How Much Office Space Do I Need?

/in /by

Steps to Help You Determine the Right Amount of Office Space

 

It’s a question we get often, and an important one to consider before choosing your office space: How much office space do I need?

 

Of course, working with either your commercial real estate agent or a professional real estate management company in West Virginia would give you direct access to someone who could help you determine the answer to this need.

 

However, we understand many feel more comfortable knowing exactly how much office space they need before entering conversations with a professional. Below, we’ve outlined just a few steps to help you determine the best fit for your business’s needs, so that you can be armed with a plan when you give us a call.

 

List Out Personnel

First, write a list of all the different personnel that will be working in your office space. From the CEO to the office administrators, make sure that your list includes every position.

 

Identify Needs of Employees

Next, determine what type of actions will take place within each space. For instance, will the CEO need space within his or her office for private meetings that would include 3 or more people? Would an engineer need space for a drawing table? The more you determine the actions and needs of the space, the better you will be able to answer the question “How much office space do I need?”

 

Determine Needs of Customers within Space

Also closely related, it’s imperative that you list all the actions and needs that will be required by patrons visiting your business. If this is a medical office, patient examination rooms will be necessary. Perhaps a separate room for x-rays will be required. Will a waiting room be necessary? Will a board room be needed in the event of larger meetings?

 

Other Space Considerations

Here are a few other important space needs to consider:

  • Will you need a file room or mailroom?
  • Will you need a lunch/break room?
  • Will a kitchen be necessary?
  • Do other rooms need space for sinks (i.e. patient examination rooms)?
  • Will you need a storage room?

 

Factor in Growth

After all of these space needs have been determined, it’s important that you look to the future and consider your company’s growth potential. We certainly hope that you’re planning on growth, and if so, you’ll need to consider that when looking at your space. A general rule of thumb is to plan for 10-20% more space than you currently need if you’re signing a 2-5 year lease. This allows you ample space for growth without hurting your current cash management needs.

 

Plan Now to Save Later

Thinking through all of these questions now will save you headaches down the road when you’re squeezing into too little space or you’re paying for far too much.

 

Stay tuned for our next article in this series, as we will be giving you space guideline suggestions for each type of office or retail space.

 

As always, if you have any questions that we can help you answer, please call us today!

 

1-304-485-8000