pre-lease services
This section describes how we can help you fully assess the optimum solution for your new premises. This exercise is carried out before you commit to your new offices and ensures the correct amount of space is being acquired, future expansion is taken account of, best fit into the building is achieved with cost comparisons for fit out being produced for each property.
Initially we would carry out an existing space audit by providing an inspection and inventory of your existing space, furniture and storage, that would serve as an effective evaluation of what currently works for your company and what needs a fresh perspective.
Following on from this, a space requirement analysis is conducted to give you an accurate assessment of the space you need, incorporating your overall business objectives and predicted changes in staff levels and office environment.
We now need to ensure that the building you choose will match your future business needs to your present, which is often referred to as test fitting. This process sees the spatial assessments, carried out above, being fitted as blocks into the building footprints. The spatial effectiveness of the buildings will be sorted in order of best-fit during this process.
Any shortlisted buildings from the previous activity will now be space planned showing finer detail to scale. As well as the office space, support and ancillary areas such as computer rooms, kitchens, libraries, meeting rooms, reception areas, stores, print areas etc. are shown to ensure all elements of the eventual occupation are accounted for.
Detailed budget costings are developed on each shortlisted property, based on the space plans and base build information gathered on the building. Key elements of the base build information involve the mechanical (air conditioning, plumbing etc.) and electrical services provided within the building. This process will further prioritise the buildings in terms of capital cost expected to achieve the required final occupational requirements.
Upon final building selection we would propose undertaking validation surveys on the mechanical and electrical services to ensure they are providing the levels proposed within the lease agreements and they can support the requirements predicted by the proposed occupancy. Should the services be found to be lacking in any way, we can assist in negotiating landlord contributions or prescriptive actions to rectify the shortfall, before the final lease is signed. In relation to mechanical and electrical installations, these amounts can be significant and we have successfully assisted our clients in obtaining substantial sums in this regard.
Before the lease is signed, the design that has been developed and associated specification of works, is discussed and ultimately submitted to the landlord to achieve the license for alteration. This should be obtained before or concurrent with the signing of the lease to ensure site works can start without delay upon completion of the lease.