Your Doorway to Commercial Property. FREE to List!

WHAT TO LOOK FOR…
If your firm is quickly outgrowing your space or if you’re just wondering whether there’s a better deal out there, then read on.

In this article Diane Sumner discusses issues when considering leasing office premises including 15 point checklist to get you started.

Start planning early
If moving is not an option, but a necessity, get the process started as soon as possible. It can take 4 months to a year to get from initial planning to moving day.

Consult key people
Before you look for outside help, talk to the heads of all your internal departments to assess their needs. Once you’re ready to consult an expert, recognise that an agent may not be enough. Designers can help determine the actual amount of space and layout needed.

Wish List
Be prepared to be asked basic questions such as how many employees, how many private offices, meeting rooms, and which groups should be near each other.

Prepare a budget
Be realistic about what the costs are. Research the market and find out what rental costs are and what incentives are available.

Location, location, location
Location might be your hardest decision. In addition to size and budget, keep people in mind. Consider staff and access to motorways & bus routes. Also cross-reference that with the locations of clients and suppliers to start your search.

No harm in looking
Follow these steps even if you’re not sure you want to move. The only way to leverage the landlord in your current space is to be considering a shift. He may be prepared to upgrade your existing premises to keep you as a tenant.

The key to negotiating the best lease agreement, in the right location, is to define and understand your spatial needs and wants at the outset of your search. There are a variety of issues that should be considered prior to starting the office location decision process.

“Malcolm & Sumner listened to our needs and grasped the concept of our ideal office model. Using the curve shape of the building to advantage, we were able to achieve our ideal office layout and provide a circular flow. Everyone can see each other and feel part of the group.”

– John Appleby , Principal
Ladbrooks Solicitors

We have included a 15 point checklist to help you to evaluate your premises.

“We are very pleased with the outcome. The building is excellent and our offices are light & bright. We have provided an ergonomic environment and our staff love it.”

– Gordon Lamont , Managing Director (Former)
Canon New Zealand Limited

You’ve probably been talking to realtors and they’ve suggested various options. How do you weigh up the pros and cons when comparing buildings? Which one offers the most when considering your criteria? Which one offers the best value for money?

Malcolm & Sumner have developed a series of discussion papers. These are available free on request. Two of our most popular are:

• ARE YOU LEASING THE RIGHT SPACE?
  7 KEY POINTS TO CONSIDER…
  …A detailed discussion paper looks at 7 key categories to help you evaluate new premises.
• MOVING OR UPGRADING YOUR OFFICE SPACE?
  PLANNING A FIT-OUT
  …A detailed discussion paper to help in the shift-stay decision plus a 17 point guide to what’s involved in organising a fit-out.

Reprinted with the permission of Malcolm & Sumner.  Further useful resources can be found HERE!

The Green Star rating is a comprehensive, national, voluntary environmental rating scheme that evaluates the environmental attributes and performance of New Zealand’s buildings using a suit of rating tool kits developed for applicable building types and functions.

Green Star is developed by the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC) in partnership with the building industry.

There are 3 rating levels available for New Zealand buildings:

• 4 Star – NZ Certified Rating (score 45-59) signifies ‘Best Practice‘
• 5 Star – NZ Certified Rating (score 60-74) signifies ‘New Zealand Excellence‘
• 6 Star – NZ Certified Rating (score 75-100) signifies ‘World Leadership‘

More information on the Green Star ratings can be found on the NZGBC website.

FindSpace allows property owners to show their Green Star rating and for people to search for properties with a Green Star rating.  All listings with a Green Star rating will be verified by the NZGBC as part of ours and their Quality Processes.

When signing up there are four options for Client Type.  Select the one that best suits your requirements.  The difference between them are:

Private Seller – Individual account used to save searches and market properties under your own name.

Real Estate Agent – Real Estate Agents or Contacts for Property Investors.  This account must be verified by the Branch Administrator before you can add a listing.

Real Estate Agency – Used by registered members of the Real Estate Institute.  This account allows for multiple Agents and property is marketed under the Agency name.  You will need your REINZ Number to register.

Property Investors – Used by Property Investment Companies.  This account allows for multiple Contacts and property is marketed under the Company name.  You will need your Company number to register.

FindSpace is getting behind the work of the New Zealand Green Building Council by allowing owners of ‘Green Buildings’ to show their Rating Level.

People looking for properties will also be able to search by Green Star Rating so they can do their part in relation to reducing our environmental footprint.

You can read about the work of the New Zealand Green Building Council HERE

If you want to search for property within a certain area the best way is via Post Code.  If you are unsure of what post codes to search by NZ Post provides a series of maps.  Click HERE to view them.

Once you know the post code you can search using the Keywords search on FindSpace.