Tips to help you choose the best office for your needs

Whether you’re starting a new business, changing from working from home to an office environment or just looking for a new place to work from, Citibase can help find you the ideal work space for your needs and take the stress out of this move.

Everything we do is about taking the hassle out managing your work space requirements leaving you to focus on the important things – running and growing your business.

1. Flexibility of contract

This is a one of the most important points to consider when choosing your office space. You should always look for flexibility in length of contract. Long, multiple year contracts aren’t for most small businesses so choose an office that allows you to have shorter terms in order for you to better plan and budget for the short-medium term.

2. Size and flexibility of office

It may be an obvious one but this is another key factor to think of.  By choosing an office that allows you to easily increase or decrease the size of your office space within the same building is perfect for the ebbs and flows of modern business life. There’s nothing worse than paying for under-utilised office space and having empty desks; or being crammed into too small a space which could affect employee productivity and contentment. It is much more beneficial for your business to be able to stay within one building, merely moving office space rather than having all the hassle, upheaval and costs of having to move physical location.

3. Location

First and foremost does the location serve your business needs? Does your workforce and business need to be close to main transport hubs? Is it essential for you to be located in a city centre or can you look further afield? Another factor to bear in mind is having an office surrounded by a good selection of amenities for your employees to enjoy can be very beneficial to your staff recruitment and retention.

4. Will your office be fully furnished?

Once you have made a decision on your office space, you need to check what is included in your office space. Is it fully furnished? If so, what is included within that? Below is a list of the basic furnishings your office should have;

• Desks
• Chairs
• Cabinets
• Shelving
• Storage space
• Phones
• Fax Machines
• Printers/Photocopiers

5. Ensure the office is well maintained and managed

It is vital to ensure that your office is not only well maintained with all facilities such as cleaning, lighting, IT and telecoms working, but also that any issues can be speedily resolved by an on-site team. And as the reception team will be the first face of your business, make sure that anyone employed by the office are both friendly, efficient and competent.

6. How much will it cost you?

Make sure you have a clear understanding of the costs involved in your office space. What IT/Telecoms is included in your cost? How much extra are these charges if you go over your data/phone usage? Are service charge, utility bills, moving and fit out costs all included? These are all factors which you need to consider to avoid any unwanted hidden costs.

7. Does your office provider have a network of centres you can have access to?

Not a necessity but something that is very useful to have. Having the ability to use meetings rooms at other business centres within their network can be invaluable to your business and its growth. This sort of flexibility can be provide you with a very useful base in other major cities without the cost of an actual office space