URL: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/37692
Want to start your business in a hip, new office space? Although it may sound more appealing than meeting customers and investors in your home's dining room, renting office space is one of the more tricky steps a young company can take. Sign the wrong lease-on space that proves too small, is too expensive or is in the wrong part of town-and you may doom your business to an early demise.
Knowledge is key, so we provide you with resources here to help you lease the perfect office-or help you realize that this is a move worth putting off.
Pamela Rohland writes about the joys and tribulations of entrepreneurship for a variety of regional and national business publications. Robert McGarvey and Babs S. Harrison contributed to this article.
Office Space 101
To develop some knowledge before touring your first empty box, read up on the basics.
The Commercial Lease Guidebook: Learn How to Win
the Leasing Game! (MacOre International) by Thomas G.
Mitchell and Warren Jessop. This book offers a walk-through of the
leasing maze.
"Searching for
Office Space". Written for New Jersey but helpful
anywhere, this is a top-notch guide.
"From Home
Office to Real Office". Lively advice from editor Lisa
Gill, this write-up adds more con-siderations to your list. Is the
area safe? Can you get high-speed Net access? You need to know!
Bargain Basement
To develop some knowledge before touring your first empty box, read up on the basics.
Repeat after us: Leases are supposed to be negotiated. Every detail is up for grabs, from price per square foot to tenant improvements.
Negotiate Your Commercial Lease
(Self-Counsel Press) by Dale R. Willerton is a how-to manual with
plenty of information on getting yourself a good deal on the right
office space.
"How
To Negotiate A Lease" by Jan Norman from March 1998
Business Start-Ups.
The Price You'll Pay
After payroll, office rent may be your biggest budget item. Can you afford it?
"12
Money-Saving Tips for Finding an Affordable Office" by
Jenny C. McCune for Bankrate.com.
The Incubator Approach
The best deals on space are often through business incubators, which make space available to early-stage companies.
www.nbia.org is
home to the National Business Incubation Association.