Is your office lease about to expire, and you're unsure whether to stay or go? This decision could significantly shape the future of your business, especially as your team grows and work dynamics evolve. Staying put might seem like the easy choice, but is your current workspace designed to support your future goals? On the other hand, moving to a new location comes with its own challenges—costs, disruption, and the unknowns of a new space.
This decision isn’t just about location and rent—it’s about how your office works for your business. Does it foster collaboration? Is it flexible enough to support growth? And, most importantly, is it designed to keep your team productive and engaged?
At Crest, we’ve worked with many businesses with lease expiry looming and facing the decision to stay, redesign, or move. In this article, we'll walk you through our key considerations as your lease renewal approaches, helping you assess your current space and review how smart design choices can set your business up for long-term success
Assessing your current lease
Most commercial property leases last between five to ten years, so the first step is to check your lease and get familiar with the basics. When does your lease expire? Are there any legal requirements you need to meet? Understanding these details will help shape your next steps. Be sure to also find out:
- If there's a break clause
- Your required notice period
- How you’ll need to serve notice
- Any make-good requirements for restoring the space at the end of the lease
With these in mind, it’s tempting to focus solely on financials—what will the rent increase be? Can you negotiate better terms? But before signing on the dotted line, take a step back. The lease decision isn't just about cost; it’s about ensuring your workspace aligns with your business’s future needs and growth potential.
Financial considerations: Review the rent rates, any additional expenses, and the terms of a lease extension. Is it feasible for your current or future budget? But remember, what may look like a cheaper option at first glance could end up costing more if your current space doesn’t fit your growing needs, leading to inefficiencies with how your team works.
Location relevance: Next, ask yourself if your current location still serves your business. Has the local area changed? Perhaps there’s been an influx of competitors nearby, or maybe the area has developed into a hub for innovation and talent, making it advantageous to stay. Additionally, consider your employees—does the office location suit commuting needs, and is it accessible for clients?
Scalability and future growth: Can your current space support future development? Are you planning to expand your team? What about changes in how your team works—have hybrid or remote working models altered your workplace requirements? Your office needs to be flexible enough to adapt to these shifts while offering enough room for collaboration, focus work, and supporting company culture.
Evaluating your current workplace
It’s easy to assume that your current office is adequate if it's functional. But does your workspace truly serve the needs of your business, employees, and clients? As work environments evolve—especially with the rise of hybrid and remote working models—it’s important to assess whether your office design still makes sense for your business in the short and long term.
Productivity and employee wellbeing: Does your current office environment foster productivity and employee satisfaction? Look at how your team uses the space. Are there areas for collaboration, focused work, and informal interactions? Is the layout too cramped or spread out, making it hard for teams to connect? The way your workspace is designed has a direct impact on employee morale and efficiency.
A modern office should cater to different working styles, offering quiet zones for deep work, open spaces for collaboration, and areas where people can recharge. If your office doesn’t currently provide these, your team could be less productive and engaged than they could be. Employee well-being is just as important to consider as aesthetics—an optimally designed workspace can reduce stress, enhance creativity, and foster a stronger sense of connection within the company and between staff.
Space usage and layout efficiency: How efficiently is your current office layout being used? Are there areas that feel neglected or underutilised? Or do certain sections feel overcrowded?
Evaluate whether your current space reflects how your business operates today. Has your workforce shifted to a more hybrid model, meaning you might need fewer fixed desks but more hot-desking areas or meeting rooms? Or are you finding that your breakout areas are underused, indicating that the space isn’t meeting your team’s needs for informal collaboration?
Flexibility and future-proofing: Can the layout be easily adjusted to accommodate future changes? Your business will likely evolve in the coming years—whether through growth, downsizing, or adopting new ways of working. Open-plan spaces with modular furniture, adaptable meeting rooms, and multi-purpose areas can help future-proof your office, ensuring it remains functional and relevant as your business changes.
Company culture and branding: Finally, does your workspace reflect your company’s culture and values? A well-designed commercial office space should communicate who you are as a business to your employees and visitors. If your space feels outdated or disconnected from your brand identity, it may be time for a refresh. A cohesive design that aligns with your brand can boost employee connection to where they work and make a strong impression on clients.
The move decision: When relocating makes sense
While the prospect of a fresh start can be exciting, relocation comes with its own set of challenges—costs, disruption to daily operations, and the risks of the unknown. So, when does moving make sense? Here’s how to know when it’s time to leave your current office behind and seek a new space that better fits your business.
Outgrowing your current space: One of the most obvious signs it’s time to move is when you’ve outgrown your current office. Suppose your team is constantly crammed into tight spaces. In that case, meeting rooms are always fully booked, or you’ve had to repurpose storage areas as workspaces, it’s a clear indicator that your business has outpaced the capacity of your current location. In this case, staying put could limit your growth and affect employee satisfaction.
Location no longer serves your business: If your current location no longer aligns with your business goals, capacity, or operational needs, it may be time to move. Shifts in your target market or changes in transportation access can make it harder for staff and clients to reach your office. Relocating to a more convenient area, closer to key clients and partners, can boost operations, enhance employee satisfaction, and improve your ability to attract top talent.
Renovation isn’t enough: Sometimes, despite your best efforts, a redesign isn’t enough. If the building infrastructure is outdated—think poor heating or ventilation systems, lack of natural light, or a layout that is too rigid to modify—it may be more cost-effective to move to a modern office space that offers the flexibility you need.
Older buildings may also have hidden maintenance costs or restrictions that prevent you from optimising your space. In these cases, relocating to a new space designed to support modern working practices can be a wiser long-term investment.
Changing company culture: The office space that once reflected your team’s values and working style might now feel disconnected from who you are as a business. A new office can be a fresh canvas to build a workspace that supports your team’s productivity and reflects your brand and vision, reinforcing company culture, making staff feel more connected to their work, and creating a more inviting atmosphere for visitors.
Bringing in expertise: Partnering with a design and construction firm can offer expertise in workplace strategy, tailored solutions, and an end-to-end process from design to move-in. Crest Interiors, for instance, helps customise your space, manage costs, and future-proof your office, making the relocation smoother and more efficient.
Assessing your office's potential with a building analysis
Whether you plan to stay in your current space or relocate, ensuring your workplace supports your team and growth goals is an important step. A building analysis can help you compare potential properties and visualise how they could meet your needs. Through a thorough technical appraisal, you can gain insights into the condition of mechanical, electrical, and fire systems, helping you spot potential issues before they become costly problems.
Contact Crest for a building analysis, and let us help you choose the right property for your organisation. Learn more here.
