Searching for office space in 2021 is a slightly different process in comparison to searching in previous years. There are a number of new factors to consider in order to ensure your office space is social-distancing friendly and able to support a full return to the office post-pandemic. We’ve put together the Top 5 Things to Consider when looking for Office Space in 2021 to help you pick the right space to grow your business. 

1. Location 

In a work from home scenario, the location of your office wouldn’t necessarily be a deciding factor. However, as restrictions ease it is important to prepare for a post-pandemic future and a return to office. Therefore, when looking for new office space, it is important to ask yourself questions such as ‘Can my employees and clients easily access this location?’, ‘Are there direct links to the city centre?’.

In 2021, the surrounding community of your office location will also play an integral part in decision making. Employers are encouraged to make sure their staff feel comfortable upon their return to the workplace by ensuring there are local breakout spaces such as coffee shops, delis, restaurants or gyms.  

2. Size 

The recommended square footage per person in an office space is 70 sqft. However, with social distancing measures still in place, it may be beneficial to consider premises that allow for extra space per person in your workforce. Touching upon the previous point, you should also ensure there is enough space for a breakout area and separate area to meet with clients in order to facilitate a healthy work environment. Finally, you should consider if the office space is big enough to accommodate for growth in your company. 

3. Price

When looking for office space, it is important to consider firstly if you would prefer to rent or buy a space. When renting, you should consider whether you can afford the deposit and monthly payments that follow and identify whether the office unit has a minimum lease period. You should also familiarise yourself with any hidden costs that the property might have, such as maintenance costs, parking, phone line installation and Wi-Fi set up. 

4. Infrastructure 

The infrastructure of an office space is often overlooked. However, it is essential to decipher if the location benefits from factors such as on-site security, 24-hour access and high-speed Wi-Fi. It is also essential to consider whether your company requires and would benefit from a call management service or postal address. Factors such as high-speed Wi-Fi and 24-hour access are integral to office space in 2021 due to the rise of video conferencing and the potential need to communicate with international clients without travelling. 

5. Style and Ambience 

A desk and chair in the office can no longer suffice! Employees across industries have settled in to working from home over the past year, allowing them to bring their home comforts to work. Therefore, it is important to place emphasis on the style and ambience of your office space by including comfortable seating, making use of natural light where possible and perhaps introducing a tea/coffee station to make your staff once again feel comfortable in the workplace.  

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