How to Find Your Next Office – A Smarter Approach

Most businesses approach finding a new office the wrong way. They start with listings, look at photos, compare rentals, and then try to make a decision. That process creates risk because you end up choosing space before you understand what your business actually needs.

The right approach is to start with your business, not the building.

Step 1: Define How Your Team Works
Before you look at space, understand how your team operates.

• How many people are in the office daily?
• How many work remotely?
• What type of work do they do?
• Quiet, focused work requires a different layout to collaborative teams. If you get this wrong, no building will fix it.

Step 2: Get Your Timing Right
Lease expiry often drives decisions, but it should not control them. You need enough time to:

• Test the market
• Negotiate properly
• Plan your fit‑out
• If you leave it too late, you lose leverage.

Step 3: Choose the Right Location
In a market like Cape Town City Centre, access matters. Your office must work for your staff and your clients. Look at commute patterns, parking, and public transport. If your team struggles to get to work, productivity drops.

Find your next office space in Cape Town City Center

Step 4: Review Buildings with Vision
When you view space, don’t focus on how it looks today. Focus on what it can become. Most offices require changes – layout, meeting rooms, collaboration areas, and branding all need to align with your business. This is where planning and fit‑out strategy become critical.

Step 5: Understand the Full Cost
Rental is only one part of the equation. Factor in:

• Operating costs
• Parking
• Utilities
• Fit‑out

Then look at landlord incentives. Many landlords will contribute to your fit‑out or offer beneficial lease terms, but only if you negotiate correctly. Too many tenants lose value by accepting terms instead of structuring deals.

• Step 6: Compare Your Options
  Stay versus go is not a guess – it is a structured analysis.
• What does it cost to remain in your current space?
• What does it cost to move?
• What do you gain in each scenario?
• Once you have that clarity, the decision becomes straightforward.

Treat Your Office as a Business Decision
Your office affects cost, staff performance, and how the market sees you. Treat it with the same level of detail you would apply to any other major decision. If you are approaching a lease expiry or considering a move, start early and get proper advice. It will change the outcome. If you want a clear view of your options, reach out. I can help you assess your current position and plan your next move properly.