rent office space overland park

4 Signs It’s Time For Your Business to Find a New Kansas Office Space for Rent

Let’s face it, moving can be a pain. There are movers to hire, files to pack up, and employees to convince. But although moving is an inconvenient hassle, not moving could have much worse long-term consequences for your business if it is really time to go. As you brainstorm this decision, check out some of these signs that it might be time for your business to look at different office spaces for rent in Overland Park, KS, as outlined in the article “5 Clues That It Might Be Time for New Office Space”:

#1 Your current Kansas office space for rent is feeling small.

One sign that it might be time to move is that your business is running out of space for you to grow into. This is actually a good problem to have because it means your business is thriving – though that success could be short-lived if you cannot cram another desk or filing cabinet into your space, let alone hire much-needed new employees. If you have plans to grow your business, don’t wait until the last minute to start looking for a new space, or you could find yourself in a tough negotiating position or making a hasty decision that isn’t in your best interests.

#2 You cannot afford your current office space for rent in Overland Park.

If your rental payments are seriously cutting into your profits, you need to look for a place that’s a bit more thrifty. A swanky office space downtown is certainly enjoyable for you and your employees, but it isn’t great for your business’s sustainability. If you are in a tough financial position or are looking to cut back on your rent, try to work with a broker who will help you stay within your budget.

#4 You’re having trouble hiring/keeping good employees.

If your turnover rate is high and you are having trouble attracting potential hires, ask yourself whether your office space is playing a role in this problem. Your space says a lot about your business, so if it is too crowded, run-down, or simply disorganized, new candidates or employees are not going to want to stick around. An upgrade might help you find and keep talent.

#5 Your current office space for lease in Overland Park, KS, just isn’t working.

A space could be a poor fit for a variety of reasons. One problem might be a lack of privacy. Open office space for employees to collaborate is certainly “in” right now, but not everybody works well out in the open – or at least not all of the time. People need privacy sometimes for meetings, phone calls, or simply to power through a project, so an office space that doesn’t offer that could be seriously hindering productivity.

Another problem with a space could be a mismatch with your brand or company culture. If you run an edgy start-up but are working in an old, drab space, there is a dissonance there that can negatively affect your employees and send the wrong message to clients. You want your space to match your brand so it subtly communicates the importance of your business’s core values.

If one of these signs sounds like your business, it might be time to move to a new space. Moving can be a pain, but it can also be exciting for your business as a sign of growth, innovation, or simply a fresh start. As you look for spaces, give yourself plenty of time to narrow down your choices, and work with a broker who will keep your business’s interests at the forefront.

If your business is looking to rent office space in Overland Park, give us a call at 913-685-4100 to find out more about our affordable spaces!

Your Office Space for Rent in Overland Park: Organizing for Better Productivity

Whether you are moving into a new office space for rent in Overland Park and need to make that final push past the move-in clutter or your current office just needs a good spring cleaning, here are a few tips for getting your office space in peak productivity mode, as suggested in the article “How to Organize Your Office for Maximum Productivity”:

Step 1: Deep Clean Your Kansas Office Space For Rent

The first step to getting organized is doing a serious purge. By the end of this purge, you want your office to be totally clutter-free, which could take anywhere from an hour to a day depending on the size and clutter condition of your office.

Step 2: Think Zones

There are a couple of key areas you want to set up in your office to keep yourself clean and organized:

Computer Workspace – This is where most people are in high productivity mode – your typical desktop space. Get cords organized and think about treating yourself to a more comfortable setup, such as an ergonomic keyboard.
Non-Computer Workspace – This is the space for anything but computer work – signing documents, working on an iPad, reading papers. It could be at the same desk, or you could designate a separate area for this. Separating computer and non-computer work areas can help keep things clean and help you mentally organize the different kinds of work you need to do each day – nothing is less productive than eyeballing your computer screen while simultaneously trying to focus on a printed report.
Catch-All Space – This is a great way to catch and sort incoming junk before it becomes scattered throughout the office. Some of the things this can filter, are important documents, trash, and things you take home (i.e. jackets and umbrellas). To that end, create your catch-all zone near a door or a highly trafficked place. Stock the area with shelves, hooks, or boxes for important items that you need regular access too, trays or files for documents, and a trash can.

