It could be pretty stressful for entrepreneurs to find the perfect office space that meets all their desired specifications, which would only be the case if they weren’t armed with the right information. Your office environment, after all, plays a crucial role in your team members’ engagement, productivity and satisfaction and is a reflection of your company’s culture.
Many companies often neglect the fact that proper management of their facilities can contribute to the growth and success of their business. Some benefits of having the perfect office space are:
- Employees who are satisfied with their work environment are often found to be more productive, engaged and happy.
- Dissatisfied employees with a poorly maintained work environment are less productive and would make fewer contributions.
There are various factors to consider when finding a space for your new office. In this guide, we have provided the necessary information you will need to find your perfect office space in Singapore.
Things to Consider Before Deciding on an Office Space
To narrow down options and make it easier, you should go through the following questions before you begin your search for the perfect office space in Singapore.
- Is a physical office space needed?
- How much are you willing to spend?
- How much space do you need?
- Is there room for your company to grow?
- Is it the right location for your employees?
- Is your office easily accessible to your clients?
- At this stage of your business, can you commit to a long-term lease?
- Does your business deal with technology, science or research and development?
- Do you need space for storage, manufacturing and production?
- What is your company culture?
While incorporating your company, you might feel that you actually don’t need a physical office but to register a business in Singapore, you need to provide a registered office address located in Singapore. So you need to consider all the factors and then pick the right office for your business.
The ultimate guide to finding the perfect office space in Singapore is based on these key factors:
Location
Where do you want your office to be located? The most important factor when it comes to finding the perfect office space is definitely the location. An accessible location is pivotal for any business as it can contribute to the organisation’s success or failure.
You may have a specific area in mind where you would want your office to be located, but it is wise to consider certain factors when it comes to picking a location.
Parking, how far you would be from your clients and how your team members will get to work are the vital factors to be considered when finding the right spot for your office. Lack of parking space and heavy traffic are major concerns in developing cities, and most employees show up late due to these issues they will face on their way to work.
An office that is easily accessible by both public and private transportation makes it easier for employees to get to work and also for clients to find your office. An added advantage would be if your office space were located within a business district and close to coffee shops, restaurants and malls.
Size Of The Company
The size of the company should match the size of the office space. Taking this factor into account will make things easier for you since you wouldn’t want to spend too much on a huge space you don’t need, but also not have to cram your employees into a small space where they will feel uncomfortable working.
Knowing the size requirements for your team beforehand will save you the hassle of moving from one office space to another after having made the wrong decision. You could try to find a bigger office space if you plan to hire more employees and grow your company.
Infrastructure
What type of space will be ideal for your business? When you are finding an office space for your business, you must keep in mind if you will need privacy or if those around the neighbourhood will be disturbed by you and your team in case you are causing a lot of noise regarding the type of your business.
A stable Internet connection is an essential factor when it comes to business. Businesses these days cannot function without an internet connection, so you will need to find an office equipped with one.
The Look And Feel Of Your Office
The layout and design of your office space can significantly impact the productivity and level of engagement of the employees. The look and feel of your office can say a lot about how you value your employees and your business.
Factors to consider about the design of your office space would be – natural lighting, ventilation, look and feel, office layout, proximity to nature and noise and acoustics. A look and feel-good office space will make it the best environment for anyone to work in. Not only will the employees be satisfied with such an environment, but so will your clients.
Duration Of The Lease
The average lease duration for a rental office in Singapore is two to five years. For start-up companies, this time frame could be discouraging. You can also find an established coworking space or a serviced office if you are a start-up, and this will be more affordable and flexible.
Ask Relevant Questions
There is a high chance that you may know someone who has been looking for an office before. Get to know more about their search experience by asking relevant questions. They can also make a recommendation to you if they find a space through a commercial property agent which might be suitable for you.
Types of offices in Singapore
There are a few types of offices for rent in Singapore for you to choose from –
- Virtual Office
- Coworking Space
- Business Centre
- Shophouse Office
- Business Park
- Enterprise Suites
- Conventional Office Space
- Warehouse Space
Getting a virtual office as your company’s registered office address is the best option if you don’t want to invest a lot in an office space. It can help you meet your statutory requirements and receive all the important correspondence from ACRA and other government bodies.
Conclusion
It is not easy to find the perfect office space, but with the help of this guide, you can go ahead and make the right move. You can also explore spaces provided by your corporate service provider to find the ideal office space for your business.
