5 Tips for Touring Office Spaces

The process of renting an office space can be difficult.You may not be aware of the obstacles lurking ahead. These roadblocks can be costly and time consuming. Faulty pipes, aged technology and poor maintenance may not be easy to identify but if you know what you look for many issues can be resolved before you sign the lease.Here are a few key things to look for when touring a potential property:

1.) The Smell Test

If something stinks, don’t be afraid to check it out. What you could be catching on to may be mold, pests or something hazardous. Ask the landlord about the building’s history to see if there may be any problems ahead.

2.) The Pipe Test

Pipes can be a breeding ground for unseen problems. Run the water, flush the toilets and have someone look at the water heater. When it comes to plumbing, it is better to be safe than sorry.

3.) The Carpet Test

Check the carpet. You may be walking into a space that has mold growing under the carpeting. Don’t be afraid to ask the landlord for permission to do a little snooping around the building.

4.) The Landlord Test

As stated in previous posts, you should be doing research on your potential landlord. Ask previous tenants about their experience and see if it matches with what the landlord says. Also, the landlord should have documents supporting his or her statements so don’t be afraid to view the paperwork.

5.) The Space Test

Be realistic. The landlord may tell you that you can fit a certain amount of cubicles or desks into the building, but that may not be the case. Double check on the square footage and compare it to the amount of employees you have or hope to hire. This will save you a lot of time in the future.You may not be buying the space but you will be spending your money on a piece of real estate. Feel free to look around the property, bring in a second opinion and ask questions. The more you know about your future situation, the better you will be prepared.