Step 3: Find a Place for Physical Objects

Try not to let your desktop get too cluttered with the objects we all tend to accumulate at work, from cute knickknacks to basic things like wallets or headphones. In order to stop these items from slowly but surely encroaching on your workspace, make sure that each object has an accessible place in a drawer or a desktop organizer.

Step 4: Keep Purging

It’s a simple trick: buy a bigger trashcan or recycling bin. Overflowing recycling bins mean that you are more likely to keep that stack of papers you don’t know what to do with on your desk for another week, so give yourself a nudge to just get rid of them with a roomier – and more noticeable – trash or recycling bin.

One of the keys to making your organized, productive office last is tailoring it to your productivity style. Decide what kind of ideal office space for lease in Overland Park, KS you want and what kind of systems you are most likely to stick with, then implement them ASAP!

If your business wants to rent office space in overland Park, give us a call at 913-685-4100 to find out more about our office spaces for rent in Overland Park, KS.

Rent Office Space in Overland Park: How to Take Advantage of a Renter’s Market

The commercial real estate world is shifting, and landlords no longer control the game. Recently, businesses have been gaining a huge upper hand in acquiring Kansas office space for rent for great rates. Below are some negotiating tips for taking advantage of this trend and securing an affordable space for your business, as described in the article “How to Get a Good Deal on a Lease”:

Concessions in Your Office Space Lease in Overland Park

Because it is a renter’s market, don’t be afraid to be a bit bold in asking for concessions, including periods of free rent. This is especially true if your business is willing to take a bit of a risk and agree to a longer lease term. Conventional wisdom says that shorter term leases are better for new businesses, but these days landlords are so interested in getting long term tenants that they are willing to agree to a lot more. Since it might take a landlord as much as a year to find a new tenant for a space, they have a vested interest in offering businesses sweet deals to entice them into longer terms.

Create an Exit Plan in Your Lease

The lease a landlord gives you will be heavily in their favor, but that does not mean it is the agreement you have to end up with. Negotiate for clauses to create a little more security for you, and be sure to prioritize your needs. Think about what your deal-breakers are, and focus on pushing for those things before trying to push a long list of changes. Here are a few suggestions for ways to protect yourself in a lease:

Guaranteed Selling Points – Sometimes landlords advertise specific selling points, like high foot traffic or a certain occupancy rate, to attract tenants. Try to get these guarantees in writing and ask for concessions if the landlord does not uphold them.
Sublease – This is a common way tenants can protect themselves in the event that they want to leave a space or downsize before their lease is up. A subleasing clause allows a tenant to rent out some or all of their space to another, similar business.
Personal guarantee release or ‘Good-guy” clause – Most landlords will ask for some sort of personal guarantee, but there are clauses can mitigate the potential damage done if your business has to leave. In a personal guarantee release, the landlord lifts the guarantee obligations after a specified period of time, maybe 2-3 years into the lease. A “Good-guy” clause replaces the guarantee and says that a tenant who defaults on a lease is only responsible for the rent they owe before they leave the space, instead of until the end of the entire lease term. This is fairly uncommon outside of New York, but worth asking for.
Exclusivity – This clause protects businesses from a direct competitor moving into the property.

Beware of Hidden Costs For Commercial Property For Lease in Overland Park, KS

Leases come in different forms: gross leases and net leases. Gross leases generally include everything – taxes, maintenance, utilities, etc. On the other hand, net leases involve billing separately for taxes maintenance, insurance, etc., and these things are prorated based on how much space a tenant occupies. Regardless of which kind of lease you enter into, make sure you know exactly what expenses you are paying for, particularly when it comes to common area maintenance. These expenses will probably increase over your tenancy, but you can negotiate to ensure that prices won’t go up within the first year.

