Category Archives: Office Relocation

4 Professionals You Need on Your Side When Leasing Office Space

Leasing Office SpaceLeasing office space requires a lot of work. It is not easy. There are many things that need to be considered before choosing the best location for your business. Most businesses lease their space and need to deal with a commercial lease. While it is essential to select the best location that will benefit you and your business in the long term, there is a lot more to do than just finding the right space. A good location is an advantage especially in creating a sophisticated brand image for your business. Your business also needs to have a place where both employees and clients are happy.

The process of acquiring an office space can be lengthy. You need to make sure to allow enough time to complete the process. Understanding the leasing process and timing and who are the people that can help you with it is very important for a timely completion to the process. You need to make sure to get the lease agreement negotiated properly to make sure you don’t have unintended consequences pop up in the future. With the right team, you can get a great space at a fair price, with terms that meet your needs and no future suprises. Here is a list of the professionals who can help you when leasing office space.

1. Commercial Real Estate Broker

Yes, we are commercial real estate brokers who specialize in tenant representation. Yes, we are biased by decades of experience. The basics: Commercial real estate is a property that is purposely used only for business or investment purposes. These properties are generally owned by investors who collect the rent from operating businesses in the property. Commercial real estate brokers are people or the middleman between sellers and buyers. They help their clients with selling, leasing, or purchasing commercial real estate.

Not all commercial real estate brokers do the same thing. A commercial real estate tenent rep broker can work independently, unlike commercial real estate listing agents. A tenant rep works solely for you. The listing agent works solely for the landlord. But how can a tenant rep help you with the office space lease? Aside from the fact that they can help you save time, money, and effort, they can also provide numerous advantages. One of the most significant advantages of having a commercial real estate broker is their knowledge of the market, the players and the ability to analyze lease terms.

Acquiring an office space without the help of a tenant rep is like going into court without an attorney. Something you don’t want to do. In addition, not only do tenant reps work soley for the tenant, the tenant does not have to pay them directly. In most cases their fee is paid by the landlord’s listing agent. The commission is already built into the price of the space. If you don’t take advantage of using a tenant rep, the listing agent will not only take advantage of your inexperience, but also pocket the entire fee.

2. Accountant

Accounting is a crucial part of any business. One must understand the role of an accountant when leasing an office space. Commercial accountants, specifically, are people who are responsible for the efficient running of the commercial elements of an organization’s finances. They help companies with budget analysis, audit reporting, portfolios, and other accounting related to the business. These people can help you understand further how commercial real estate works and what you can do to maximize your profits.

It is crucial that you understand the tax issues, budgets, and planning in your business. That is what accountants can help with especially when choosing the best office space for your business. Most significantly, accountants provide you the information you need in the contract negotiation process to avoid making financial errors.

3. Attorney

Commercial lease review is one of the most nerve-wracking parts of the office leasing process. Even with multiple experiences in a commercial lease, specifications still change depending on the landlord. Every landlord has different lease. Furthermore, complicated terms are also on the line especially in commercial leases. While a tenant rep can review a lease and make business recommendations, getting help from an attorney to review the legal aspects of a commercial lease is important to make sure your rights are protected.

An experienced real estate attorney can easily navigate and review a commercial lease’s legal and financial specifications. They can make the details easier for you to understand. any legal issues about the lease.

4. Architect

Whatever location you choose, an architect / space planner is someone who can help define how to best use the space. Not only can they prepare a space plan, but they can help you identify other factors that can affect the project budget, project schedule, and the general feasibility of the location.

Contacting an architect early in the process is a good idea. Even before you have chosen a location. they can be your guide and added protection in the decision-making process. An architect knows about any construction codes and zoning regulations your business must comply with. An architect partnered with a designer will also help you with modification or renovations on the office if needed.

Other Office Leasing Considerations

In addition to the help you get from professionals, there are still many things you need to consider. These considerations are significant for your business and your employees in deciding on a final location. A list of other factors you should consider when choosing a new office space include:

  • Location and accessibility
  • Price
  • Growth constraints
  • Technology and infrastructure
  • Layout and design
  • Contingency plan

Leasing office space will always be a challenging thing to do. Obtaining enough knowledge, guidance, and understanding will help smooth the way. That is where we come in. Did I mention that what we do is help businesses acquire office space? We have been doing it since 1995 and have developed the finest online network of local tenant reps. We have over 600 of them throughout the US and Canada. If you are looking to make a move, we’d love to talk with you. No obligation to contact us. Hope you do.

Tips To Make Office Relocation Go Smoother

Manage Your Office RelocationAs you are running a company, you have tons of internal and external responsibilities to take care of. From producing goods and services, management of employees, to the satisfaction of customers, a lot needs to be done. However, these are not very difficult once you compare them with one particular thing. Do you know what is more difficult to handle? Office relocation.

4 Tips To Make Office Relocation Smoother

Office relocation presents many challenges that you may not be prepared to tackle. The entire setup needs to go someplace else – all the hardware, systems, and office address will move, and it’s nowhere easy. However, there are a string of things that you can do to make sure the office relocation happens very smoothly without any disturbance. We have put together some tips that you can use to make your office relocation easy:

Plan In Advance

First thing first, you will have to plan out everything before you make a move. The place where you want to go, space available, and means of transportation, etc. This way, you will be prepared for the challenges that you may bump into. Other things that you may consider paying attention to include the vicinity of your new location, packing services you want to hire, and things you want to get rid of.

