March 31, 2025
Nothing says “We’re doing great!” quite like the smell of fresh paint in a new office—unless, of course, you haven’t done your homework. Before you commit to a swanky new space, here are a few oh-so-important things you should do first. Trust me, your future self will thank you.
Spying on the area by day is one thing—scoping it out under the cloak of darkness is a whole different story. That trendy café next door might look lovely at lunchtime, but after 9 p.m., does it turn into a karaoke nightmare or a lonely ghost town? Stalk the place in the evening (without being too creepy) to see if the after-hours vibe matches your professional image. You don’t want your employees forced to scurry home before sundown like vampires avoiding daylight.
Ah, the landlord: that all-important, behind-the-scenes figure who might pop up unexpectedly at the worst possible time (like a cameo in a horror movie). Do yourself a favor—Google them, ask around, bribe former tenants with donuts if you must. Get the scoop on whether they’re the type to fix a dripping faucet before it floods or the type who’s conveniently “on vacation” for the next three months.
Would you buy a car without test-driving it? Then why buy or lease an office without testing the Wi-Fi? The internet is your lifeblood—don’t sign up for any place where your Zoom calls feel like dial-up nightmares. Do a speed test, walk around, see if your phone bars mysteriously vanish near that corner cubicle. Nobody wants a bonus game of “Where’s the signal?” in the middle of an important client call.
“If you build it, they will come”—except they might not if they can’t actually find a place to park. Before you sign that shiny lease, investigate whether you’ll be fighting for spaces with the 5,000 employees from the mega-corporation across the street. If your staff spend half their morning searching for a parking spot (or valiantly battling in Thunderdome-style duels), productivity might take a dip. Or maybe that’s not a dip, but a full-on crash.
This one might sound a bit dry, but trust me, it’s crucial. Once you’re knee-deep in mortgage documents or office lease agreements, “commercial property conveyancing” starts looking a lot less boring—and a lot more essential. Make sure you have a legal eagle (or an extremely nerdy friend) comb through those documents so there aren’t any hidden bombshells. The last thing you need is discovering you actually leased the communal broom closet.
Finally, think long-term. Are you planning to expand your staff, add some fancy ping-pong tables, or install that mind-blowing VR station you’ve been dreaming of? If so, you’ll need space to actually breathe, grow, and occasionally toss paper airplanes when the boss isn’t looking. Cramped corners might be cozy for a moment, but you’ll regret it if you end up doing yoga poses to squeeze past everyone.
New office buzz might be real, but don’t let it blind you into making a decision you might come to regret, and be sure to do these six things first!