Another hidden leasing cost to be aware of is repairs and maintenance. Some landlords want tenants to pay for any repairs or updates to things other than the exterior walls, the roof, or parking lot. This means that the age of a building could really affect how much you end up paying for maintenance and repairs. Have the HVAC systems, electrical equipment, and plumbing inspected before you sign the lease, and bring up any warning signs in your negotiations.

Find Trustworthy Commercial Real Estate Brokers

Be careful about which brokers you trust. Remember that often landlords are paying a broker’s commission, so the broker might be biased in negotiations. Trust your real estate lawyer, and ask them for recommendations of good brokers, as well as have them double check details of your lease.You also want to make sure that the broker you work with has experience with the particular type of commercial real estate you are looking for.

That said, a good broker is essential to negotiating a good deal, since brokers will know the market and what concessions landlords are generally willing to give. Be proactive with your broker and don’t settle for a simple, standard lease.

This is a great time to take advantage of a renter’s market, but it is important to be a savvy negotiator in order to seek out the best concessions and avoid all the pitfalls of a commercial real estate lease!

If your business would like to rent office space in Overland Park, give us a call at 913-685-4100 to arrange a tour of a commercial office space for rent in Overland Park, KS.

Rent Office Space in Overland Park: 4 Simple Ways to Transform a New Office Space

Early searches and negotiations for an office space for rent in Overland Park have to be about finding a design that accommodates your needs: the amount of square footage, the layout, any build outs you need, parking and accessibility needs, etc. But once all of those decisions are made, how can you take your office space for lease in Overland Park, KS, to the next level – with very little leftover cash to go on?

Making little transformations doesn’t have to break your budget, but this attention to detail can really have a huge impact on employee comfort and morale. Here are a few suggestions for how to spruce up a commercial office space for rent in Overland Park, KS, on a dime, as suggested in the article “Improving Office Space: the Transformation from Blah to Huzzah!”:

#1 Increase comfort through little things.

Little things to improve employee comfort are noticed and appreciated by employees, and this can increase their satisfaction and productivity during the workday. Some ways you can make your office more comfortable include:

Furniture & Equipment – Ergonomic furniture and other equipment can improve employees’ health and well-being by reducing back and neck strain, as well as the risk of eye damage or carpal tunnel syndrome. Look for better chairs, ergonomic keyboards and comfortable lighting that employees can adjust – you might even be able to find this secondhand or rent it.
Break Room – Pay special attention to your break room. Is there a vending machine? Cold and warm beverages available? Comfortable chairs or couches to make the space an inviting area for recharging?
Temperature – A common complaint in offices are areas that are either too hot or absolutely freezing. An ideal situation would be to have different temperature “zones” in different parts of the office so employees can make adjustments to be most comfortable.

Studies have repeatedly shown that a comfortable environment can boost both morale and productivity in an office.

#2 Maximize natural lighting.

This is another element of an office space that has been proven to hugely benefit employee mood. Try to make sure that everyone in your office has access to some natural lighting. If you have an open office plan, situate the workstations near the windows. If window space is limited, try to locate an employee break room or a common work area in a place with windows so employees can go there to soak up some sunlight as needed.

If you are still in the process of designing an office space, look into building in skylights or even a central atrium to spread light around the office. Full-spectrum lights can also imitate the effects of natural light if your access to window space is limited.

#3 Create flexible spaces.

The office space world has been overhauled in the past few years, moving from cubicles to more open, collaborative spaces – but that doesn’t mean creative chaos works for every employee, and open spaces can end up making a workplace noisy and distracting if it is the only mode of operation.

