Looking for a new workspace? There are a few things you should pay attention to. You can already answer plenty of questions in advance, so you can make the right choice straight away.
Looking to rent a workspace?
Besides location and rent, there are plenty of other things to consider before you sign the lease. To help you along, we’ve listed the most important points to keep in mind when renting a workspace! Read through them carefully. That way, you’ll avoid unpleasant surprises later on, or ending up with a workspace that doesn’t actually suit your business.
1. Flexibility
A flexible lease matters a great deal to many entrepreneurs. After all, what if you want to move or cancel at some point, but you’re locked into a lease for months or even years? That’s not a situation you want to be in. So be sure to ask in advance about the terms and notice period of a workspace.
2. Budget
Startup entrepreneurs in particular often have a limited budget. Fortunately, there are now plenty of options for finding an affordable workspace. For instance, there are many business centres where you can rent your own space and share the facilities with other companies. That’s a lot more cost-effective than your own building!
3. Furniture
Think about whether you prefer a furnished or an unfurnished space. An unfurnished space is great if you have the budget to set everything up yourself. That way, you can decorate your workspace entirely to your own taste. But furnishing an office yourself also takes time — and time is precious when you’re running a business. So it’s worth considering simply looking for a workspace that’s already furnished. That way, you can get started almost immediately.
4. Facilities
What facilities are available? A reception is desirable if you regularly welcome clients at your workspace. Also ask about parking, meeting rooms, coffee/tea facilities and anything else you consider important.
5. Additional costs
Don’t fixate purely on the rental price. First find out what other costs come on top of it. What about electricity, internet, telephony, service charges and cleaning costs, for example? Are these included in the rent, or do you need to purchase certain services separately? Only once you’ve mapped this out for yourself will you get a clear picture of how much you’re really spending on your workspace each month.
6. Rules
Ask about the rules that apply within the building. We sometimes come across landlords who, for example, don’t allow tenants to receive clients on site. That’s inconvenient, especially if you wanted to rent that particular office space precisely because of its representative look and feel. Also consider whether you need 24-hour access, and check whether that’s possible.
7. Room to grow
If you’re a sole proprietor working on your own and plan to keep it that way for the time being, that’s fine. But many entrepreneurs want to expand and, at some point, need (additional) staff to do so. If that applies to you too, it’s smart to look at the growth options a workspace offers. Is there the option to ‘upgrade’ to a larger office? Might you be able to rent additional space later on? If not, you may be better off continuing your search for a workspace that does give your business room to grow.
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