How to Save Money When Renting Office Space

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.         

         

Is a Home Office the Best Idea

Home Office Getting too Crowded

For many new small business owners, a home office makes the most sense. Being able to work from home is an appealing concept for women today. The cost of starting a business is relatively low and women can feel more fulfilled knowing all the hours they put into work are to build their own business instead of someone else’s.More than 60 per cent of people who start a business are now doing so from home. From fashion design, IT and catering through pet care and arts/crafts to accountancy and legal services – you name it – it’s being run as a business from someone’s home. Most cities and towns will allow you to run a business out of your home as long as you meet certain criteria. A major benefit of using your home as your business location is that you won't waste any time commuting and you won't incur additional costs to rent an office space. The IRS also offers significant tax deductions for a home office used for your business.

But there is also drawbacks to working out of home. A major drawback of working from home is that you can never truly leave work. Also, many types of businesses aren't suited to a home location. The advantages of moving out of your home office boil down to increased professionalism, more space to work and unlimited growth potential. Of course, with any advantage come a few disadvantages, but nothing that can't be overcome. For some people, the chance to move into commercial premises provides a more professional outlook, greater scope for expansion and the room to accommodate permanent staff. 

For some businesses, such as lawyers,  accountants, insurance brokers, & classes,  most clients either want, or need, to come in for face-to-face appointments. Other businesses, such as advertising firms, may be able to service their clients while hardly ever meeting them in the flesh. Before you move out your home office, read on to learn about the pros, cons, and factors to consider when moving to a retail space. There will be lifestyle and financial changes to your business if you choose to do so. You probably considered these factors when you decided to start a home-based business, but you will have to consider them again. If you can afford the move and want to expand your business to a larger clientele and higher production rates, then moving to a commercial location will definitely accomplish that goal.