The ideal situation is to achieve a balance of open spaces for cooperation, along with quiet, private spaces for individual work, promoting both teamwork and tranquility. In addition to designating certain quiet areas, another practical way to do this is to find workstation desks that can easily be moved and rearranged. This makes a space perpetually adaptable to your needs and is an inexpensive way to keep things fresh.

#4 Invest in decoration.

No one wants to stare at corporate white walls and grey cubicle dividers all day, so check out some of these easy ways to spice up the decor in your office without breaking the bank:

Color – opt for splashes of bright color here and there to brighten up the typically drab business palate, either through painting an accent wall or looking for bright furniture pieces.
Art – some interesting art can give a space a unique touch – for example, an unusual painting by a local artist or a recycled sculpture. This can also be a way to express the values and culture of your company.
Nature – bring in some plants! Like sunlight, plants are also proven to boost mood and reduce stress. Some water fountains or other water sculptures can also add a natural element.
“Play” features – so many companies are embracing the idea that a little entertainment in a work space is a good way to fuel creativity and and boost energy. Consider adding some Legos to your break area or other whimsical items.
Personalization – the cheapest way to decorate is to let employees do it themselves. Give people the chance to decorate their own individual spaces, a practice that has been shown to improve productivity and satisfaction by as much as 30%.

Look for decoration that inspires employees and brightens their day and reap the reward of higher satisfaction and productivity levels.

Small efforts to make a space inviting can be a source of well-being and motivation for employees for years to come. So once you get through the big projects in a new office space, keep in mind the details as you shop for furniture, paint, lighting and other features of your office space.

Looking to rent office space in Overland Park? Give us a call at 913-685-4100 to find out more about an affordable potential Kansas office space for rent and even schedule a tour.

Office Space for Rent in Overland Park: The 5 Things You Should Always Negotiate

If you’re looking for office space for rent in Overland Park, there is bad news and good news: there is no standard commercial lease. This is bad aspect of this means that there is no standard blueprint for you to follow, and thus some room for error. But the good thing is that a savvy negotiator can use this flexibility to their advantage to get an even better deal for their business, and the key to being this kind of negotiator is knowing where you can push for better terms. Negotiation is expected when leasing Kansas City office space for rent, and here are some areas where you absolutely should negotiate for the best possible deal, as suggested in the article “Negotiating a Lease for Commercial Real Estate”:

#1 Lease Length

This is an aspect of the lease that could have huge financial consequences, especially for a new business. There is a balance to keep in mind with lease length: on the one hand, shorter term leases mean more flexibility for businesses in the event that a business outgrows a space or finds itself unable to pay rent. On the other hand, a longer term lease usually comes with more concessions from a landlord, because landlords don’t want to go through the expense and hassle of re-renting a space every few years. Go for longer if you are confident your business will be able to pay rent for the term, but if you are unsure, try to negotiate for a short lease term with option to renew.

#2 Rent

The most basic calculation of rent is multiplying the cost per square foot by the square footage of the space, and then dividing that number by 12 to get the monthly rental rate. However, monthly rent really varies depending on the type of lease your landlord is offering. Here are some different possibilities:

Gross Lease – Costs like utilities, taxes, maintenance, and insurance are all factored into the monthly rental rate. Because of this, the monthly rental rate will be higher, but you as the tenant will pay the same amount each month.
Net lease – Opposite of a gross lease, the tenant is responsible for utilities, taxes, insurance, and repairs in addition to rent. This means that instead of a flat monthly rate, the expenses may vary, which is a good opportunity to potentially save some money, but also more difficult to budget for. There are variations on the net lease (the double and tripe net leases), in which the different elements the tenant pays for (utilities, repairs, etc.) varies.

Make sure you know what kind of lease you are getting into, and whether things like common area maintenance and other fees are included in your monthly rate. You might also think about which lease would be better for your business’s budgeting needs as you are looking at and comparing spaces.

