Making the decision to move premises

This article is part of our Business Premises Guide

Providing information to support business owners with some of the more common decisions and considerations that you would need to take into account when moving business premises, from taking a commercial lease or buying a property to tips on who you should seek help from at each stage.

Business Premises Guide: Moving Premises

Whether you are considering leasing or buying, moving into new business premises is a major decision that requires a lot of thought, time and expenditure.

There could be a multitude of reasons as to why you may make this decision:

• Your business may need more space
• You may need a more tailored space for business activities
• The existing premises are too large
• To have a better building with improved image
• To be in a better location for customers, staff or both
• To move from leasehold property to one that you own
• To move from a home based office/workshop to a more professional environment

Each business is different and although moving is a process which generally follows a similar path, it can also have very different characteristics which are affected by your business requirements and the nature of your trade.

Marc Benger is the Managing Director of comparemymove.com, a website providing removal companies comparisons for commercial and residential relocations, “Moving business premises is a huge part of any company’s story and there are many things that need to be considered before the move itself takes place.”

“One question you have to ask yourself and consider very carefully is, ’can the business afford to move?’ Failing to consider this and work the costs into your future budgets can end up costing the business dearly. Sit down and make sure it will work. If it doesn’t look good on paper, maybe the time isn’t quite right.”

Expanding without moving

Moving is one way to expand your business but it is not the only way. You may be able to create more room by taking a look at the space you are already occupying and how to better utilise it.

Jonathan Hand, Director of Talkspace Group, a company offering property advice to business owners renting or buying commercial property explains “If you are happy with the property you are in, but have run out of room, consider getting a fit out company involved to help space plan for the business.”

Adjoining or rearranging space is the most convenient and inexpensive way to add room, equipment or more employees to your business, saving you money on moving costs and keeping interruptions to a minimum.

Download our guide to Business Premises

Find out more about our full Business Premises Guide here or browse through the content below to learn more.

1. Making the decision to move premises
2. Finding the right premises
3. Additional costs of business premises
4. Taking a business lease
5. Building surveys for business premises
6. Making an offer on business premises
7. Taking a business licence
8. Planning permission for business premises
9. Buying business premises
10. Business premises insurance

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