Whether yours is a large or small business, finding and securing the right premises for your company can be daunting, especially with the amount of office space available these days.

So if you are just starting out or looking to move to new premises, here are some hints on what to look for in your search for the perfect work space.

It’s all about location

 Finding the right location is probably the most important part of choosing any property, but with business premises it really does pay to get it right. You may feel you have an ideal location in mind, but have you thought about some of the essentials? For example, how easy is it to get to the office – not just for you but for your staff, suppliers and potential customers too. Are there good options for public transport to the building for those who don’t drive? And for those who do, are there certain times of day that might mean staff or visitors get stuck in heavy traffic?

 It also helps to consider whether the area is well suited to your company image and if the surrounding area around your chosen premises fits in with the impression and style you are trying to portray. Ask yourself if you would be happy for clients to visit you there?

 If the answers are still favourable, take a moment to check that you have a good selection of local amenities. Your staff may need to buy lunch or have easy access to banking facilities. If you plan to entertain clients or colleagues then a good local restaurant, bar or hotel is also handy.

Quite a lot of people that I work with have also started to use a virtual office (for a business in Manchester we have started using https://www.manchestervirtualoffices.co.uk/) as it’s a great way to keep your personal postal address private, so if you have concerns around that then have a look into a similar service.

The right space for your needs

 When it comes to the size of your offices, it helps to know your exact requirements before you start looking. Will you need access to a kitchen or break out space or would you benefit from a manned reception or phone service and inclusive facilities management?

 More importantly, how much floor space will be needed to accommodate your staff, furniture and any specialist equipment you use?

Think about the future

 Although it might be difficult to accurately predict, try to work out what you might want from the office space in the future. If your business flourishes, will the premises have adequate space to expand? And of course, make sure you are not taking on rental payments that could be difficult in the future if you need to streamline your business.

For those who are completely new to renting office space, make sure you get some good advice from those in the know. Finding and viewing potential premises can be time consuming and getting the right guidance means you are less likely to waste your time with impractical viewings. Likewise, take advice on any contracts or paperwork and make sure that you know the full terms of any rental agreement up front. This will mean no unexpected surprises or hidden fees along the way.