There’s plenty of excitement involved in the idea of moving your business into a new premises thanks to it being such a massive milestone. Odds are you’re dealing with many different outcomes at once, as perhaps team’s growing, the location is more desirable, or the building just fits better with how things are done now, which signifies a developing enterprise.
Yet buying a premises is different to buying a house, because infrastructure plays a larger role than people tend to give it credit for. You need to make sure it supports your needs and not just superficially. The last thing you need is to be stuck managing a building that needs thorough renovation to adapt to your business need.
So, in this post, we intend to provide a practical guide to a few core areas that are worth reviewing before the keys change hands.
Reception & Public Facing Spaces
If you welcome customers, clients, or the public through the door, the tone is set. That doesn’t mean the foyer needs to be flashy or over-designed, but it should feel clear, easy to navigate, and reflect your brand in a way that feels consistent and comfortable, branded in an unmistakable way. A good layout helps, because one that allows for natural flow without awkward corners or bottlenecks or waiting lines can inspire people to come back. Think about how visitors will move through the space, whether they’ll be waiting, signing in, or walking directly to meeting rooms, and also how you gate access.
It’s also smart to check out how flexible these spaces are. If your reception needs change down the line, for instance perhaps you need more privacy for clients or a larger waiting area given the sensitivity of what you do, you’ll want the layout and structure to allow for that. The lighting, noise levels, furniture orientation, light levels, and visibility from reception can determine how people interact with your space in its first moments.
Electrical Capabilities & Functionality
Modern businesses tend to need more power than they used to, especially in office setups with server rooms, climate control systems, and equipment that runs sometimes even 100% of the time. It’s easy to ignore this during a walkthrough because you can’t tell how capable electrical systems are by looking at wires, but the state of this system is essential to understand. Not just whether the lights switch on of course, but whether the building can support your needs comfortably, without tripping circuits or requiring a full rewire two years in.
It’s wise to begin speaking to a provider who offers commercial electrical services, especially if you’re unsure how futureproof the current setup is. That’s also because some buildings have legacy systems that don’t cope well with heavy usage or updated hardware, and that can get expensive fast. Look out for access panels too, as if the wiring is difficult to reach or modify, that’s something to think about before making changes, and it might affect other systems, like your security.
Parking & Access For Both Staff Plus Customers
A great building with nowhere to park can quickly become a logistical headache, and you’ll be dealing with that for years, which is frustrating, especially if customers or clients visit in person. Even staff morale can take a hit if everyone’s stuck playing musical chairs with limited spots or circling nearby streets, and it constantly causes conflict. A building without perfect parking might be fine if the location is fantastic, but you may need to work out deals with local private parking services.
This is where deliveries matter as well. If your business relies on goods being dropped off on a weekly or even daily basis, you’ll want to make sure there’s space for that to happen without blocking access or causing disruption. Also, think about accessibility out of the car, such as with ramps, pathways, and entry points that allow everyone to move easily through the site. It can be an investment in your people and values.
Security & Monitoring
Security often comes in layers, and a good premises will usually offer more than one. So it’s worth walking the perimeter with a genuinely focused eye. Some good questions to ask include “Are the doors reinforced? Are there visible cameras or alarm systems in place? How are the windows secured after hours? Can you add quiet monitoring systems without drilling through thick concrete? Is the network infrastructure in place to support them?” If you can say “yes” to most of those questions, that’s a good sign.
With this advice, you’ll be sure to purchase a new premises with confidence.