Whether it's because your business is starting up or scaling up, moving into a new office is both exciting and daunting. With considerations such as your budget and design choices to keep in mind, making a checklist can help simplify the whole process. Be sure to include the following:

1. Location and Accessibility

Your new office space should be easily accessible to your clients and employees. If possible, find a place that has been optimized for persons with a disability and is close to public transport. Also, before signing the lease, be sure to check the quality of the bathrooms and parking spaces.

2. Layout and Storage

Your office will communicate the mission and vision of your business to anyone who sets foot in it. Think about what kind of culture you want to foster when planning out your workplace.

Here are a few things to consider when it comes to office layouts:

*   Workstations: Decide whether you'll want to go open plan or have cubicles. The former is good for fostering communication but the latter is better for privacy. Also, providing ergonomic chairs and standing desks demonstrates that you care about the comfort of your employees.

*   Meeting Rooms and Reception: It would be ironic to state that you "put clients first" in your values statement, but don’t provide them with a comfortable reception area. An enclosed meeting room will also allow your team members to brainstorm freely without distracting anyone.

*   Storage: Having a designated space for paperwork, office supplies and other business tools will help keep your office tidy. Devise a system that best suits your needs and store as many documents as you can in cloud storage to save on printing costs.

*   Break Room: A kitchenette with a fridge and microwave will come in handy at lunch time. Some offices even have sleeping areas, allowing employees to take the occasional powernap. You can also have team members vent some pent-up energy with a few games of ping-pong.

3. Communication and Office Equipment

In this digital age, it's crucial to have high-speed internet and reliable office equipment. However, it can be confusing to set this all up by yourself. Consider hiring a professional telecommunication company like Com2 Communications, who can help you set up your systems quickly without going over budget.

In addition to all of these points, keep in mind that you shouldn't buy just any old office solution that you see. Low-quality items will break and you will be forced to spend more money getting them repaired or replaced. So, do your research, take your time, and find things that are both affordable and of good quality.

< Prev		Next >