Moving into your very first office can be a monumental occasion. You might have previously been working out of your home, and buying or leasing an office marks the beginning of business growth. It can be an exciting time!
However, moving into your very first office can also sometimes be a little overwhelming, especially when you don’t have any experience navigating commercial property. Fortunately, you don’t have to be on this journey alone. You can rely on the following experts to lead the way:
Realtors
Just as you would rely on residential Austin realtors when looking for a new home, you can also reach out to commercial realtors when searching for new office space. Finding the perfect office space can sometimes be challenging, but most dedicated realtors go out of their way to find commercial spaces for lease or sale to suit your unique needs.
Before you approach a commercial realtor, think about what you want, need, and would like to have. You can then make a list of negotiables and non-negotiables to help a realtor narrow your options.
Think about your preferred location and how many square feet you need to operate your business comfortably. It can also be worth considering features like kitchens, bathrooms, accessibility, and car parking.
Your budget is equally important. In major cities, the square-foot rate for office space is typically between $61 and $595. Armed with all this information, you can approach a realtor and potentially find your new dream office space before long.
Accountants
While it might not make much sense to involve your accountant when buying or leasing office space, it can be important when it involves business funds. Your accountant has a firm understanding of your business’s financial position.
As a result, they can help you work out whether leasing or buying makes the most economic sense. They may even help you determine a budget you can work with. Accountants can sometimes be the level head you need when you’re overcome by the excitement of moving into your first office space.
Commercial Property Lawyers
Don’t hurry to sign on the dotted line once you’ve found the office of your dreams and have been sent through a lease agreement to sign and return. The average commercial lease agreement can be complex and doesn’t always have terms that work in your favor.
It can be crucial to contact a commercial property lawyer for advice. They can review your lease agreement and negotiate favorable terms when required. They can also ensure complete legal compliance so you can sign with confidence.
Property Inspectors
Depending on the lease agreement you intend to sign, you may be required to undertake building maintenance and repairs if they’re needed during your tenancy. That’s why hiring a property inspector before you take over the lease can be crucial.
Commercial property inspectors can identify necessary repairs, structural issues, and safety concerns before you decide to move in. Their insight may give you leverage to negotiate more favorable lease terms or find a more fitting office space.
Space Planners and Designers
Office spaces are not always fit for purpose when you move into them. You may have specific design preferences or need a particular layout to ensure you and your employees can be productive.
Having space planners and designers can be helpful. Rather than trying to visualize how you want and need the space to look, you can leave that task to the professionals and have them bring your ideas to life. Meanwhile, you can focus on the logistics of moving your business into your new space.
Insurance Agents
Insurance may be the last thing on your mind as you plan a big move into a new space, but it can be crucial for peace of mind. The most appropriate insurance for an office space may prevent financial ruin in the event of an accident or incident.
Insurance agents will consider your business activities and office space before suggesting the best insurance packages for your unique needs. These may include insurance for workers’ compensation, property, and liability.
Utility Providers
While you’ll likely be moving into a building with utility access, like phone services, internet, water, gas, and electricity, that doesn’t mean you’ll have immediate access to them. You’ll need to ensure you have accounts so you can be charged for these services.
If you’re moving from your home into an office space, you may need to create new accounts for each service you need. If you’re moving from another office space, you can simply transfer your accounts to your new premises in most situations. Don’t forget to contact your utility providers in advance so you can have immediate access to the utilities you need when you move in.
IT Experts
Most businesses operate with a great deal of technology. Computers, servers, printers, and point-of-sale systems are just some of the many things we use daily. Setting up your equipment in new locations can sometimes be challenging unless you’re an IT expert.
Fortunately, IT experts can assist when you’re planning a move. They can safely uninstall your equipment in your old location and set it up in your new location. This can save you a great deal of hassle and fuss when you know you’re not a tech expert.
Moving Companies
While you might be more than capable of moving your own furniture and possessions into your new office space, that doesn’t mean you have the time. The more time you spend moving, the less time you have for setting up your office and looking after your clients and customers.
In that case, hiring a moving company to help you move into your new office space can make sense. They can remove everything from your old premises, safely package it for transport, and move it to your new location. You don’t even have to worry about packaging materials or hiring a moving truck.
As exciting as moving into a new office space can be, it can also be scary, time-consuming, and stressful. Fortunately, you’re not alone on this adventure. You can rely on some of these experts above to ensure a smooth move into your new premises.
Need office space? OfficeFinder can help! Try us now, our service is FREE!