Make A Checklist

Moving your office can be more complex than you think. This is where an office moving checklist will prove to be useful. This step is a part of the planning process. The checklist can help you get all your tasks done and ensure you don’t miss anything. Make a list of items that you need to be transported and put down all the steps that you need to follow. Using that, you will identify what needs to be done.

Communicate Well

You know your office address is going to be changed, and everybody from your employees to stakeholders needs to know about it. You will meet to share the new address with everybody – so that it doesn’t disturb the cadence of your work after you have relocated your office. This will help you avoid problems and confusion for all concerned.

Get Your Place Ready

You are going to a new office and the it needs to be ready to welcome your team. Make sure everything is set up just as you want before you take your office’s bag and baggage there. This will allow you to get started at your new location without wasting time. Things to check include furniture, lighting, washroom, air-conditioner, and most importantly, safety measures such as emergency and fire alarm.

The Bottom Line

Office relocation can be as tedious as shifting into a new house. Following the tips listed above to make sure the process sails like a boat on a calm river. Make a checklist and do what is required. Tell all your company stakeholders about your new address. Lastly, check your new place before you shift anything to avoid any disturbance later on.

Find out more about office relocation.

If you are ready to make that office relocation, but need to acquire the new office, we can help. Contact us for more information. No obligation and our services are free.

6 Office Interior Design Tips

Interior Design Tips For Your OfficeEach year, the contemporary office setting continues to evolve. The standard office interior design setting has significantly improved from the traditional desk and chair in a confined room, to the colorful open office designs, with large glass windows and ergonomic furniture. Thanks to the continuous evolution of work offices, many companies now ensure that their interiors inspire both employees and their clients. 

Your office interior design can affect how your employees perceive their work environment; many company owners consider office design to be one of the key elements for their business success. As an example, the more convenient, welcoming, and efficient your office interior design is, the more likely your clients will feel comfortable there. The same goes for employees; working in an efficient and beautiful office can help to improve their emotional and physical health, leading to improved productivity and a more positive work attitude. 

Planning your office interior design should not be taken lightly. If you’re new to office designing and you don’t know where to start, here are six interior design tips that can serve as your guide throughout the designing process:

1. Plan To Maximize Space

Planning your office space is not only about décor, but also about providing enough coverage for your employees, office supplies, furniture, and clients. The more spacious your office is, the more organized it will look; a spacious office allows you to have separate areas for your employees, management and even recreation. An organized office space can also encourage an efficient workflow. When employees have enough room to complete their tasks, it can boost their productivity. Make sure your office desks, tables, and office chairs are arranged evenly throughout the space to give each employee the space they need for themselves and their office supplies. A tight budget shouldn’t be a hindrance to provide some sort of organization to your office. For instance, you can use pallets to build wooden crates as containers. That way, you still save money without sacrificing aesthetic and function.

2. Let Natural Light In

Lighting plays an essential role in achieving an efficient and appealing interior office design. The best lighting you can use for your office is natural light, thus, it’s vital that you make smart choices for your office blinds. Some blinds tend to limit your access to natural light, while others, such as semitransparent blinds, can maximize natural light usage by letting more in. You can browse reputable interior designers for more inspiration about which type of office blind is suitable for the space you’ll be working with. The more daylight exposure you can provide in your office, the more chances it will increase your employees’ productivity. Daylight has been known to boost people’s mood, helping them to have a positive work attitude, and using natural light can also enhance your office interior design, making it livelier and more welcoming.

3. Incorporate Your Company’s Identity

Now that you’ve planned out your office layout and how you’re going to maximize the natural light, it’s time to think of ideas for designing your office’s theme and decor. The first thing you need to consider before settling on a design concept is your company’s identity, ask yourself how you want people to perceive your office when they first step inside. If your company is related to the fashion industry, it may be best to plan your office interiors to include recognizable elements of this. You can use colorful walls, prints, and accented furniture to convey that this office is all about fashion and make a statement through styles and colors. Meanwhile, if your company is in line with the law, finance, or marketing industries, it may be best if your office design is more formal and used muted tones to make sure that it conveys a serious and trustworthy business image. 

4. Invest In Good Furniture

In designing your office interior, don’t forget to consider your employees’ well-being, the best way to do this is by investing in good quality furniture. Generally, people working in offices spend around eight hours per day sitting at their desks, it’s very common for office workers to complain about back and neck pains due to this, if their workstations are not designed effectively. The best way to prevent injury and strain on your employees is to provide them comfortable and ergonomic chairs and desks to support their body and reduce eye strain. Not only will the right furniture help them work comfortably, it could also have a big impact on their productivity. 

5. Choose Colors Wisely

Your chosen colors can significantly impact how people feel in the office setting, so it’s essential that you choose them wisely. One way to choose the right colors is by using color psychology. Some studies have shown that colors may have the power to affect people’s mood, for instance, if you use blue for your office walls, it can convey a calming and peaceful vibe for the employees and clients. By contrast, if you choose to use red on your walls, it can give out an energetic vibe. Do your research and make sure you pick colors that align with your brand, while projecting the kind of energy you want in your office. 

