What to Look for in a New Office Space

Selecting a new office space can be demanding, whether it represents your first premises or forms part of a business expansion. One approach to simplify this decision is to choose flexible office space, such as Pinnacle House, thereby avoiding the risk of a lengthy lease or agreement that binds you to the wrong premises.

But to make your selection even smoother, here are the essential factors you should evaluate when searching for an office space that suits your requirements.

Location, Location, Location

The estate agent’s principle remains just as valid for an office as it is for a home. The reality is that the finest office in the world is worthless if it is not accessible to your team or clients.

Seek locations that are convenient and well-connected. Pinnacle House is situated in Peterborough’s Fengate business area on Newark Road and is just 2 miles from the city centre, with London’s Kings Cross being 75 minutes away by train. We have parking spaces for over 100 vehicles, plus we also have 2 EV charging points.

Think About Appearances

Appearances do count. Elements such as the external appearance, standard of reception, and shared areas, as well as office spaces, will influence client perceptions and team productivity.

If you notice something is amiss, so will anyone visiting your premises. Check for elements like external upkeep, cleanliness inside, plus the standard of furnishings. And do not overlook that it is not just physical appearances that count; pay attention to the welcome you receive from reception staff and others in the facility as well.

Consider Your Business Requirements

Your business needs might be at the forefront of your thinking, but an office is more than just desks plus chairs. Your premises must have all the necessary features, as well as areas that support the people working in them.

Elements such as the nature of your business and your company culture will all influence the style and layout of the office you require. If you are expanding, you may also need to allow additional space. Furthermore, you should also consider the need for a break area and kitchen facilities for team members, as well as external options, such as nearby shops, cafes, and restaurants.

What Is Included in the Rental

The additional facilities that come with the office are crucial. Utilities such as electricity, water, and internet are fundamental. You will need an office that has all the necessary connections, or you will need to arrange for them yourself.

Your technical team, if you have one, can guide requirements. Nevertheless, given that most equipment draws minimal power, your primary consideration will probably be internet connectivity. What you specifically need varies with your operations, but ensure you verify both the performance and dependability of the available connections.

Look for Any Hidden Costs

Your budget is likely to be a major factor in selecting an office. However, a limited budget does not have to restrict you; many options can help keep costs manageable while maintaining standards, such as co-working spaces.

When comparing different providers, ensure you compare like with like! Does the provider offer a rate per desk or a rate per square foot? There is a difference – the former means that if you scale up, the price increases proportionally (for example, a 50% increase if you go from 2 to 3 desks), while the latter means you know you can add an extra desk (if the space permits) at no extra cost without having to relocate to a larger office.

You also need to calculate your total expenses. Although office rent is often advertised at a competitive rate, these typically provide nothing more than the shell, meaning you also have to budget for utilities, furniture, plus maintenance. Looking at managed plus serviced office spaces will often work out more economical, as they provide a single fixed fee plus save you the additional resources required for premises management.

Select the Type of Office You Want

The way we work has evolved. Offices have transformed from single-occupancy rooms to open-plan spaces, then to hot-desk environments. Where once people may have spent their entire working life in a single office, today they may never work at the same workstation on 2 consecutive days.

Consider what options might work best for your business model. Conventional offices might be familiar, but you can find that you are paying for desks which are frequently empty because people are working from home. Using co-working spaces for hot-desking or creating flexible workspaces might be a superior option.

Understand Your Legal Obligations

Whatever type of office you choose, you will be committing to a contract. Review your lease agreement carefully, as it typically binds you to the premises for a minimum of one year. Sometimes, the small print hides unpleasant surprises, such as auto-renewals plus strict notice conditions. Make sure you note your obligations to avoid being caught out. It is not uncommon for businesses to miss an auto-renewal and then find their rent doubling, leaving them trapped in a new 12-month contract.

More contemporary options, such as serviced offices or co-working spaces, offer flexible approaches, allowing you to have dedicated desks, private breakout areas or a meeting room when required. At Pinnacle House, we offer short notice periods plus transparent contracts, providing a professional workspace with the confidence that you will not be tied to premises as your needs change.

The Pinnacle House Advantage

Working from Pinnacle House provides an immediate credibility boost for your business operations. Our prestigious Peterborough location, combined with professional staffed reception services, creates a powerful first impression with clients. The fully equipped offices eliminate typical setup hassles, allowing your team to focus entirely on core business activities.

Our flexible workspace solutions provide exceptional value through comprehensive all-inclusive packages. Rather than managing multiple vendor relationships, you benefit from streamlined single-point billing. The ability to scale with minimal notice periods means you only pay for the space you utilise.

The diverse business community creates valuable networking opportunities across finance, manufacturing, healthcare, and technology sectors through regular events plus natural interactions within our shared spaces.

Important Considerations To Evaluate

While Pinnacle House offers excellent flexibility, potential tenants should consider the operational hours plus access arrangements. The staffed reception operates Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, which may not align with businesses that require extensive evening or weekend client interactions.

The current office configurations are designed for specific team sizes, with most available spaces accommodating 4 to 12 people. Rapidly scaling businesses should evaluate whether the available expansion options align with their projected growth trajectory, as securing larger premises within the same building may require advance planning.

Think About Culture and Contacts

Company culture is crucial; businesses work hard to develop and maintain it, whether through promoting their vision or organising team-building events. However, while culture may seem distant from a topic as mundane as office rental, where you work does make a difference.

Choosing a location surrounded by other businesses can add vitality plus energy to your enterprise. In serviced buildings like Pinnacle House, spaces and events are designed to foster connections between businesses. It is not just about meeting people, though; it can also be a fantastic way to make new contacts, generate more business, and even start new ventures.

Discover Pinnacle House for Your New Serviced Office

Pinnacle House is a premier office and co-working space in Peterborough’s thriving Fengate business area. From a desk for a few hours to long-term managed offices, we can provide the space you require, when you require it, and work with you to adapt as your needs evolve.

Whether your business is local or international, regardless of the type of space you are seeking, we can assist. Call us today at 01733 857600 or email info@pinnaclehouse.co.uk to book a tour, and you could be working in your ideal office space at a prestigious business address soon.