As a business owner or decision-maker, one of the most critical factors in determining the success of your company is selecting the right office space. Choosing the appropriate amount of office space is essential for maintaining productivity, employee satisfaction, and ensuring future growth. In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of estimating the amount of office space your company needs, considering factors such as the number of employees, workstations, and private offices.

Understanding the Basics of Estimating Office Space Requirements-

Space (SF) per Employee:  A common method of determining office space requirements is calculating the square footage per employee. Industry standards suggest allocating 125 to 150 square feet per employee as a starting point, although this can vary depending on the nature of your business and specific requirements.

Factoring in Common Areas:  Don’t forget to account for common areas such as meeting rooms, break rooms, reception areas, and restrooms. A good rule of thumb is to add an additional 20-25% to your total square footage to accommodate these shared spaces.

Customizing Your Office Space Needs-

Workstations vs. Private Offices – The ideal office layout will depend on your company’s specific needs and culture. Some businesses thrive in open-concept workspaces with shared desks and collaborative spaces, while others prefer the privacy and focus of individual offices. Consider the following guidelines when determining the right mix of workstations and private offices:

Workstations: For open-concept or shared workspaces, allocate approximately 60 to 75 square feet per workstation.

Private offices: For individual offices, allocate approximately 100 to 150 square feet per office, depending on the size and function of the office.

Combination Layouts: If your company requires a mix of workstations and private offices, you’ll need to factor in the space for each accordingly. Determine the total number of workstations and private offices you need, then calculate the space for each using the guidelines above. Finally, add the square footage for workstations and private offices together to obtain your total requirement.

Planning for Growth & Future Space Needs

When leasing office space, it’s essential to plan for your company’s future growth. Allocate an additional 10-20% of your total calculated square footage to accommodate potential expansion. This will help you avoid the need to move or lease additional space before your lease term expires.

Lease Flexibility:    If you’re uncertain about your future space needs or anticipate rapid growth, consider negotiating a flexible lease with options to expand or contract your space as required. This can provide you with the agility to adapt to changing business conditions without incurring significant costs.

Determining the right amount of office space for your company requires careful consideration of several factors, including the number of employees, the mix of workstations and private offices, and planning for future growth.

Contact us today to discuss your requirements and let us find the ideal space for your business.

Use our Atlanta office space calculator to quickly calculate how much office space your company needs and estimate rental costs in each of Atlanta’s office submarkets (Choose Submarket Below). Once completed…

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If you prefer to discuss your company’s space requirements with one of our brokers, or have any questions, please call 404-461-9858