6. Create Collaborative Spaces

It’s common for offices to host corporate meetings and client collaborations, when designing your office, make sure you set aside an area intended for these types of gatherings. An office interior designer can help you create an innovative layout that can maximize the floor space available to you, without feeling cramped. Moreover, you can optimize your office space layout by creating a multipurpose area, aside from being a meeting room, you can also use this for events and other company functions. When planning the décor for a multipurpose area, consider including round meeting tables, corkboard panels, whiteboards, and other materials required for business meetings or presentations. 

Office Interior Design Takeaways

Traditional office interior design has come a long way from dim cubicles, to more flexible office spaces that cater for efficiency, convenience and design. 

Don’t forget to incorporate these tips mentioned above, to help you create an appealing and efficient interior office design that both your employees and clients will love. Be creative and start planning your layout today!

Certified OfficeFinder SpecialistWe can help you find the office with just the right design for you, whether conventional or flexible space, we can help. Contact us today for a no-obligation discussion on how one of our local tenant representatives can help.

5 Important Considerations When Purchasing Office Space

considering purchasing office spacePurchasing office space is a big step for any company. You need to consider many things like floor space, price, on-site facilities, parking, and ambience before you spend a considerable amount of money on work premises for you and your employees. 

Of course, you can’t just buy the first office you visit. Walk around a few of the best and try to compare each one before you make your final decision. When checking out office spaces, keep these points in mind:

1. Check The Location 

The first thing you should consider is the location of your office space. You must find a place accessible enough for you and all the employees who will occupy the office.  

Is it close to public transportation and is there parking available? Is the office space in a good neighborhood or business district? Are there any restaurants or banks near your office? By answering these questions before you settle into an office, you can pick which one would be at the most effective location.  

2. Utilities Should Be Working Well 

Before you settle into an office space, first check if the electricity, water, and internet lines work properly and meet your needs.

If you’re not very familiar with these details, it’s best to bring an inspector with you. This way, you can determine if all the lines and connections are properly installed in the office.  

The electrical lines should conform to safety standards, and the main water line shouldn’t have any leaks or damages. Likewise, the internet service in the area should also be working correctly. If anything is not up to par, you should talk to the selling representative about repairs or search for other offices without any utility issues.   

3. Space And Ventilation  

Aside from the main utilities and location, you should also consider how much space is in the office, its layout, and the ventilation inside.  

Is the air-conditioning or heating system centralized, or can you regulate it per room? Does the office feel stuffy when crowded? Asking yourself these questions will help you chose the best commercial space for your new office.

Also, estimate how many people can occupy the office. For example, if you’re planning to move a company with 20-30 employees to the office, make sure there’s enough room for everyone to set up their desks, as well as essentials like filing cabinets, printers, and photocopy machines.  Hiring a space planner for this is both affordable and recommended.

4. Price For Value 

Before you purchase an office space, evaluate whether the money you’ll be paying is worth it. 

Try to factor in the costs you’ll pay for your monthly bills and the insurance for the place. Also, do s lease vs buy analysis to make sure you are making the right decision. Do all the aspects of the space justify its price? Can you still negotiate the selling price of the office?  

Once you’ve calculated all the expenses, you can determine whether the office you’re eyeing is worth its price.  

5. Do You See Yourself Building Your Company In That Space? 

Of course, the most crucial factor you should consider before purchasing an office is if you can see yourself and your company staying there for a long time. You are investing a significant amount of money in an office space, so it’s best to get your money’s worth.  

Consider if the office space is a positive work environment that will help you grow your company.  

Does it fit with your company’s ethos and values, and does it feel comfortable enough to work there daily?  

The office you’ll work will play a part in how well your company will function. It will also influence how efficient your employees’ work will be. So, think about how you’ll thrive in the office you’ll purchase. 

Final Thoughts  

Of course, we recommend you use a buyer’s broker when purchasing office space to make sure all of these and many other considerations are evaluated correctly. Purchasing office space for your business is a big decision and one that requires careful analysis. These are only a few considerations listed here that you should delve into. Once you’ve evaluated all the aspects of the potential office spaces you’ve checked out, you can decide which one is the best option.  

Certified OfficeFinder SpecialistContact us if you would like assistance finding the perfect office space to purchase. Our local reps are not only experts in their market, but also great guides to make sure you avoid any costly mistakes.

4 Ways To Create A More Productive Work Space

After hiring a couple of employees and renting an office, it seems that you’ve done your part, but that’s not entirely true. Although you’ve done what’s necessary, it doesn’t hurt to go the extra mile by helping your employees settle in on their jobs and create a productive work space. After all, once they adapt to the business, their productivity will soar.

More productivity means more work done, and more work done means more money for the company. 

