12 Steps To Setting Up Your New Office

12 Steps To Setting Up Your New Office

Your work environment has an effect on your productivity and functionality. Wherever at work, at home or in an external office;  you need to ensure that the work environment is well set up and pleasant to promote efficiency and productivity.

Setting up or moving into a new office demands time and effort: it might be challenging doing this without any prior planning. Before setting up your new office, you need to consider a few important things: some of them have being highlighted below. The 12 steps you need to take in setting up your new office.

The process of moving into a new office is usually stressful and time-consuming; but by breaking the entire process into smaller stages, it becomes easier and simpler. Follow the 12 steps to set up your new office without much difficulty.

1. Make a list of every item you need for the office

To run an office, there are essential items that are needed. Make a list of all these items and probably the number of each of them needed. Basic items need for every office include:

• Chairs
• Desks
• Computers
• Phones
• Lighting
• Printer, scanner, and photocopier
• Internet
• Office supplies such as papers, staplers, etc

Other items may include answering service, water dispenser, kitchen supplies, and so on

2. Prepare your budget

The second step you need to take is to check how much it will cost you in setting up your new office. Setting up a new office requires you to spend on a lot of things; you need to know how much you have and what it would cost you in setting up that office. Before making expenditures for your new office, make a list of the most important items to purchase. Doing this can save you a whole lot in the long run.

3. Choose your location

Setting up your new office in the same location as your competitor would do you no good; as is setting it up in a location where your services are not needed. You need to consider what impression the surroundings might have on a client.

You need to decide whether your business needs are best suited by a traditional office space – which rarely comes with any equipment – or serviced offices (which come with flexible leasing and other perks).

4. Determine the size of your workforce and the amount of space they will need

When moving into a new office, you should calculate the amount of space needed for your employees. You wouldn’t like your new office to be cramped. If you will be needing space for a conference room you should plan for it.

5. Design your office layout

For a new office setup, it is essential that you draw out a layout of the office space to effectively allocate the available space. You can do this by making a sketch of the office space and include your proposed placement of the furniture and equipment. Doing this will help simplify the next step.

6. Invest in essential office equipment

No matter the kind of business you run, there is essential equipment that every office needs to have. Every office needs basic furniture like desks, chairs, computers, filing cabinets and so on. You need these items before going for other ones like projects, conference-sized tables, and whatnots.

Investing in this equipment is important as it can affect the productivity of your workers in both positive and negative ways.

7. Set up Internet

We are in an age where virtually every business has an online presence or uses the Internet in running their activities. You need to get an Internet Service Provider to help set up high-speed Internet for your new office. You can compare the plans and prices of several ISPs to know the best that suits you.

8. Set up a Phone System

All serious businesses certainly need a reliable phone system in order to function properly. There are several phone providers that can service your new office; all you need do is research on the best one and subscribe to them.

9. Acquire office supplies

The next step is to start buying supplies for your new office. Supplies such as papers, shredders, staplers, and the likes are very important for every office. You will also need a kitchen, bathroom, and cleaning supply. You can also hire a local commercial cleaning gold coast as they offer a wide variety of services to small and large companies and organizations, including commercial and office cleaning.

10. Get security equipment

You would not want to lose your office equipment to burglars: so it is equally important that you invest in security equipment such as alarm systems, CCTV security systems, and so on.

11. Get legal advice

Before deciding to move to a new office, you need to get elaborate legal advice before you sign any lease agreement. If it is your first office you are setting up you may consider going for a short-term lease so that you are not held down if you eventually decide to change location. You should make sure that you understand the details of the lease agreement.

In addition, you have to ensure that your facilities, access control systems, and office layout are in compliance with state laws.

12. Make sure everyone knows where you are

As we mentioned before the costs associated with moving are high, one expense you don’t need is lost revenue because your customers can’t find you. Be sure to send out change of address notes to all your clients, along with a map of your location, parking facilities, and contact numbers. If you require footfall, a neon logo business sign is great for attracting attention. Make sure the new location is well branded with “coming soon” signs clearly visible. Balloons, banners, and an opening store/business promo can help get your name out there if the location is completely new or competitor-ridden!