Architects Essex: What to do if you’ve outgrown your current office space
When it comes to business, expansion should be celebrated at the highest level. This is especially true in today’s climate, where disposable income is low and many businesses are struggling. If you’ve come to outgrow your current office space, however, this can throw a spanner in the works when it comes to enabling growth. That’s where the work of architects in Essex can swoop in to save the day!
What are my options?
If your current office space is no longer fit for purpose, you have a number of options. Obviously, which you choose will depend on whether or not you own your current offices, the contract you have in place with your landlord (if applicable), and your budget.
Extending
There are a number of reasons why it might not be suitable for a business to simply move offices. For example, there may not be anything suitable nearby and you could have local customers who would be affected by a move. With this in mind, an extension is a great option for those of you who are growing out of your existing space but where a move isn’t feasible.
An extension will allow you to add as much or as little space as you like, dependent on your needs. Furthermore, you can also make this a real feature of your office, improving the overall feel of the space. Working with architects in Essex, an extension can add a great deal of character to your property, as well as making it brighter and more modern.
Reworking your current space
Where possible, internally reworking your current offices can be a cheaper option than extending. There are lots of ways you can do this. From simply moving around your desks, to knocking down and building interior walls, this option can completely transform your offices.
Should you wish to make bigger changes beyond just a quick move around, it’s highly advised that you bring in a team of architects in Essex. An experienced architecture practise will be able to suggest ways to optimise space to get the most out of what you have available. Working within your budget, your chosen designers should help you to create a fresh and exciting space that is sure to remotivate your workforce.
Moving
If extending your current offices or reworking your space isn’t an option, it’s time to consider moving to a new location. There are a number of things to consider, however.
Firstly, you need to make sure there is a big enough property for you to move to within close proximity. Of course, you could move further afield if you wanted to. However, this could cause issues with your existing employees, so you should take time to consider the impact of this.
Additionally, if you plan on buying your next property, you’ll also want to consider getting a survey. This is essentially a health check that can be done on the property to assess its condition. When carried out by a credible RICS surveyor, this will highlight any potential issues and risks with purchasing the property. Surveys help property buyers to make a more informed purchasing decision.
Last but by no means least, you need to consider the terms in your contract with your landlord. Is your tenancy agreement up for renewal? How long is your notice period? Do you need a dilapidations specialist to help you undo any changes you may have made during your time there?
How our architects in Essex can help
Based in South Woodham Ferrers, we are an experienced architecture practise with over 40 years of experience in this field. Working with our team of designers, we can help you to rework or extend your existing offices to enable you to continually grow. Furthermore, we also have an in-house team of project managers who can execute the work.
Should you wish to look at the option of moving offices and purchasing a property, M + also have an in-house team of surveyors. We can also assist with dilapidations too. Regulated by RICS, you can be rest assured you’re in safe hands with us!
Contact Munday + Cramer
Interested in working with our architects in Essex? For more information on how we work and costs for your project, get in touch with our team today. You can reach us by clicking here!