How to rent an office: business park, cabins and power backup
How much space you really need
Go by the number of people, not by “as big as possible”. Usually one workstation needs a few square feet, plus a meeting room, a kitchen and a place for storage. An office for four people with a meeting room is a quite different size from four desks in open space. So in the request it is better to give both the size and the number of workstations: owners will see for themselves whether the layout fits.
What to put in your request
- area or address — the city centre, near the metro or near your clients;
- size — a range, for example 400–500 sq ft;
- rent — a monthly total or per sq ft;
- workstations — how many people will work;
- type of building — a Grade A, B or C business park, a residential building, a standalone building;
- layout — open space or separate cabins, a meeting room, a kitchen;
- condition and furniture — fitted out, furnished or empty;
- generator and power backup — backup power, a backup internet line, lift cover;
- rental term — for example, from one year.
Example: “Looking for an office in central Toronto, 400–500 sq ft, for 4 workstations: two cabins and a small meeting room. A Grade B business park, furnished, with a generator and power backup a must. Rent up to $700 a month, agreement from 1 year.”
What sets the offers apart
Do not compare the rate per sq ft in different buildings directly. In one place the rate covers cleaning, security and common areas, in another you will pay separately for maintenance and parking. Ask whether tax is included in the price, if you work on the regular tax system.
Find out separately how the building copes with power cuts: whether there is a generator for the whole floor or only for the lift and lights, and whether the internet stays up. Ask who pays for repairs if you make your own changes, and whether there is a rent-free period while you fit out. A common mistake is to sign an agreement without viewing the office during working hours, when you can see the noise, the lifts and the state of the corridors.
How it works through BlaBlaPrice
Owners and agents answer your request in the chat: what they offer, the price, the terms, whether there are photos. The request is checked before it is shown, and BlaBlaPrice shows the offer that is best on the merits first. Owners see where they stand among the others, so they often improve their terms. Your contacts stay hidden until you choose an option yourself. Details are on the “How it works” page.
For a small team you can look at coworking spaces, and if you have not decided on the type yet, there is general commercial property to rent.
