Every company that makes an office move needs to think carefully about location and space requirements. For entrepreneurs and startups, these considerations are especially critical. Companies just getting started often have very little capital. Every penny counts, so they must make an effort to truly slim down to the essentials.
There are ways to do this efficiently and which allow entrepreneurs the ability to think bigger as they start out. It all requires careful planning, though. If you start early and go about the process methodically, you should be in good shape for the early stages of your new enterprise.
When it comes time for your office move, you will need the right movers. If you are living in the New York area, you should call Elate Moving NYC to help you get the job done right.
Things to consider when looking for an office space
There are a lot of things to keep in mind when looking for a new office space in New York. You need to be very careful about location in particular, but there are some great options for startups. Keep the following points in mind as you are looking around:
- The total cost involved. If you are just starting out, the fact is that you probably won’t have any profit for the first year at least. Think about your total monthly costs, including rent, utilities, maintenance, furniture, etc. Some of these costs are fixed and others variable, but you should put them all down and do a best- and worst-case cost scenario.
- Scalability. Your goal is to grow, of course, so if possible you might look for a space that will allow you to expand as your business grows. You might even consider a coworking space as they provide nice, fully-equipped spaces with hot desks and meeting rooms. If you are considering this option, be sure to look around at all the options in the area as some coworking spaces are extremely chic these days, and people are paying high prices for the prestige of membership.
- Location. You might be willing to go to some far-flung part of Staten Island, or a neighborhood that others don’t want to go near while you are starting out. But remember that you might have to have clients come visit you, so appearances do mean something. Try to find a balance between relatively low-rent neighborhoods and low crime ones. Being near public transportation is helpful, as is proximity to clients and partners.
- Office atmosphere. This may seem like less of a priority for people with no profit, but it is important. You want to have a space that will lend itself to the pursuit of your mission and inspire you and whatever staff you have to grow quickly. You also want to be sure that the space you choose will have functional WiFi and other necessary facilities.
- Networking possibilities. Whether you should join a coworking facility during your early years is up to you, but one great advantage that these places have is the ability to network, collaborate, and share ideas with other fresh young talent. Some people consider this benefit well worth the cost of membership regardless of the costs involved. Sometimes it only takes one meeting to make or break a person’s future.
- Virtual work. Some people might decide that an office space is not necessary at all. This is completely up to you and it depends on your priorities. There are entrepreneurs who don’t feel that being in a formal setting among others is necessary. In some cases, people actually prefer to be isolated. It just depends on what your individual needs are. Obviously, working from home would save you a lot of money. But for many people, having a formal office is necessary for networking, client relations, and simply to have a distinct break between work and home.
Make a checklist
If you start off by listing your costs and making a checklist of the things you will need, it will do you a lot of good. It is best to start early–aim to start the process six months before your intended move, if possible. This will give you enough time to make sound decisions and alter any details that might need adjusting without having to pay through the nose for them. And remember, you can always move up in the future.
