5 key features to look for in a startup office space

Whether you’re working from a spare room at home or searching for an industrial warehouse space, finding the first professional real estate for your Startup business is an exciting prospect. Here are a few key features to look for at any size or scale.

1. Location to suit your business type

To get started, think about the type and nature of your business to narrow down locations. Retail businesses rely on high footfall, making a city centre location ideal. Graphic design startups, on the other hand, may be fine working out of a coworking space. Will there be suitable access for deliveries? Will your customers be easily able to find you? Where are your competitors located? These are a few questions to keep in mind.

2. Adequate space for equipment

Another factor to consider is the square footage of the space. If you’re working with a small team, you’ll need space for your desks and a small meeting area for clients. However, if you’re working on a larger industrial scale, be sure that there’s room for equipment as well as personnel. It’s worth checking with industrial equipment manufacturers like CMR to understand these dimensions before you start your real estate search.

3. Transportation access and parking

Is the location well connected in terms of public transportation? Is there a bus stop, metro station or motorway close at hand? Industrial units are often located in remote areas, but if they’re difficult to access it may be better to pay the premium for a more central location. This is particularly important if your startup is banking on walk-in referrals, in which case you’ll need to think about how pedestrian friendly the area is.

4. Local infrastructure

In addition to public transportation infrastructure, you should also think about the other services available in and around the area. Remote locations may suffer from spotty internet connections, for example. Be sure you’ll be able to easily receive postal service deliveries, arrange collections and have access to high speed media connections.

5. Built-in services

Finally, compare the services included in your startup space. Don’t sign a lease until you understand what is – and what isn’t – included. Is there a security system already installed? Will there be a secure front desk? What about cooking or refrigeration facilities for your team? Are all computer fittings already in place along with telephone lines and electricity points? Be sure to read the fine print when comparing your options to find the best fit.