Essential Checklist: What to Look for When Leasing Office Space?

So you’ve toured several office locations, spoken with owners and worked with your broker, to find the perfect office space and location for your business.  Now what?  Here is a check list for you to review and use to evaluate the prospective office space and location, and make sure it is the right fit for you, your clients, and your business:

1. Parking:  Is there ample parking for you and your clients who may visit?  Is parking free, or will you be charged extra? Is the parking lot well maintained (has regular pavement maintenance and no pot holes).
2. ADA Compliance (Americans With Disabilities Act):  Most buildings that were built after 1990 have full ADA compliance built into them, but some older buildings were grandfathered in and are not fully ADA compliant.  This means they may not have automatic doors and elevators, and if your office is not on the first floor, your clients with mobility challenges will have a difficult time reaching your office.
3. Access to Property and Security: Will you have 24/7/365 access to the building and your office?  This is especially important if you plan on working non-standard hours (weekends and evenings).   Are the buildings located in a safe area, and do they have cameras on site with continuous monitoring?   We own and manage five office parks in Mequon, Pewaukee, and Delafield, and all are under continuous surveillance.
4. Cleaning Services and Processes:  Cleaning requirements and services will be part of the property operational plan. Ensure you know what the building’s tenants and occupants are required to clean (who does it, at what cost) and when that is done.  Our on-site cleaning staff cleans all common areas including rest rooms on a daily basis, but they do not have access to our tenants’ offices.  Most of our tenants appreciate the fact that no one else has access to their office space (and sensitive business records), and don’t mind handling the upkeep of their office on their own. (removing trash and occasional vacuuming.)  Other tenants choose to hire our in-house cleaning team to keep their office maintained, and they contract directly with them.
5. Building Air Conditioning and Heating Schedule:  Most buildings will operate the HVAC during standard business hours (M-F 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM) and possibly on Saturdays.  If you work non-standard hours, check with your landlord to see if they will extend the hours to fit your needs, and if there will be any additional cost to do so.  Our office parks in Mequon, Pewaukee, and Delafield have zoned heating, and we are able to accommodate most non-standard heating/cooling schedules for our tenants, at no additional cost to them.
6. Communication Systems and Internet Access:  Ask what providers are available in the building, and who you can get quotes from.  Many of our tenants choose to use their cell phone provider for internet access, while others choose our local cable company.  Our buildings are all prewired, and our cable representative is available for quick quotes and gives competitive rates.  If you have a business handling sensitive info (medical, financial, etc) you will need a dedicated secure line, if not, you can save by going with a shared line.  Does your business require fiber optic internet access?  All good questions to consider prior to deciding on your final location.
7.  Decorating Your New Office:  Many building owners have a policy regarding what types of modifications can be made to the office walls, window coverings, and floors by tenants.  Some owners will allow tenants to paint their space, others will not.  Some office spaces have neutral wall paper that can’t be painted over.  Some leases specify the type and size of nails to use when hanging pictures, white boards, or monitors.  We work with our tenants to help them achieve their optimal office look, while maintaining our decorating standards outlined in our lease.

In conclusion, it is important to know how you plan on using your office, assure your clients will have full access, and know what is and is not allowed as a tenant prior to committing to a long term lease.  If you use the checklist above, you will be sure to cover all your bases before signing your lease agreement, and will enjoy your new office location for years to come! If you are looking for office space in Mequon, Pewaukee, or Delafield, please reach out to us and let us help find that perfect fit for you and your team!