Whether your business is newly established or operating for a couple of years, there comes a time or a stage where you need more space. Whether you have a home-based office at the moment or you are just looking at getting started, it is important to try and think of as many things as possible in these early stages. Thinking through your options will allow you to make informed choices, and they must be informed choices as the decisions you make now will stay with your business for the foreseeable future. So, with the pressure now firmly on, what do you need to get business premises up and running, and where do you even start?
Choosing A Premises: What To Consider?
To begin with, you must identify suitable premises. Having enough room to grow is important, so don’t think too small. Consider the location that you want and why. For example, if you have customers visiting, you do not want to be too remote or inaccessible, putting people off. You must also consider your budget as this will be a major deciding factor. How much you want to spend and how much you can spend will narrow down your choices. When putting together a budget, remember to factor in the running costs of the premises and not just the rent; factor in the overheads to be between 25-50% of the rent that you pay.
Location, Safety, & Security
The location of business premises is important and so are safety and security. If a location is cheap, you need to ask yourself why. Are the crime figures high, are there lots of thefts, or is it just an up-and-coming area? No matter what location you go for, you will still need to invest in proper safety and security for your premises and its contents. Looking at safety and security may involve you utilizing a variety of methods, including, but not limited to, getting an access card reader from Remsdaq installed, having CCTV installed, and having an adequate alarm system hooked up to a local security firm. Safety and security are paramount for your location, so they should be a forethought and not an afterthought.
Adequate Insurance & Licenses
Different premises are suitable for different types of businesses, and you should make sure that the business you run can be legally and safely run from any site you are looking at. Getting adequate licenses in place should be one of the first things you do. Always make sure that you ask the person leasing the site what the premises can be used for, as this will save you time and hassle later down the line. If a premise is not suitable for you and you begin to pursue it, you will lose money through lost sales, and you will waste time that you will struggle to make up for. In addition to suitable licenses, you must make sure that you have adequate business insurance. Your insurance must cover both your premises and its contents. Shopping around with at least 3 providers will help you get the best price for your insurance.
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