Are you a start-up company looking to move into your first office? Congratulations. An office move can be an exciting time for a new business. In all the excitement, you want to make sure that you don’t miss anything important. There are many things to consider before you start to get too enthusiastic!
Location
Your first port-of-call should be to spend a good deal of time thinking about the place. The location you choose depends on if you are in a business to customer or business to business environment. Do you need space for displays? Or do you just need general office space? You also need to think about what your staff need. Your employees will be thinking about how easy it is to get to work, amenities, parking and so on. Once you’ve chosen the best area for your business, you can start to consider further details.
Building Age
When you’re going to visit any new office spaces, you should ask how old the building is. The age of the building may contribute what you can and cannot do with the office, such as decoration. Older buildings can be cheaper to buy or rent, but you must inspect them thoroughly. Building from before the 70’s may have used asbestos to insulate their walls. Asbestos should treated very seriously as it can be poisonous to humans. If you don’t remove the dangerous material, you may end up dealing with asbestos compensation claims! Remember, if you’re unsure about how the age of the building as affected it, speak to the seller and a housing expert.
Damp And Mould
Damp and mould can affect any buildings, of any age. Damp and mould usually appear in places where there is inadequate ventilation or lots of condensation. The worse your damp and mould problems get, the weaker the structure of the building becomes. When you’re looking around, move things out of the way to check for any issues hidden behind furniture. If you notice the problem early on, you can ask an expert to see how bad the damage is. If the damage is minor, then all you need to do is protect yourself from damp and mould in the future!
Leaks And Cracks
So many of us have experienced a leaky roof at some point. The last thing you need is to find out your new office has a leaking roof! If you’re buying and in the negotiation stages, don’t be afraid to ask for a look around. It will save you time and money if you can ask the seller or landlord to sort out a problem as soon as it’s spotted. You also want to be looking for any other leaky pipes or cracks in the building. No matter how small, if left to their own devices small leaks and cracks can create enormous problems!
Once you’ve done the boring bits, you can start to get creative with office furniture. It’s just as important to bring your personal style and your brand image into your new office, as it is to check for issues. Enjoy your new premises!
