traditional office layout or do you prefer an open-space concept? Do you need a distraction-free or busy environment to keep you going? That usually depends on the type of work you are performing, but it can also be a matter of taste.

Modern technology companies will more probably choose an open space so that they have enough room to develop their products and services through constant discussion and collaboration. On the other hand, a young real estate agency owner would probably go for a classic office layout since most of their work is done either by a computer or outside.

If your business means providing services to your clients, you need to be considerate of their needs too. For instance, if you are opening a law firm or legal consultant agency your clients will expect to have some privacy when they come to your office. So, renting an open-space concept is out of the question.

What are your staff's needs?

It would be nice to take your employees' needs into consideration too. You can discuss your future location options with your employees and decide which one is the most suitable for your relocation. Of course, this only makes sense if you have around 10 employees or less.

Think about the accessibility of your new office space. Make sure that all of your employees and your clients can approach it. Check whether there are:

• elevators - if your first office space for your startup is not on the first floor;
• enough parking spaces for you, your employees and your clients - if any of your employees use a wheelchair, make sure that they have a special parking spot in front of the office building;
• working toilets - and special ones for people needing accessibility;
• some kitchen appliances - depending on your working hours, your employees might need to have a meal or two while they are at work. Even if they eat out, they should still have the option of making tea or coffee and have a place where they can keep drinks, fruits, and snacks.

Does your potential office satisfy the technical requirements of your business?

This is extremely important if your business is based on production since many pieces of equipment require multiple electrical outlets. Also, check whether your potential office can support the internet connections that you need.

Finding the first office space for your startup can be stressful, but there is also a lot of excitement to it. Congratulations on your business growth and good luck with your relocation!