How to choose an office that allows for company growth

When planning your office search, one of the smartest decisions you can make is to choose an office that allows for company growth. After all, moving office is disruptive and costly, so finding a space that works for both your current team and your future expansion plans is essential.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to assess whether an office can grow with your business. From working out how much space you really need to making the most of flexible layouts and future-proofing your fit-out.

Serviced offices – just ask the landlord

If you’re opting for a serviced office, this process is fairly straightforward. Simply ask the landlord how many desks the space can accommodate, and whether they expect to be able to offer you additional space when your team grows.

Serviced offices often have flexible terms and adaptable layouts, which makes them ideal for companies who expect headcount changes over the short to medium term.

Leased offices – get professional advice

If you’re considering a larger, standard leased office, things become a little more complex. Here, it’s wise to consult a fit-out contractor, architect, or commercial property agent to assess the office’s spare capacity and flexibility.

They will look at the size and shape of the office, as well as critical services like air conditioning, fire escapes, and access routes. They’ll also review your current or proposed layout. Based on this assessment, they can advise how much room there is to grow within the space.

It’s worth noting that while architects and fit-out contractors will calculate this scientifically, agents will typically offer a less precise estimate based on their general experience with occupancy levels.

How much space do you need per person?

This varies hugely depending on your layout, working style, and company culture. As a rule of thumb, businesses aiming for economic use of space can expect typical occupancy levels to be somewhere between 65 and 130 square feet per person.

That’s a wide range because some companies prioritise spacious, comfortable working conditions, while others aim to use every square foot efficiently. Flexible working, hot-desking, and remote work can all help stretch capacity further.

Make use of shared spaces and building amenities

If your office is part of a larger building, take a good look at the common parts, cafés, and other shared amenities. Many companies use these spaces for informal meetings or quiet working, helping to ease pressure on their private office space.

Flexible working – future-proofing your office

Growth doesn’t always have to mean taking more physical space. If your company adopts a more flexible working pattern, with employees coming in on different days, you can comfortably accommodate a larger team within the same footprint.

Optimising your layout for future growth

When planning your fit-out, consider how easily the space could be reconfigured if your headcount grows. Could you:

• Create more open plan areas by reducing the number of private offices and meeting rooms?
• Reduce desk sizes to fit more workstations into the same area?

Ask about future availability

Finally, speak to the landlord about what’s coming up in the building. Are there neighbouring suites likely to become available in the next year or two? If so, this could allow you to expand into adjoining space rather than moving to a completely new address.

Final Thoughts – choosing an office for growth

So, to recap: choosing an office that allows for company growth is all about understanding your future headcount, getting professional advice, maximising flexibility and ensuring the building itself can accommodate your plans.