The best part is that you don’t necessarily have to guide them each step of the way. Creating favorable working conditions would be more than enough to help them become more comfortable, and that’s what this guide is all about. Below are four ways to breed productive employees through improving their workspace: 

1. Incorporate Natural Sceneries

You may have heard from somewhere or someone before that greeneries and natural light can improve your mood, and yes, it’s true. Humans have a desire to connect to nature, which is why a study has found that even just a minute with nature can lead to a feeling of relaxation, which may increase productivity. 

While it’s true that nature itself can lead to relaxation, there are other ways to make the workspace much closer to nature, and that’s by getting air filters that eliminate pollution. Of course, you can buy some plants and place them in your employees’ desks, but if you find a custom filter that pretty much does the job, there’s no need to bother with buying greeneries.

2. Provide Proper Equipment 

Surely it must be evident that one of the best ways to improve productivity is by providing the proper equipment. Employees may feel disheartened knowing that the business they’re working for cannot provide them with the necessary tools for the job, resulting in less productivity. 

The pieces of equipment you’ll need to prepare to differ according to what business you run. For most office jobs, employees must have their own desks and gadgets such as computers or laptops. Other than working equipment, you also have to consider buying equipment that brings comfort such as ergonomic chairs. 

3. Mind the Temperature 

Electrolytes, a compound that serves as energy for the body, deplete much faster in hot conditions. On the other hand, excessive coldness can lead to discomfort and even vulnerability to diseases. In other words, the temperature must be perfect. You can either use air conditioners during hot climates or heaters during the cold weather. 

4. Introduce Colors to the Office 

Is there a feeling of relaxation when you see the color blue all around you? Do you feel a sense of excitement when you’re surrounded by red walls? That’s probably because colors can affect a person’s mood, just like nature. 

For that reason, it’s a good idea to paint your office walls with a color that improves productivity, but which color? You may have already guessed it, but red is an excellent color since it keeps the heart pumping, which might be necessary to employees if they somehow feel bored during work hours. Blue is also a great alternative as it exudes a calming atmosphere, which can help your employees focus on their tasks.

Wrapping Up 

No matter how high the pay is or how nice you are to your employees, you can’t guarantee that they’ll become much more productive. What they need is a good productive work place, one that suits their needs and provides them with comfort. While it’s not an easy task, this guide should make it less complicated. However, remember that great things aren’t free, so don’t be afraid to invest in your business and your workforce. 

Certified OfficeFinder SpecialistAnd if you are looking for office space wher you can creat a productive work space, we can help with our network of local tenant reps. Contact us today to find out more. Our services are free to you! No obligation either.

Top 6 Fascinating Ideas on Renovating Your Office Space

Working in the same office space layout for many years is not refreshing, and sometimes a renovation is required. While the idea of renovating an office space is very exciting, the process may have several challenges. It is important to ensure that you have the right strategy when you are thinking of renovating your office space. For starters, it is important to have a flexible budget that will allow for any overheads to ensure that unavoidable overheads will not slow down your renovation process. There are services you can use like CostCertified to help you with your financial planning for the project and QTO Estimating for estimating the costs. It is also essential to ensure that you already have a renovation idea before contacting your contractor ahead of the renovation. In most cases, it is not always easy to decide on the type of office layout you would like to have in your office. Fortunately, we have listed the top 6 ideas for renovating your office space in this piece.

1. Create a Collaborative Working Space

Creating a collaborative office space is one of the unique ways that you can design your office. In the recent past, most companies are incorporating this form of office design because it boosts teamwork in their organizations. Moreover, a collaborative layout is more spacious and more comfortable.

2. Break Out The Office Spaces

Break out space is essential in this modern era. Ideally, it is an office space that is not part of the normal working space. This space is helpful when someone needs some alone time to think about something. This is somewhere that someone can go and relax while at the same time thinking about major firm issues. In the long run, a breakout office space will enhance the productivity of your firm.

3. Create Private Workplaces

Adding a private workplace in your office plan is also an exceptional idea. It will create an additional space where the workers can go work from, for them to be more productive. Ideally, there is minimal noise in private workplaces, which would ensure that the worker concentrates on what they are doing. The private office space will enhance your firm’s productivity because your workers will have an ideal work area.

4. Invest in Desks

Generally, you and your employees spend a lot of time at the office, meaning that you should invest in things that will make you more comfortable in the office. For starters, you should ensure that you get modern desks when you are redesigning your office. Don’t fear to invest in quality desks that will enhance your comfort and that of your employees at the office because they will enable you to become more productive. Moreover, quality desks will help in preventing backaches.

5. Enhance Lighting

When redesigning your office, ensure that you create more space to allow your office space to get more sunlight. Sunlight will brighten up your office, and it will also make it look bigger.

6. Add Some More Bright Colors

This will serve the same purpose as allowing more sunlight to the office space. It will also boost the mood of your workers.

While renovating an office space may not be a smooth process, you should follow the tips we have outlined in this piece to make this process a no-brainer.

Certified OfficeFinder SpecialistAnd if you’d rather make a move, we can help you find the office with just the right renovations for you, whether conventional or flexible space, we can help. Contact us today for a no-obligation discussion on how one of our local tenant representatives can help.

5 Tips For When Negotiating for an Office Space Rental

5 Tips For When Negotiating an office space rentalOffice Space Rental is one of the significant expenditures of a rising company. It makes sense then that negotiating for an acceptable lease is a challenging yet necessary process one has to take. Take note that there are several approaches you can adopt to obtain the best deal without undermining your finances or slowing down your business.  

