How to Find Office Space for Rent
By Pam Griffith
If you are looking for office space for rent, here are ten steps to help you find out what to look for in an office rental, how to evaluate a commercial lease and how to avoid common mistakes.
- Location. Choosing the right location is very important since it can affect so many aspects of your business, such as employee satisfaction and your ability to expand as your business grows. For example, will there be enough parking for all of your employees and your clients or guests? Is there ample free parking or will you and your employees have to pay for parking every day? Will there be sufficient parking in the future as your business grows?
- Lease Structure. Choosing the right lease structure is very important since it can affect your profit. The most common form of lease structure is the full service lease. The advantage to a full service lease is that it typically includes operating expenses, such as utilities, maintenance and janitorial services. With this type of arrangement, there are fewer responsibilities and your rental expense is a fixed dollar amount each month which makes budgeting a whole lot easier.
- Office Rental Requirements. What are your specific office space requirements? Does the facility offer flexible office spaces to accommodate for the growth of your business over the years? As a general rule, you should allot from 175 to 250 square feet of usable space per person. And don’t forget about storage. Make sure you’ll have enough space to store your files and records.
- Spend Time Looking. Get out and drive around. Look for signs indicating the availability of office space for rent. Contact the real estate agent or the person in charge of commercial leasing and tell them what you are looking for. They can help you find suitable office rental space in addition to retail or other types of commercial property in the area. Some firms provide on site property management exclusively for one office building and can show you the available spaces right away. A common mistake is waiting too long to secure an office rental. If you wait too long, you may not be able to find suitable office space with the right location and amenities for your business.
- Discuss the Lease Options. Are there many options that you can choose from? Are there flexible office spaces that can accommodate the growth of your business? What about telecommunications capabilities?
- Physical Location. Is it easy to enter and exit the property? Can you enter the facility from both directions? Is there easy access to Interstates and major thoroughfares? Does the surrounding area offer a range of dining and entertainment options? Is there a major airport nearby?
- Discuss Needed Improvements. Improvements are a subject of negotiation. Some office suites might be finished with carpeting and all doors and walls right where you need them. You could basically move right in. Others might require a fresh coat of paint and a few minor changes.
- Sharing Space. Sharing space with other firms in the building can reduce your costs substantially. For example, rather than having a separate rest room in your office space, you can use the common rest room facilities and other common areas in the building on each floor.
- Review the Commercial Lease Agreement Carefully. Make sure you understand all of the terms and conditions. The terms and the length of the lease are subject to negotiation. Review the monthly payment amount for the current term and for any renewal term. Most leases include a provision providing for an increase in the rental amount over time to adjust for inflation. What services are included in the lease agreement and what services are not included? Find out if you can have an DX4, interior and exterior sign and if so, what the requirements are.
- Telecommunications Capabilities. Make sure to inquire about the availability of telephone, cable and high speed Internet connections.
If you have any questions about how to find office space for rent near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, contact Pam Griffith of W.E. Griffith, Co. Pam manages Brookfield Commons located at 1150 Washington Road (Rt. 19) in South Strabane Twp., Washington, PA 15301.
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