If you're working from home or a shared office space and feel unprofessional, lonely, or short on room, now is the time to consider moving to a commercial location.
According to a recent survey of over 1000 small business decision makers conducted by Australia's commercial property platform realcommercial.com.au, the most popular reasons for companies to move from a home office to their first commercial premises were:
Being unable to function in a suitable environment qatar houses
Since a home office is less competent,
a scarcity of storage space; and
Isolation feelings.
Concerns regarding privacy, a desire to feel more in control, and a lack of storage were main factors for companies operating from shared workspaces to migrate to their own commercial premises. Retail, lower-grade offices, and industrial/warehouse spaces of less than 500 square meters were the most sought-after properties.
The ability to lease a better property than they could afford to purchase or one in a better place, as well as the flexibility to switch premises as their business needs alter, were among the benefits mentioned by survey participants.
Getting more control over the amount of time spent in a house, more control over improvements made to a property, and expectations of capital growth were all seen as advantages of purchasing a property. The physical transfer, organizing finance, the fit-out, and finding a property are the most stressful aspects of moving offices, according to the report. Realcommercial.com.au is a website dedicated to commercial real estate in Australia. Small business owners now have an additional opportunity, according to Head of Sales Isaac Smith, to move into their first commercial space.
"With the recent Federal Budget opportunity for small business owners to write off assets up to $20,000," he said, "now may be the best time to consider moving from your home office into your first commercial premises."
"Small business owners have a lot on their plates," he said, "but we've made it easier for you by posting business-related tips, tricks, and advice on our blog at realcommercial.com.au."
The following are Realcommercial.com.au's top five tips for companies moving into their first commercial space:
1. Place - Consider which location will be better for your business. Do you want to be near big clients or do you want to draw passing traffic?
2. Leasing vs. Purchasing - Do you want to lease or purchase? Leasing allows you to shift as your business needs change, and it also allows you to base yourself in areas that you couldn't afford to buy; buying gives you long-term certainty, future capital development, and more leverage over the improvements you want to make to the house.
3. Budget - Include removalists, telco and service connections, fit-out, new equipment and property upgrades, monthly lease costs [and bank guarantee], and insurance in your budget for set-up and continuing costs. Remember that an open plan office needs 10-12 square meters per employee, and get creative with a fit-out that fits your brand - it doesn't have to be expensive, so look at a variety of furniture stores, not just office furniture outlets.
4. Find an agent - Find a commercial agent who 'gets' your company and understands what you want from your commercial space. Not only will this save you time by assisting you in narrowing your quest and locating appropriate assets, but it will also allow you to negotiate lease conditions, rent-free periods, and other lease benefits with the landlord through your agent.
5. Marketing - Make the transition to a commercial location a marketing opportunity for your company by hosting an office warming or using your change of address notification to inform current and former clients how you can assist them.