You might be able to negotiate rent depending on the location of the property and the current market conditions, but if nothing else you should address rent increases in your negotiations. Most landlords have an annual rent increase clause in their lease, and depending on the length of your lease, you could ask for a grace period from this or negotiate a cap on the percentage increase each year.

#3 Exit Strategies

For new businesses in particular, this is an essential leasing issue to address. Since it will be hard to get out of a lease outright without incurring serious penalties, your best bet is to ask for subleasing and assignment options.

Subleasing means that you can sublease some or all of your space to another tenant – though you will still be the responsible party for the lease and your choice of tenant will probably be subject to the landlord’s approval. In an assignment situation, you would be able to transfer the terms of the lease entirely to a new tenant. These two options are a good compromise, because they can save your business from dire financial straits, and save the landlord from rushing to find a new tenant.

#4 Permitted Use Clause

This seemingly small detail is also good to keep in mind if you are pushing for a subleasing option. The permitted use clause describes what is allowed in a space, and you want to make these terms as broad as possible to cover any potential expansions in your own business or subleasing tenants.

#5 Build-outs & Improvements

You might have to make some changes to a space to tailor it to your business’s needs – or even simply to make it functional. This is a great place to negotiate who is responsible for what kinds of improvements or renovations – both in terms of paying for the changes and overseeing them. You might be able to get a landlord to give you a build out allowance, especially if you are willing to sign a longer lease. Make sure you also address whether the space needs to be returned to its original condition when you move out, as this will be an expense to your business if that’s the case.

Remember as you enter the commercial leasing process that there is a lot of room for negotiation. Don’t be afraid to push for more favorable terms when you rent office space in Overland Park, but also think about where you can compromise so there is some give and take.

Interested in office space for lease Overland Park, KS? Give one of our commercial real estate brokers a call today at 913-685-4100 to find out more about our available office spaces for rent Overland Park, KS!

Rent Office Space in Overland Park: Everything You Need to Know About Lease Length

Lease length for Kansas office space for rent is one of the trickiest but most important issues to address in lease negotiations. Sign a lease that is too long and you could be stuck in a space that you’ve either outgrown or cannot afford, but signing a short lease could mean that you give up a good space sooner than you want. Here are a few different ways lessees approach this problem in their search for office space for rent in Overland Park, as described in the articles “Short Term Leases – How To Find Flexible Leases and When To Go With A Sublease” and “Extending Your Office Lease: Should You Sign a Lease Extension Agreement?”:

Short Term Leases

Truly short term leases can be hard to come by, with the minimum typically being about three years. This could be too long for a lot of start ups, who need just a small space and short term to give themselves flexibility – but even if they do find such a lease, it often comes with strings attached.

It takes some serious effort to find landlords willing to consider a year-long lease or month-by-month rent, and when a small business does find a willing landlord, they trade off this benefit for any leverage they might have had in negotiations. This could result in anything from paying higher rent per square foot to losing tenant improvement allowances.

However, it is possible to find a good short term lease deal, and one of the best ways to expedite this process is to work with a good real estate broker and have an attorney assist your business in lease negotiations.

Subletting or Assigning

One way to sign a longer lease and ease your anxiety is to negotiate for the right to sublease the space if needed. Here are a few things to consider in your sublease provision negotiations:

Do you have the right to sublease some or all of the space?
How soon do you need to notify the landlord about exercising this right, and in what way should they be informed (i.e. certified mail or just an email)?
Will you still be fully responsible for enforcing lease terms if you sublease to another tenant? This is important – if you are still on the hook for the lease even if you are no longer in the space, you need to chose the new tenant wisely.

Another possibility is to ask for the option to assign the lease to a new tenant entirely if you can no longer afford the space. In this event, all of the rights and responsibilities of the lease would be transferred to the new party.

Negotiating for one of these clauses could be mutually beneficial for both you and the landlord if it means you will sign a longer lease. The landlord will be happy because of a longer period of assured rent, and you will have the flexibility of keeping the space or a backdoor if you need it.