Regardless if you hired a tenant broker, do your research on the space you want to rent. Are there other companies eyeing the property? How long has the place been empty? These are aspects that can significantly impact your negotiation process. 

And since there’s no such thing as a standard lease, you will find below five tips when negotiating the office space rental you want.  

1. Settle Length of Lease Period (Term)

Property owners or landlords are usually amenable to grant long-term leases. In a way, this condition can be beneficial; however, it’s normal for the company to adjust. When this change happens, you’ll find yourself stuck in a lease with either a sizeable or small space for your business.  

As a tenant, aim to negotiate a short-term contract with extension options. For instance, seek a two-year deal with a two-year extension option instead of a four-year agreement.  

2. Manage Rent Hikes

When it comes to office spaces, it’s unusual to find fixed rent with long-term contracts. Typically, property owners expect yearly increases based on rate hikes found in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). 

If the landlord requires rent hikes, see if you can arrange for a fixed CPI rent increase. For example, your monthly rent is $7,000 a month. Your second year will increase to $7,200 per month, then $7,400 a month on your third year.  

3. Explore Hiring a Tenant Broker

Yes, it’s common to come across stubborn landlords with unreasonable requests. If you’re in this tight situation, you may want to look for alternative office space to rent.  

A credible tenant broker, aka tenant representative, can help your company search for available spaces or industrial developments like the Gloucester business park. These professionals can give you a background and help you understand the dynamics of the market. Moreover, they can help you discover office spaces that satisfy your standards, set up viewings, and go with you to see these properties.  

Tenant brokers likewise help their clients draft offer letters and deal with property owners so you can obtain a sensible lease for your company. 

4. Discuss Office Space Improvements and Repairs

Meanwhile, please note that some contracts will include clauses that state tenants must reinstate premises to their primary condition. 

See if you can modify the provision to say that you will return the office space in the same state at the start of your contract as a tenant. This condition excludes devastation by fire that isn’t the responsibility of the tenant and usual wear and tear.  

Furthermore, if the property requires upgrading or enhancements, who is responsible for these repairs? Suppose you want fresh carpets, new paint colours, or re-arrange the layout of the office area. Take note that many leases state that tenants can only modify the property with the property owner’s consent.  

Request for a provision that allows you to render alterations with the landlord’s permission and that consent will not be unduly conditioned, hampered, or delayed.   

5. Be on the Lookout with These Provisions

Lastly, be on the lookout for these one-sided clauses that strongly favours property owners:

  • The property owner restricts potential assignment or subletting 
  • The property owner expects the tenant to settle tax escalations stemming from the property sale 
  • The property owner has the right to rescind the contract at the landlord’s convenience 
  • The property owner rents the space ‘as is’ to waive compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act or any environmental laws.   
  • The property owner demands a personal guarantee of the principal shareholders of the business 
  • The property owner transfers to the tenant additional operating expenses such as repairs, insurance fees, and building taxes.

Final Thoughts

Keep in mind when negotiating an office space rental, it’s best you carry a definite understanding of what you’re willing to consider and what you can propose. It is also best to have a tenant representative working on your behalf. Always document everything in writing when clarifying lease details that you don’t understand. While this will make the process longer, it will provide you legal protection in cases some of your negotiated terms get excluded in your contract. 

It’s essential to study your lease carefully. The contract can possibly contain numerous details you’ll not understand. When faced with this kind of scenario, highlight each unclear point, and discuss it with your tenant broker or the property owner.  

Certified OfficeFinder SpecialistOur tenant representatives at OfficeFinder do this day in and day out for their clients. Contact us so we can connect you with one in your area. There is no cost for their services and no obligation to request info.

 

How To Find The Best Local Movers To Move Your Office

Local Movers

Moving your office physically is a very challenging task to take on. It takes a lot of preparation, so you can be sure that you’re not committing any mistakes. After all, there’s so much at stake. You can’t delay or lose anything, as this can also adversely impact your business operations. This is why it’s very important for you to make the right choice and not settle when it comes to the quality of the movers that you’re entrusting to move your office.

One of the most important aspects of finding movers for hire in your area is how easy they are to use, and how they can truly make your office move a breeze. But it’s important to consider several factors before you decide on one. That way, you can end up working with the best company that can handle your relocation.

Here’s how:

Ask Around For Recommendations

If you know of others that went through a relocation or office move, ask them for recommendations. Word-of-mouth is usually a good indicator, as suggested by one of the best local movers in Annapolis MD. Ask them for any complaints they may have with other movers they’ve worked with. Chances are because these are people that you know and trust, they’ll give you unfiltered recommendations on the reputation of a moving company.

Check The History Of The Moving Business

When you’re narrowing down your search to include only local movers, it’s easy for you to check the history of the moving company, particularly how long they’ve been in business. When a moving company has survived the test of time, this often means that they’re good at what they do. Moreover, with an office move, you can’t take any risks with a company that just opened yesterday. Otherwise, you might lose some of your office equipment to thieves or damage along the way.

