One of the first decisions you will make when locating office space for rent for your business is in regards to the size. You will have to know how much you need for your company to operate efficiently. There are several things you must keep in mind.
Employee Space
One of the largest uses of your space will be for your employees, especially if you need offices for staff. You will need to estimate between 150 and 250 square feet of space per employee. If you have executives that require larger offices, you will need to increase that up to 400 square feet. For administrative personnel, they will require around 60-110 square feet of space.
When calculating office space for your staff, you will also have to consider the parking area. You can calculate that for every 3-5 employees, you will need to lease 1,000 square feet of parking space. This is because landlords must require this to follow city codes and ordinances. The parking area can easily be overlooked when you are shopping for retail space.
Group Space
Consider if you need room for meetings. In a traditional conference room, you will need 25-30 square feet for each person. In a classroom design, you can reduce it to 15 square feet.
You will also have to take into account the reception area. You will need plenty of room for a receptionist to work; you will also have to consider how many people will be waiting at one time. For 3-5 people, you will need 200 square feet of space. If you have larger groups of at least 6, you will need to calculate 300 square feet.
Other Considerations
You will have to add in space requirements for inanimate objects, such as filing cabinets and technical equipment. When estimating room for filing cabinets, consider the space needed to open them in addition to the cabinets themselves.
Don’t forget to figure in space for break rooms, bathrooms, storage areas, and any other requirements you may have. You will also have to calculate your future needs, especially if you plan to add employees or equipment.
If you are in doubt about your space needs, hire a space planner to help you find a way to utilize your space in the most cost effective way. You could also consider hiring Austin Tenant Advisors to help you determine your space needs. They will ensure you lease the right amount of space whether you need to lease Austin office space or Round Rock office space.