Hints and tips
Help is at hand
When the decision is made to move a business from one location to another, the 'to-do' list is far reaching and almost never-ending. We have outlined a few things to consider when the time is approaching.
Rest assured that your account manager at EPS will be able to orchestrate and assist with many of the topics detailed here.
1. Agree and know the area for your office
Have you chosen an area that all your staff /directors have agreed to work from? Are there sufficient transport links?, Are there local cafés, places to have lunch/take clients to?..
Create a list of things that are important to you/ your company about the location of the office before you start your search.
2. How much space do you need?
Do you have clients that come to the office or are you a phone/internet based company?
A typical company incorporating a service that deals with its clients solely on the phone will usually opt for approximately 75 sq ft per desk/workstation. Someone who invites clients into their office may require more.
Work this out carefully before searching.
3. Avoid the inevitable phone number transfer problems
The problem with moving office is that very often you will end up in a different telephone exchange to your current one and be required to use a different number. There are a few ways around this.
i) Consider using a non geographical telephone number such as a 0845, 0870 or even 0800 number.
The majority of large and established firms use these numbers, so it can help boost your credibility, giving the impression that you are more established than you currently are.
It also means that you should be able to port those numbers anywhere you want if you need to move again.
ii) Some phone providers can offer a service which allows you to divert your current line to your new line without the caller even knowing they are being diverted. There can be an expense attached to each call for you plus that extra line you will still be paying for, but then what is each business call worth to you?
iii) Another cheaper option is to set up the current phone to provide a custom voice recorded message to tell the caller to dial the new number. It is even advisable to start your message of with words such as 'please redial our new number...' as opposed to 'thank you for calling...' as many callers hang up on answer machines and won't realise that you are on a different number as opposed to being unavailable at the time.
4. Choose an office that reflects your business
Too many people with a prestigious client base don't choose an appropriate office and instead opt for a price competitive solution. They may save money on their office rent, but risk losing good clients because of the appearance of their office and building it is located in.
On the other end of the scale, if you don't need high quality office space, don't fall into the trap of renting something expensive. That surplus cash is better spent on new advertising, IT equipment and other resources.
5. Does the premises you wish to rent have the correct classification of use?
If you were looking for an office, the commercial property you choose will need to have B1 permission. If it is a shop, and depending o the type of use that the shop is for, it may need A1 or A3 use.
Have a look at our Property Classes guide to gain a better idea of what you need.