Lease Extension Clause

If you do sign a two year lease, for example, but you are worried that this will be too short, take advantage of including an extension clause or option to renew in your lease. This gives you the power to decide at a later date if staying in the space would be best for your business. Here are a few things to consider about exercising this option to extend your lease:

Start the process early. Don’t wait until three months before the end of your lease; you should ideally start thinking about it nine months early.
Determine if you want to stay. Take that time to think about whether it is best for your business to stay or look elsewhere. If you do not foresee major growth, downsizing or a need for a different location anytime soon, then renewing your lease might be your best and cheapest option.
Research the market. Do your homework on what other spaces are available in your area and what rates, privileges and other concessions they might be offering. This will give you more leverage in negotiations with landlords, both because you will have a basis of comparison, and because both you and the landlord know you have other options out there if the new terms are unfavorable.
Decide whether to hire a broker. The lease renewal process is one stage where you could forego a broker because you know the landlord and the space very well by this point. However, hiring a broker could communicate to the landlord that you are serious about negotiating for some big concessions.
Negotiate. You know the space, so you can talk nitty gritty details of what you want improved or what concessions you need. Be aggressive, but friendly, and remember that ultimately it’s cheaper for both of you if you renew the lease, so look for compromises and common ground.

The key to having the option to extend is to negotiate for it in your original lease and to be aware of the right time to exercise it.

Lease length does not have to be a death sentence for start ups trying to rent office space in Overland Park, but navigating this aspect of leasing does require a little more effort and research. Know your options, and don’t let yourself be backed into signing an unfavorable lease.

If your business is interested in commercial office space for rent in Overland Park, KS, give one of our commercial real estate brokers a call at 913-685-4100 for more information about our office space for rent in Overland Park.

Office Space for Lease in Overland Park, KS: 4 Questions for Finding an Environmentally Friendly Space

Looking for an environmentally friendly Kansas Office Space For Rent can be a bit of hassle when trying to juggle all of your business’s priorities for an office space. But going green in your office is not only good for the environment, but good for your bottom line and the general health and well being of your employees. Here are a few questions to ask when trying to find that perfect green office space for rent in Overland Park, as suggested in the article “How to Find a Green Building”:

1. How does the building operate and look?

Is there a recycling program? Can the landlord confirm that they make measurable savings on energy, water and garbage? Do they avoid the use of toxic cleaning products and other office supplies? These are some of the major factors in an environmentally friendly space, but don’t forget about more aesthetic factors, like natural lighting or open spaces with greenery. Try to gather as much information as you can about these initial questions through landlords, current tenants and your own visits to office spaces for rent in Overland Park, KS.

4. Is the building LEED Certified?

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is the 1994 program created to help support, certify and reward buildings that have certain green qualities. A lot of information is out there about LEED certified buildings, which need to meet a number of qualifications to achieve certification. For a building to become LEED certified it must complete a number of green projects ranging from planting drought-tolerant and native plants to installing rain water collection systems. Buildings are rated through a point system based on these projects. If a building is LEED certified, this is good external confirmation that they are really making an effort to be green.

2. What is their Energy Star rating?

Energy Star is a rating-based program started in 1992 through the EPA. They look at a number of factors, but tend to focus on the conservation of energy, pollution and water. To be included on this Energy Star list a business needs to meet certain criteria for energy consciousness in the building’s management. One way of doing that is making sure that management posts signs that encourage conservation, buys paper products with recycled material, and tries to eliminate water bottle consumption among employees. Beyond just your initial questions and observations, this is an another objective way for you to check if the property owner is truly trying to be environmentally conscious.

3. Can you save energy and costs on transportation?

Can your employees walk or bike to work? How far away is your business from public transport or residential neighborhoods? Having employees drive to work every morning means more emissions and a higher environmental impact – walkability and transportation are key things to think about if your business is truly serious about lowering your footprint. There are several websites that calculate the potential walkability of the business you are looking at; these will include everything from bike lanes and hills to parks and car shares.

