Finding affordable office space can be a challenge when you don't have a
lot of money lying around. It becomes especially difficult if you're a startup
or small business with little or no experience in the field. It's important
not just to find a space big enough for all employees and their
desks, but also to make sure it's in a location your clientele will be comfortable
with. If you're having trouble finding the right office space for your needs
and budget, let this article be your guide. It contains helpful hints and tips
on office-space bargain hunting that could help you through your rough patch.
To Recruit Help or Not
Often the first thing on the chopping block when you're cutting back on expenses
while trying to find the best possible office space on a budget is the realtor.
Realtors take a cut of the sale in exchange for their assistance and expertise
in finding properties. It's up to you whether to use their services or not.
Some people are perfectly capable of searching through real estate listings on their own and setting up their own viewing's,
while others find the extra realtor-only database and insider knowledge ends
up saving them money in the long run.
What it comes down to is expertise. Can you or your business partner do it
on your own? If you can't and you try anyway, you might end up making
mistakes that will cost you more in the long run. There's always the nepotism
option as well: if you or one of your employees has a relative that's
either a professional or amateur property trader, you may be able to enlist
their services for free or for trade.
Location, Location, Location
Location is one of the most important factors in finding the right space for
your company, but just because your competitors are located downtown for example, don't feel that that location has to be your only
option. There could be other appropriate neighborhoods if you look that could be much more affordable. While many upscale companies reside downtown, they are paying a hefty price.
To Renovate or Not to Renovate
When you're touring the available spaces, you'll have many more
options if you open yourself up to the possibility of renovating the space once
you've taken over the lease. If you close your eyes
and imagine wider windows or a different interior wall configuration, you may
be able to see your company in a cheaper space, even factoring in the cost of
the renovations.
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