Pay close attention to the manner that they answer your questions or even how they deal with you, as their clients. Any red flag that could indicate poor professionalism, it’s best to move along and work with a more reliable local mover instead.

Make Sure They’re Reputable Movers

There are certain factors that are truly indicative of a mover’s quality. Take special notice of these as a part of your checklist. If you don’t want to end up hiring an unreliable or unscrupulous mover, the one you hire must have the following:

  • They offer a free quote, and have a comprehensive list of moving services;
  • They don’t have regular, or repeated complaints;
  • They comply with the safety standards set by the law;
  • They’ve got a good experience in handling valuables and other belongings.

Take The Time To Really Go Through All Of Your Options

There are many great companies that offer great services. You just need to know where to look. The great thing about going with local movers is that you’re limiting your research area. So, there’s no reason for you not to do deep and thorough research.

It’s important to have an open mind when you’re doing the research into companies to entrust your office move with. You’ll be comparing different moving companies and the different services they offer to see if any of the options really are the best for your needs. Technology is also on your side, as so many movers now have websites. It’s easier for you to make comparisons before first visiting their physical office.

Check For Their License And Insurance

The best and most reputable local movers are those that have all the legal requirements and license necessary to operate. Beyond that, they also have an insurance policy to cover your move.

This is very important for you to check through, as with an office move, you’ll be taking with you valuable business assets that you can’t afford to lose. The last thing you’d want is for your business to go through financial losses all because of a simple mistake when moving.

Remember that relocating also has a lot of risks associated with it. No matter how careful a mover is, there’s still outside forces such as highway robbery and theft. You never know when these risks can happen. But if you fall victim to these, having an insurance policy can help you start over again.

Weigh The Price Quoted With The Services They Offer

Working with the best local movers doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to pay more. While moving can be expensive, there are so many quality movers that can work with the budget you have. They key is for you to balance the price quoted with the services that they offer. You shouldn’t have to pay anything more than you have to.

Conclusion

Choosing the right moving company to move your office is crucial before you move. Moving is already stressful enough in itself, so you’ll want to ensure that you’re working with a moving company that’ll make it hassle-free for you. Once you set up new office, it’ll be nice to open up the moving boxes and see that everything is still intact and present. 

If you would like some help finding the right office space with a great working enviroment, contact us. It is what we do with our network of over 450 local tenant reps. All at no cost to you.

 

Keys To Moving Your Office During The Pandemic

Pandemic move your officeMany people are facing the dilemma of needing to move their offices during this pandemic. As long as canceling your relocation isn’t in the cards, you’ve got no other choice but to just soldier on. Even before the pandemic, moving was already very stressful in itself. This is even more true now that you’re dealing with the added challenge of implementing sanitation measures to ensure everyone’s health and safety. There may also be travel restrictions and limitations that you’ll need to look into.

However stressful it may be to move your office during this time, it’s doable as long as you know how to keep things clean, safe, and sanitary. This article offers some helpful tips for safely moving your office during the pandemic.

1. Hire A Reputable Mover

Hiring a professional moving company is something that anyone considering moving their office needs to do. The best movers will provide different services which should satisfy your needs and requirements. Professional movers have all of the expertise that’s necessary to ensure that your move isn’t just successful, but also safe.

Here are some best tips for moving your office that we got from Big Boy Movers to follow when choosing the right mover:

  • First of all, make sure that your moving company offers some kind of guarantee for their services. It might be a little more costly than the usual moving companies, but if you’re worried that things might go wrong along the way, it’s better to be safe.
  • Choose a moving company that has been around for a while and that has a good reputation. This will ensure that you’re not stuck with a mover who doesn’t follow industry standards, or someone who has no experience in ensuring successful moves.

2. Opt For Digital Tours

This tip applies if you still haven’t made a decision on which office space to move to. Instead of going through the usual process of physically going through viewings or an open house, it’s best to go through digital or virtual tours now. While the experience isn’t exactly going to be entirely the same, it’s the safest that you can do for the time being.

Physical open houses or tours are to be avoided, as you’ll want to avoid crowds. Even if you’re the only one viewing the prospective new offices at a certain time, there may have been others who also did so beforehand. There’s still a risk of contamination, as the Coronavirus can live in surfaces for several days.

3. Study The Mover’s COVID-19 Policy

Before agreeing to the services of a particular mover, be sure that you’ve also spent adequate time to go through each of their pandemic policies. For instance, you may want to know what practices the mover has to ensure that it’s safe for you to come into close contact with their team. Remember, you’ll be packing your things together, and they’ll also be touching your belongings. Also, ask about what sanitation practices they follow for the moving truck, their hauling equipment, and others.

Reading through their COVID-19 policy can help you make a better decision as to which mover is more equipped to do the job during the pandemic. If you’ve got any questions, don’t hesitate to contact them directly. Any reliable mover would be happy to answer any concerns or address any problems you may have.

4. Buy All Of Your Supplies In One Go

Another very important tip that you can follow is to buy all of your moving supplies in one go. Better yet, buy even more than you’ll need. This shopping list should include not just the lacking supplies per se, but even those that you’ll need once you’ve reached your new office.

