Failure to understand all the office leasing costs

There are more costs involved in leasing office space than just the rent.  Many of these costs are quoted in different fashions so it can all get quite complicated when comparing alternatives. It becomes difficult to compare proposals on an apple-to-apples basis. In fact, it can even become difficult for an inexperienced tenant representative to decipher the various costs involved in comparing different office space alternatives.

First of all, there are different lease types including full service, gross, semi-gross, net, triple net and other variations which specify which, if any, expenses the tenant pays.

How about the base year for operating expense pass throughs? This is the base year amount of operating expenses that your additional costs are based on. If you don’t pay attention or don’t know you could find yourself liable to pay for increases over a base year that could be 5 year old and cost you several dollars per square foot right off the bat. What if the building is only 25% occupied? Who will pay for the operating expenses on the vacant space? What is the norm for your market?

If your lease is a triple net lease are the expenses in line with what could be considered normal in your market or are they somehow higher due to extra landlord fees?

There are also different levels of tenant improvements which can be included in the lease. Landlords will very often offer a per square foot allowance for tenant improvements. Is this on the net rentable space or usable area or is it from shell condition or below the ceiling?

Another big one could be the load factor in calculating useable vs. rentable space measurement. It is the percentage of space on a floor that is not usable plus a pro-rata share of the building common area, expressed as a percent of Usable Area. It is also known as the Common Area Factor or the Loss Factor. A Typical load factor range is 10% to 18%. Some inefficient buildings can have load factors as high as 25% or more. Once again, what is the norm in your market?

The answers to these questions can make a significant difference in the overall cost of renting office space. Which is why making mistake number one in this series can be so damaging. Understanding all of the leasing costs and being able to communicate that information to you is an important part of what a tenant representative does. It can save you thousands of dollars in avoiding mistakes. Tenant representatives provide many more services to their clients and there is no cost to you in engaging their services. It costs you nothing, but can save you thousands.

Biggest Mistake Made By Tenants
Second Biggest Mistake Made By Tenants

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The second biggest mistake made by tenants looking for office space is not allowing enough time for the process.  Far too often tenants will not get started early enough and have to settle for less than they could have had otherwise. This applies to tenants who are looking for conventional space and not executive suite, virtual office space, or co-working space. Typically a tenant can be in these spaces as soon as the next day or at least within the month.

Tenants looking for conventional office space under 10,000 should get started at least 6 months prior to their move in date. This will allow enough time to find some good alternatives, negotiate the best deal and have any tenant improvements completed for an on time move-in. This is true even in a soft market. In fact, even more so since there will be many more possibilities to investigate.

For office tenants over 10,000 square feet, at least 9 months should be allowed.  The larger the tenant, the more complicated the process and more time is needed.

For more information on the office leasing process and timing, visit our Office Leasing Process Schedule.

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Two relatively new office space trends that have impacted the general office space market are co-working office space and virtual office space. As we approach the three year mark of the recession and slow recovery, many professionals have had to look for means to reduce their overheads. With conventional office space costing an average of $4,000 per year per person along with the additional cost of staff, equipment, furniture, telecommunications and Internet on top of that, many small companies have found other means to the way they work that does not include conventional office space.

Two of those alterative workplace methods are co-working space and virtual offices. Co-working space is space in which business people can use tables, conference rooms and shared facilities such as WiFi and videoconferencing on as needed and a pay-per-use basis, significantly reducing overhead. In manu cases it is simply an open room with tables or can be similar to a lounge.

A virtual office is essentially an official address, in a typically prestigious building, in which a small business can have a full time identity and use the facilities on an as needed basis.

Both of these alternatives have impacted the office space market by reducing the need for small business to have a full time office space. Executive suites have been impacted hardest since many of these busisness would have chosen full time offices with them. Even after the effects of the recession are gone, many small businesses will continue to use these alternatives, In fact, it is our believe that these modes of office space occupancy will continue to expand and become even more popular, not just with small businesses, but many large businesses as well. They fit the lifestyle of many younger workers better than conventional office space does.

For more information, please see our article on the 21st Century Office Space.

Get Help Finding Office Space

The biggest mistake made by tenants looking for commercial office space is not engaging the services of a tenant representative; thinking it will cost them money. It doesn’t.  A good tenant representative, like the ones we have at OfficeFinder, is invaluable in making sure you find the right alternative, negotiate the best possible deal and avoid costly mistakes. They do this every day and only get paid when you get what you want. And you don’t even have to pay them. It costs you nothing. Most Landlords hire listing agents and the tenant rep will share in that fee.  If there is no tenant rep, the listing agent keeps the entire fee and you are on your own. Tenant rep services will save you money by making sure you do it right with solid information and advice.

Many tenants don't understand what a good office tenant representative does. A tenant rep does more than just find office space. A good tenant rep will coordinate the entire office leasing process from helping you define your needs all the way to ensuring your space plan works for you. In between, an office tenant rep will not only find suitable alternatives, help you negotiate the deal, but also help with information, advice, space planning and lease review.

Here are just a few of the many comments from businesses who have taken advantage of using an OfficeFinder tenant rep:

Our OfficeFinder rep did more than I ever thought that this free service would. I hope that this man gets a Raise. He really went above and beyond the call of duty. I thank him very much.
Elizabeth M. Palmisano - Phoenix, Az

The amount of information I received and the professionalism of our OfficeFinder rep was astounding.  His knowledge and understanding of what I needed was overwhelming. He will always have my business, and I have no need to recommend anyone else.
Chris Van - Level 7 Productions - Los Angeles, Ca

I have never rated anyone at this high of a level but Jeff, our OfficeFinder Rep is exceptional.  I don't know how he could exceed the level of service he has provided for us.  I will not only recommend him to others, I will look for opportunities to recommend him.
Michael Shovlain - New Life Outpatient Center - Davenport, Ia

Thanks for your follow up.  Our OfficeFinder rep has been extremely helpful in assisting us to find the proper offices over the last several months.  We are now in our new location and I frankly don't know how we would have done it without him.
Jenny Makakoa - Xinify Technologies, Inc - San Ramon, Ca

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According to a report by the real estate firm Studley, Chicago’s downtown office lease transactions are only about one-half of what its historical long term average has been. Completed office space transactions reached 1.1 million square feet in the 2nd quarter and 7.2 million over the past 12 months leaving the Class A vacancy rate in the Chicago CBD at 18.5%. With a market size of 120 million square feet of office space in the Chicago, Downtown area, this transaction rate is close to a complete stall.

Tenants are still slow to make decisions and transactions are taking longer to complete.  There are a number of larger tenants in the market now who will have to make a decision within the next several months as to what to do with their expiring office leases. The gap between landlord and tenant expectations are narrowing and deals are becoming easier to make.  As the economy picks up, these tenants will be making decisions and hopefully Chicago Office Space will see some better activity.