Renewing vs. Moving Offices: Which is Best For Growth? Profitability?

1. HOW WELL DOES THE SPACE WORK FOR YOUR NEEDS TODAY? 5 YEARS FROM NOW?

Have your business needs and headcount changed since you signed your lease? Do you expect it to change in the next few years? Are you growing?

For businesses who have too little or too much space, first, check with your landlord to see if you’re able to expand your current space or sublease part of it. If you are on track to grow not only in value but people as well, you need to account for that growth in your next office location. Locking yourself into a 7+ lease that either does not allow you to grow or waste empty space for a lack of growth really can hurt your profitability!

A change in headcount is not the only reason to switch things up though. How modern businesses utilize office space has evolved. 8×8 cubicles with tall partitions are no longer the (modern) norm, nor are they the most collaborative. More people are working remotely, and open offices are more popular than ever. As a result, square footage requirements have been shrinking. It may be cost effective to move to a smaller space — without compromising the comfort of your team.

What if your office feels ancient and outdated? Talk to your landlord and see if you can agree on terms and costs to renew with an office refresh. Bringing in new furniture and fixtures, removing built-in desks to open up the floor plan and painting the walls can completely transform the space. This is one of the best options to keep costs low and modernize your office. There is a downside; This option entails temporarily moving while your workspace is updated, which can be disruptive and inefficient. Every option has pros & cons and the CEO an senior leaders need to sit down with your High Growth CFO to see the options and how it affects your financials.

2. CAN YOU AFFORD TO MOVE?

Break down the numbers before you break ties with your landlord. Moving can be an expensive process, especially with setup and construction costs. The costs incurred from buying new furniture and installing an IT/phone system could reach $10 – $20 per square foot. Once you find a few spaces that suit your needs, you can consult with a few general contractors to create a construction budget.

Tally up these extra costs to see if leaving your space makes financial sense. If it’s cost-prohibitive to move, you may be better off renewing your lease and exploring a few budget-friendly options to improve your existing space.

3. WHAT DOES YOUR SPACE SAY ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS?

Your office portrays a certain image to employees, clients and vendors. As you plan for the future growth of your business, consider how well your brand is being represented through your office space. Moving could be a smart decision to boost the first impression people have when visiting your office. Your office is a powerful tool in the race for talent and clients.

4. DOES YOUR LOCATION ATTRACT OR DETER TALENT?

Sometimes you need to move to meet your employees’ criteria and demands. As you’re deciding whether to renew or to move, make sure you’re in tune with what your current and potential employees are looking for. The neighborhoods that attract best-in-class talent may be more expensive, but that may be the price you have to pay to capture the talent you want.

Even if you’re dead-set on moving, it’s always a good idea to keep conversations open with your current landlord. You can continue to look at different options while keeping your existing space on the table. If you can’t find the ideal office or a contract negotiation falls through, you’ll still have a solid option.