If your business is interested in finding a green office space for lease in Overland Park, KS, keep these questions in mind as you do your research and visit potential spaces.

Looking to rent office space Overland Park, give us a call at 913-685-4100 for more information about our available spaces!

6 Tips for Touring An Office Space for Lease in Overland Park, KS

You’ve made a list of what you want, decided on your budget, found a few potential options – and now its time to start touring office spaces for rent in Overland Park, KS, and really getting to the nitty gritty details of what might make one space better than another. Here are a few tips for navigating this stage of finding office space for rent in Overland Park, as suggested in the article “How to Get the Most Out of Office Tours”:

#1 Do Your Homework

Don’t set foot on a property without taking the time to carefully research it first and crafting a list of your questions and concerns. Prioritize your needs and ask questions throughout the tour relevant to whether the space can meet them.

#2 Avoid Over-sharing

While you’re on a tour, try to be as neutral and objective as possible and not give away your interest in a space. Over-enthusiasm can damage the leverage you have during negotiations. Avoid looking too eager for a space by only bringing a few key people with you to the tour, and save your serious conversations about the space until after you leave. Definitely ask questions to clarify any specific concerns, but avoid delivering any general positive verdicts about the space.

#3 Don’t Overdo the Tours

Too many tours can break your focus and cause you to miss out on specific, meaningful details. Try to pace yourself, and don’t do more than four per day. This will help you keep sharp and fresh for taking notes to use in detailed comparisons of spaces.

#4 Pay Attention to the Leasing Agent

While you want to have plenty of questions prepared, try to listen carefully first to the agent’s presentation and save your questions until the end. This way you can both absorb new information and not reveal too much about the research you have already done on the property, which can give you an edge later in negotiations.

#5 Check Out Your Neighbors

Stop by the building’s directory and look through the other tenants you will be sharing the property with. Keep an eye out for competitors or other companies that could become problematic at some point, as well as reliable businesses who might be able to give you some insight into their experience with the landlord.

#6 Come Back When It’s Busy

Try to make time to revisit a space during the busiest times of day to get an idea of what foot and car traffic will be like during peak hours. This can help you assess the efficiency of the property’s crowd management as well as how their security team operates.

Tours are an exciting step in the leasing process, but they are definitely not the first step – take the time to prepare ahead of time and go into each visit with a strategy for how much you will reveal and what you need to ask about a Kansas office space for rent.

If your business is looking to rent office space in Overland Park, give us a call at 193-685-4100 to set up a tour of an office space for lease in Overland Park, KS!

5 Tech Tips for a New Office Spaces For Rent In Overland Park, Kansas

Technology is an important part of any office space for lease in Overland Park, Kansas, especially in this age of ever developing technology in the business world. The tech infrastructure is becoming one of the key features in most office spaces and is very important to most business owners. So while you are looking for an office space for rent in Overland Park, make sure to keep these five technology concerns in mind to ask a landlord about, as outlined in “Moving to a New Office? 7 Questions You Need to Ask About Tech“:

1) Wired Certified

One of the annoying hassles that might come with moving into a new office building is trying to fit it with all the necessary wiring for Internet and telephones. Having a team of IT consultants might help, but even then the information will be secondhand and would be difficult to gauge the accuracy of the of their assessment. What’s the best way to deal with this situation and stay ahead? Probably make sure the building is Wired Certified. This means that the building has been confirmed that it can support an internet-driven business and you don’t have to deal with any inaccurate out-of-date information.

2) Telecom Services

Telecom companies offer a range options for people trying to find good service in an area. Companies offer deals ranging from independent fiber options to leasing telephone lines through larger telecom businesses. It’s good to determine which options are best for your business before you move into a space, so you might consider consulting with a trusted IT person who could guide you in assessing some of your requirements.

