If you are going to be leasing a new office space it is important to leave no stone unturned when examining a potential space. Focusing on what the future can be and getting caught up in the moment can be easy but there are some excellent questions you can ask to unearth some issues that could be present in a new office environment. Here are some of the top 10 questions you should ask before leasing of space:

Can I see the lobby?

The lobby represents the first impression of your business.

Can I work after hours?

Many businesses do not allow for safety and access after-hours. You might not be able to access your office on weekends.

How many floors and tenants are in the building?

If you’re sharing a building of 20 floors with 30 other businesses, there’s a good chance that you’ll be waiting for an elevator for several minutes each day.

Where are elevators located?

If there’s just one elevator to get you up to your floor, this could pose a problem if it ever breaks down.

Where’s the freight access?

Understanding how you would move inventory or office furniture is important, especially if it will be a regular occurrence at your business.

Where’s the visitor directory?

The past to your office should be obvious or there should be an accessible directory for the building.

Are utilities included in the rent?

Understand the portion of the HVAC, ventilation, hydro and water you may need to pay for.

How do we handle Buildout?

Some landlords will complete renovations to customize your office space to the needs of your business. Other landlords may just give you an allowance to work under while you organize the labor. There are even some lease agreements that do not allow for modification on office spaces.

What do we do about maintenance?

You may be responsible for hiring your own cleaning service, hiring contractors for repairs and more. Some buildings have their own in-house maintenance team that is covered under your rent.

What telecommunications are installed?

If you plan on running multiple phone lines or having an answering service, you may need to install extra lines throughout a business. If the building is outfitted with new telecommunications, it could be advantageous for your business.

Keep some of these top questions in mind as you are viewing office spaces so that you don’t end up with any surprises during the lease negotiation process.

This post was written by Tara Kintz. Tara is a director at Signature Workspace which is a  Tampa office space. Signature Workspace, owned and operated by Cantor Fund Management, offers services and amenities such as private offices, flex space, co-working space, virtual offices, meeting/conference rooms, and more.