There comes a time
when that basement or spare bedroom you’ve converted into an office just
doesn’t cut it anymore. You need a real office space — a place where you can
meet clients without your small toddler crying in the background, a place where
your filing cabinet doesn’t double as a table for the microwave.
And unless your
business is picking up pretty good then you probably don't have that extra
money to rent an office space. However,
there are a few things you can do to help you save money without feeling like
you’re cutting too many corners. Here
are some tips to help you get started:
1. DO THE LEGWORK YOURSELFHiring the help of an agent may seem like the
correct thing to do. But hiring an agent
means there's going to be fees to
pay. So in order to save some money you might want to go solo on your office search. You'll find it easier to find the perfect
space, after all you're the one who
knows more about your business.2. HOW MUCH SPACE DO I NEED? Before you go out looking for an office space, you need to stop and calculate how much space you will need. You don’t want to end up renting a 10,000 square feet office when you only really needed 7,000 square feet. Which would mean you will be paying every month for an extra 3,000 square feet of office that you don’t really need and aren't really using.
3. FURNISHING THE OFFICEWith the great list of used and refurbished office furniture available today, purchasing new is most often a waste of money. Don't go buying new furniture when there is many thrift shops or classified ads that have office furniture that is in very good condition and for a very good price.
4. PREMISES TO MATCH YOUR TYPE OF BUSINESSDon't underestimate the value of appearances. How your office looks can have a huge impact on business & investor relations so it is crucial that the premises you choose match with the image you want for your business.
5. NOT CONSIDERING FUTURE NEEDSRenting office space can be risky because it may be difficult to predict
your future business needs. Renting
the proper amount of space, in a location that suits the business, is sometimes a great risk you will be
taking. The property owner does not share
in your risk-taking, and it won’t be the landlord's problem if the office turns
out not to suit your needs. If you
signed a contract, it’s your space until the lease terminates.