3) Existing Tech Issues

Getting to know your office neighbors is beneficial for a lot of reasons – one of which is that they know what kind of technology the building is equipped with and whether or not it functions as it should. Knowing about any problems the other tenants had while moving in and the insider knowledge on recommendations for telecom providers and Internet services that they’ve already done the research for can cut the time you spend figuring it out for yourself. Also its just good business to get to know your future neighbors!

4) Setting Up Equipment

To avoid any problems and delays, you may want to get your business up and running in a new space as soon as possible, which means making sure any technology equipment in the building is situated for your arrival. You can avoid setbacks by making sure that the office has all of the equipment that they say they do – for example, you may come across some places that advertise fiber cable service but in reality doesn’t have the setup. So be prepared for adding extra construction costs if this something that you need.

5) New Provider

If necessary, consider asking your landlord for a new provider as part of the negotiation process. This could be one point of contention for you if the landlord has a specific provider dedicated to your building, but it is still worth looking into and negotiating for a different telecom provider if it is the difference between making or breaking you interest in the space. Sometimes brokers are willing to work with you to meet these requirements.

If you are getting ready to move into a new office space, make sure that you have done your homework to make sure your business has access to any technology that it needs!

So if you are looking to rent office space in Overland Park make sure to check out our Kansas office spaces that are for rent and give one of our brokers a call at 913-685-4100, to set up a tour of our office spaces for lease in Overland Park, Kansas.

Finding Office Spaces for Rent in Overland Park, KS: 5 Tips for a Small Business Moving to a Professional Office Space

Moving out of the home and into a professional office space for rent in Overland Park, KS, is a big step for a startup business. This upgrade can be both a source of angst and excitement as you navigate trying to find a space that meets your needs and is within your price range. As you begin this search, make sure you are equipped with the right tools to get the best possible deal. Check out these tips on finding the best space for your growing business, as suggested in the article “7 Expert Tips on Finding the Perfect Office Space for Your Startup”:

#1 Calculate Space

The first step in finding the best possible office space for rent in Overland Park for your business is to determine how much space you really need. Different experts give different numbers, but one good baseline calculation is to allow about 1000 square feet per four employees. Remember that there are options for making your space more flexible, such as allowing some employees to work from home and thus share desks, or creating various work areas for different purposes if you have employees with laptops who can be mobile.

#2 Consider Employees

When selecting a new space, you always want to consider the effect it will have on your employees. Will they have to travel father to get to this space? Are there good parking or public transport options? Choosing a location that suits your workforce will help you keep good employees around.

#3 Check Up On Your Landlord

A bad landlord can have a really negative impact on your time in a space, so make sure you do your homework to get a read on the landlord of a property. Start by talking to other tenants in the building to see how the landlord deals with problems, and you should be able to make some judgments when you visit a space based on how well-maintained it is.

#4 Find a Good Agent

When looking for an agent to work with, it is always best to go with someone who comes with a good recommendation. This person is going to be one of your biggest assets in negotiating a good lease, so you want someone that a friend or collague can vouch for. At the very least, do a little research on potential agents on sites like Zillow or LinkedIn.

#5 Negotiate, Negotiate, Negotiate!

Don’t take anything at face value when negotiating your lease, including the rental rate. Often businesses can negotiate down the listed rent by 5 to 20%, or ask for a period of free rent – for example, one month of free rent for every year of your lease. Try for what you can, and know that worst case scenario the landlord simply says no.

If you are a small business finally moving out of the home and into a professional Kansas office space for rent, try to break down the big process into manageable pieces – determining how much space you need, what effect the move will have on your employees, finding a good agent and then landlord, and negotiating anything you can in your lease. Performing due diligence in your search for a space can really shape the course of your business in the long run!

If your business is trying to rent office space in Overland Park, give us a call at 913-685-4100 to find out more about our available office space for lease in Overland Park, KS, or to set up a tour of one of our spaces!