Singapore office spaces

Though handling work from home can be convenient and cost-saving, having a dedicated office space can be beneficial too. Besides increased productivity and efficiency, it will also help you separate work from your life at home.

However, we know that looking for office space isn’t as simple as it looks. Before you start your search, here are some things you can consider.

What will your office be used for?

The first thing to consider is what you will use your office space for. Offices are conducive locations to host business meetings and for your team to gather regularly. They also provide added convenience if you need a location to be closer to other businesses.

You will also need to consider the kind of impression you want to make with your office. For example, business clients may have more trust in your company if they see your team working together in the same space, instead of individually at home.

There may be other reasons for needing an office, such as location and communication issues. Whichever it is, be certain that your office will meet your most pressing need.

How much space do you need?

Next is to decide on the size of your office space. This is dependant on the number of employees you have and the requirements of other shared spaces. Also, make sure to factor in your long-term and short-term plans. For example, you may want to have a larger space for team growth.

Generally speaking, you will need about 70 square feet of space per person – large enough to fit in a working desk and chair without being too cramped. If you need a conference room, aim to allocate at least 23 square feet of additional space for every 10 people.

You can also use this Floor Space Calculator to find out how much space you will need.

Coworking and sharing office space

Not everyone may have the capital to rent out a whole office space. If you are looking to cut costs on rental, coworking spaces are an alternative you can consider. These spaces have been popping up all around Singapore over the past 3 years and now take up around 5% of Singapore’s total office space.

Coworking spaces are generally more affordable as they come fully furnished. They also have flexible plans that allow you to lease out only what you need. Some even allow you to rent out a dedicated space for you and your team. Furthermore, these spaces allow you to simply lease more desks in the same place if you plan on expanding your team.

However, there are some occasions where a traditional office space might be a better option:

• You need warehouse space
• You require corporate branding
• You host important corporate clients regularly
• You are concerned about privacy and security

Looking for options

With the internet now at our fingertips, the easiest way to search for an office to lease is online. This way, you can easily consolidate all your options. But if you do not have the time to take care of this administrative work, you can turn to intermediaries that will help you sort out the process. 

Often, they will help you sort options, communicate with office landlords, and give you advice on pricing and contracts.

What to look out for during viewings

Besides the amount of space you get, there are also several other factors you need to consider before making your decision.

During viewings, look at the condition of the office. Is there enough natural lighting? Do you need a raised floor system to hide network wires and cables? Is the building exterior suitable to fit your corporate image?

Secondly, consider its location. The best is always to have it accessible by public transport. Do also look at the number of parking spaces available to you as a tenant and the retail and F&B options available nearby.

Other factors you can consider include available security and who the other tenants are in the building. Of course, this depends on your preferences.

Office spaces and productivity

When you create an office space, you will want it to be as productive as possible. To do that, ensure that your office has:

• Ample natural and electric lighting
• Comfortable office furniture and conducive layout
• Good air quality
• Peaceful sounds

We hope that you’ll find a suitable space for you and your team to work in with these tips. If you need further help with other matters such as accounting, taxation, and incorporation, be sure to reach out to us at Margin Wheeler to get it all sorted out.