Whether your company is rapidly expanding or your lease is up, settling on a new office space is never easy. However, by learning a few best practices, you can ensure the future is productive and comfortable. Use the following do’s and don’ts as a guide during your commercial real estate hunt.

Do:

Talk to other tenants.

If you’re interested in a particular commercial space, reach out to other tenants renting in the same building. They can tell you about issues with the property and habits of the landlord. Since they’ll have no reason to want you in or out, their advice is usually unbiased, and you can use it to inform the decision.

Consider flexibility.

Before securing an office space, make sure it meets your needs both now and in the future. For example, if you’re expecting to hire a new team of employees or create an additional department, you’ll need enough space to accommodate those individuals. If you’re planning to relocate, ensure the lease is short enough, or that the landlord will allow you to sublease the space.

Don’t:

Confuse rentable & usable space.

When the office is listed online, the square feet mentioned might refer to the “rentable” space, not the area you can use. For example, the listed 1,000 square feet might include structural columns, recesses, and a percentage of the building’s elevator, stairs, hallways, and shared restrooms. To clarify, ask the landlord for the “usable” square footage of the premises instead.

Sign without legal advice.

If you show interest in a commercial space, the landlord or real estate agent might ask you to sign a “letter of intent.” This means, while you haven’t leased the property yet, you are planning to. In some cases, this is legally binding. Therefore, you should review the letter with a real estate lawyer before agreeing to anything.

If you’re looking for the perfect office space, contact Winmar Corporation of Lexington, KY. They have been renting out historic commercial properties in the area since 1951, such as the Tate and Bakhaus Buildings. With their long-standing tenant relationships and competitive rates, you can expect a hassle-free experience when searching for your next workspace. To learn more about their properties, visit the website, or call (859) 254-5755.