For example, apart from the usual boxes, tape, and bubble wrap, it might be a good idea to also want to stock up on paper or plastic products like cups, utensils and plates. While packing, you may want to serve snacks to the movers from time-to-time, and it’s also easier to dispose these materials right away.

Buying more than you need is also a good way to avoid going back to the stores. During this pandemic, the least exposure you’ve got to the outside world, the better.

5. Plan Ahead

The goal is always to ensure that your office move goes as smoothly as possible. However, the reality is that this isn’t always going to be the case. Because you’re moving an entire office, there’s so much more at stake for you to get it right. Hence, you’ve got to learn how to prepare for the worst.

Rather than doing everything last minute, have everything settled with the moving company well ahead of time. Think, two to three months ahead. Remember, you’re not the only one who has a lot to worry about; movers are also under a lot of pressure because of the changes brought about by the pandemic. Some of these movers may also have a long waiting list or they may not be able to accommodate your move because of the travel restrictions that may be in place in your location.

Here are other very important questions that you need to cover while you’re planning for the move:

  • Whether you’re allowed to park in front of your old and new office location, taking into account the changes in social distancing procedures
  • Whether or not you’re still allowed to access a building’s main elevator to haul your equipment and supplies
  • Which cleaning and sanitation procedures you need to comply with in both your old and new office locations

Takeaway

Moving during the pandemic can be difficult, especially if you don’t have any experience, but it can still be done successfully. Even if you’re going to enlist the services of a professional, you’ve still got to do your part to ensure your safety and the safety of those who will be helping you during the move. You’ve just need to extend your patience a bit and accommodate the tough, but necessary changes the pandemic brings. Keep the above tips in mind to make your smooth a smooth and hassle-free experience.

And if you are looking for an office to move to, contact us. That is what we do. We help businesses fingd the right office space!

Tips and Tricks To Negotiating the Best Office Space Lease

office space leasePerhaps you operate a small start-up business that has outgrown your home office. Maybe your company is mid-sized and is growing out of the office space you occupy. Or, you may head a large organization that needs an additional facility to support a new contract. Whatever your situation, you’ve realized that you need to lease some office space.

You are now in one of the most exciting and challenging parts of your growing company, acquiring an office space, but alos one that is priime for making expensive mistakes. An office space lease is usually the second biggest expenses after salaries for a business. There are ways that you can do it to get the best office for your business without compromising your budget or other aspects of your business’ growth.

You’ve begun the search for space. You may have used an online commercial office location service such as OfficeFinder.com, a local commercial real estate broker or you may have searched by driving by empty facilities.  Whatever method you used, you’ve found the perfect option for your every need. It is in a strategic location, plenty of space for employees and clients, good security and good facilities.

During the process you have analyzed and understand your business needs for space, not only for the present but for the future too. You know how you will use the space, what are the amenities needed and identified your priorities.

Finally, you’ve decided. You are now ready to move on to the next phase of acquiring an office space, negotiating the best office space lease.

Understanding the Office Space Lease: LEASE 101

An Office Space Lease has three main forms:

Lease is an agreement between the property owner or landlord and the tenant. It has three forms:

  • Full-Service Lease – the rent is all-inclusive. The pay covers all of the expenses associated with the property, such as insurance, maintenance, taxes and even janitorial services.
  • Net Lease – the landlord charges a lower base rent for the space and all of the usual costs that related to operations, maintenance and use that the landlord pays. Net lease also comes in three types:
    • Triple net lease – you share the three additional costs about the base rent. Taxes, insurance and maintenance.
    • Double net lease – two additional costs are added on the base rent, taxes and insurance costs.
    • Single net lease – some of the landlord costs will be charged to the tenant upon negotiation.
  • Gross Lease – this could the most favorable lease for the tenant. The landlord shoulders all of the property expenses that would come across in a net lease.

To obtain a lease for the office space, you should have an experienced guide who will have your best interest at heart and who has negotiated many successful office space leases in the past. A tenant rep broker is a necessity. It’s a sure bet that the landlord or property management company offering the lease has plenty of experienced assistance to help them get an advantage. Shouldn’t you have an expert on your side too? After all, there is no cost to you for their services. It would seem to be a no-brainer.

Protect yourself by following some important guidelines
that can help you negotiate successfully.

Always remember that in negotiating an office space lease, the more knowledge and power you have, the better the outcome. Even with a tenant rep, you will need to stay involved. Find out about the space. Is anyone else looking at it? Has it been vacant for a long time. Aside from having a tenant representative or a broker, it is still important that you are hands-on with the search and you are aware of the important factors, factors that may somehow make a change on a burdensome leasing terms made by landlord throughout the lease process.

Once you’ve told the office property owner that you want to locate your business in their property, you are likely to be presented with a standard lease package. Do not sign any papers at this point but accept the lease for review. Explain to the landlord that you must review the lease with care so that you completely understand it.

