Here at Kent Office Space, we understand the pros and cons of moving premises. It can be a stressful time for business owners and their staff, so it is important that when choosing your next office space to rent in Kent, it is well planned and well considered. To help you with your decision making, we’ve compiled five items to consider when moving offices.
Affordability
For SME’s and Start-up businesses affordability is key when moving offices or establishing a more professional workspace away from the home.
You may have found the ideal space for the ideal rental prices per month, but it’s essential you establish the overall affordability early on. Opting for a shared office, like Kent Office Space is ideal, as business rates and costs of other amenities are often shared, bringing down your monthly expenditure. You’ll also need to establish if you need to pay any up-front costs, such as the deposit, decoration, or furniture.
Before signing on the dotted line check what is and isn’t included in your monthly fee, such as business rates, office fit-out costs, internet, air conditioning, meeting room hire and waste disposal cleaning. These things add up, increasing you monthly expenditure dramatically, so it’s always best to check what is covered by your rent each month first.
By way of an example, here at Kent Office Space the following is included in our tenant’s lease:
- Air conditioning
- Fibre high speed internet
- DDA access with lift to the first floor
- WC facilities at ground and first floor
- Shower facilities
- Fitted shared kitchen (consumable to be supplied by tenant)
- Car parking
- Cleaning and rubbish collection
- Business rates
- Service charges
- CCTV and Intruder alarm
What do you need to pay up front?
When leasing office space, you will need to pay a down payment, which is usually one month’s rent in advance.
You may also need to furnish the office with desks, chairs and storage cupboards and shelves. It is worth checking with the landlord first to see if they can offer better rates on office furniture. They may have access to discounts with office furniture suppliers, which you can take advantage of.
Security
Whether the tools of your trade are a computer system, massage table, medical equipment or training tools, to be without them due to a break in, would cost your business money, time and inconvenience. It’s therefore vital that a crime prevention system is in place in the property.
When moving offices check that CCTV and an intruder alarm is fitted and that is regularly maintained and tested.
Does the space allow you to grow?
Once you are settled into an office that has the ideal location for you, your employees and clients, you will want to stay put for as long as possible, so the office needs to offer space to grow.
A shared office is ideal for start-ups and SMEs; when you begin grow and employ more people, your business can move into a larger space within the same complex or lease an additional office.
Shared offices give you the flexibility to only commit to space that is suitable for your business, so that you can remain on top of your finances.
Can you make it your own?
Every business has a corporate identity, but some landlords prefer tenants to keep their offices neutral and uniform. If you are looking to get creative with your office décor, check first with the Landlord, otherwise you might be redecorating the areas sooner that you had planned.
Before reaching for the paint brushes, think about making a bold statement with your office décor in some other way. Instead introduce images that represent your business, accessories, a pull up banner, or statement furniture.
Location and access
When selecting a new office space, make sure the location is suited to not just to you, but your clients, staff and suppliers. Being near to main roads, motorways and train stations is essential to cutting journey time for clients and visitors, as well as ensuring deliveries schedules are met. Poor access could cause you more issues than you think.
If possible, it’s best to stick to areas that have been developed specifically as a commercial property, rather than a renovation with rural roads and poor access. Whilst an old building can be beautiful, they may not be practical.
If you are a Kent business looking for a new office to rent in Kent, please contact our team. We have a selection of offices available to rent in various sizes to suite SMEs, start-ups, freelancers and entrepreneurs.