Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Deciding whether to refurbish, reconfigure or relocate your office is a major business decision.
A lease break, renewal, or expiry can quickly be framed as a simple stay-or-go question, but the right answer usually depends on a wider set of factors: cost, programme, operational disruption, landlord requirements, staff needs, IT, furniture, approvals, and long-term suitability.
Establishing a clear plan early gives leadership teams a better basis for comparing options and making informed decisions before time pressure begins to build.
Establish your business case
Several events can trigger the need to refurbish, reconfigure or relocate, including business growth, cost reduction, lease events, team changes, operational inefficiencies or the need to make better use of existing space.
A clear business case helps define what the workplace needs to achieve before decisions are made about premises, layouts, budgets or procurement.
This should include the size and location of the business, future growth plans, working patterns, operational requirements, client-facing needs, technology requirements, sustainability goals and the level of disruption the organisation can realistically manage.
Gathering staff input can also be useful, but the key is to translate that feedback into a practical brief that supports commercial decision-making.
Work out what budgets might be required
Establishing a clear breakdown of potential costs is essential when comparing your options.
As well as building-related expenditure such as rent, service charges and maintenance obligations, typical items to consider include professional services, workplace consultancy, design development, fit-out works, IT infrastructure, specialist installations, furniture, AV, move costs, temporary accommodation and potential dilapidation liabilities.
This analysis can also highlight whether there may be opportunities to seek landlord contributions, particularly where proposed works improve the long-term value, flexibility or marketability of the premises.
Start planning at least 12 months in advance
Don’t underestimate the size of a project
Involving workplace consultancy firms, construction industry professionals, and commercial property advisers early can help you compare the practical implications of refurbishing, reconfiguring or relocating before committing to a direction.
POS supports clients at the early stages of workplace decision-making, helping them clarify requirements, compare options and understand the practical implications of changing their existing office or moving to a new space.
Our workplace consultancy service helps establish a clear brief, test the suitability of existing or alternative premises, identify likely budget ranges, review programme constraints and provide practical guidance before a project becomes live.
If you are approaching a lease break, renewal or expiry, or considering whether to refit, refurbish or relocate, get in touch with our team to review your options before committing to a direction.