Your specific needs are unique and may require significant changes in the office space lease  during negations. Here are a few specific points that any tenant should look for in the standard lease package:

  • An accurate description of the office space should be clearly listed in the lease.
  • How much is the rent and exactly when is it due? Are there any late charges if not paid on the correct date?
  • Is there a security deposit and how much is it? Under what conditions is this deposit repaid upon vacating the commercial office space and what conditions permit the landlord to refuse to return the security deposit?
  • What is the lease period and are there provisions to facilitate lease renewal if desired?
  • What are the terms in the lease regarding vacating the premises early? Do you have the right to move into another, larger office space owned by the landlord without penalty? Do you have any rights to rent additional space if your business grows more rapidly than anticipated?
  • Is there a cleaning deposit for preparing the space for the next tenant when you vacate the premises and is this fee returned if you leave the premises in the same condition as upon delivery?
  • Identify verbiage defining how much parking may be used by the tenant and what, if any, number of spaces can be marked as reserved.
  • Review all references to use of common space. You should have the right to enter and egress at any time of day or night and access to all common spaces unless specific restrictions are contained in the lease. Also, watch out for clauses regarding common space upkeep or charges.
  • The lease should clearly state what utilities are the responsibility of the tenant as well as what should be paid by the landlord. The same goes for charges for maintenance and repairs for any problems not the result of misuse or neglect on the part of the tenant.
  • Is there are space in the lease or reference to an addendum where notes regarding the condition of the property at delivery may be noted.
  • Is there any defined allowance for tenant improvements?
  • What rights to signage are included in the office space lease?
  • Does the lease provide for delivery of a punch list after tenant improvements are accomplished?

Some suggestions to help you become a little more of a lease-expert

Length of Lease and Renewal Options:

The initial office lease period should give you enough time to settle in and determine how this location works for your business but not so long that you must pay a stiff penalty if you decide to move on after two or three years. Try to negotiate a shorter-term lease with a renewal options. Keep in mind that your company’s needs may change, you might get sucked into an office space lease that is too big or small, or with a rent that is above-market if demand for space later drops.

Rent Increases

Watch out for the clause that establishes the amount or percentage at which rent can go up and the specific periods at which this change can occur. Rent should not increase more than annually and should have a reasonable cap set on it so that the cost of leasing the office space does not become outrageous in a short period of time. Usually, landlords refer the annual increases on the percentage increases in Consumer Price Index or CPI, try to arrange for a CPI rent increase that does not set in for at least the first two years of the term. Then, you can try to have the cap on the amount of each year’s increase.

Cost Transferal

Be sure you and your office lease broker understand exactly what costs can be passed long to you or what percentage of those costs can be passed along. Examples can include property tax increases, specific repair costs not caused by your occupancy and the increasing cost of services to the building. Your rent increase should cover the costs associated with increased service costs or taxes and only those building repairs caused by you should be passed along to you.

Landlord’s Right to Early Termination

Check what verbiage is used regarding what, if any, rights the landlord has to terminate your office space lease early and what conditions must be met to justify such early termination. If this clause is too liberal in favor of the landlord, you could easily find yourself seeking different office space much sooner than your business plan set forth. This can be expensive and time consuming for your business and can be avoided with the right wording in this area of the lease.

Repairs, replacements and improvements:

Be mindful about the office space lease clause that says that the tenant must restore the property to its original condition. If this was mentioned to the agreement, try to state that it will be returned to in same condition at the beginning of the least EXCLUDING (1) ordinary wear and tear, (2) damage by fire and untoward incidents, loss or casualty not the fault of the  tenant, (3) improvements approved by the Landlords.

Payment from Corporate Owners:

Watch out for verbiage indicating payment can be sought from the corporate owners rather than the corporation itself.  While some office space owners like to have this protection in the event a business becomes financially insolvent, it does give a landlord too much recourse into the business owners’ private finances to allow entry into the final lease.

One-Sided Lease Provisions:

Be cautious about the landlords that use form lease agreement that can be one-sided. Negotiate on the provisions that are favorable to the landlord. Below are the common types of provisions that one-sided and landlord favorable:

  • Passing on to the tenants, without limit, increased operating costs like property taxes, repairs and or insurance expenses.
  • Landlords disclaiming responsibility for compliance with environmental laws or government act (e.g., disabilities acts)
  • Requiring tenants to pay for tax increases
  • Landlords reserving rights to terminate the lease at their convenience.
  • Prohibiting subletting and assignments.

These are only a few of the clauses that an office space renter should be on the alert for. Turn to your office space broker for the best possible advice on all areas of the lease and lease negotiation process.

There are dozens of additional points that will stand out in the lease. Some of them may be points you do not understand. Make sure to highlight these for investigation. Another verbiage may better meet your needs. Highlight each portion of the lease that either is unclear, misleading or requires negotiation. These are items that you will need to cover with the help of your leasing team, especially your tenant rep.

When negotiating an office space lease or rental, you will find that the devil is hiding in the details and these can cost you lots of money over the life of the lease. Turn to your office lease broker, tenant represetnative, for experienced advice regarding how to negotiate out these demons before signing an office space lease. An old idiom says “God is in the details” which means that attention paid to small things has big rewards. In this case, your goal is to turn those devilish little hidden clauses into the best possible agreement with the landlord for your office space so that everyone can live with the lease for the life of the lease.

We are here to help. It is what we do every day. If you want an expert to help you get the right space with the best possible terms, contact us. We’d be happy to help