Every year, more than 627,000 small businesses open their doors for the first time. While many are successful, most won’t outgrow their current space.

If you feel that your current building is too small, congratulations! That’s a huge accomplishment! But it does mean you’ll need to find a new building to house your company.

You have two choices: move into an existing building or design a building from the ground up. Both have their own unique benefits, but building your own company headquarters gives you complete control over the look and feel of the space.

Here’s how to get the design done right the first time.

Choose the Right Location

Before you can start designing your building, you need to choose a location that will work for your business. There’s more to it than finding a property large enough to accommodate the building.

You also have to make sure the area has the right types of zoning restrictions. Some types of businesses may not be able to operate in the area you’re interested in.

Contact your city or county and ask about the zoning restrictions. If your business can legally operate in that area, you’re free to continue with the design process. But if not, you’ll need to find a different location.

Think About the Future

Building an office for your business is an investment. This means you’ll want to make sure your building can grow with your company.

Think about your plans for expansion. How much additional storage will you need? Do you plan on hiring more employees?

You’ll want to design a building that can accommodate those things easily.

If you outgrow the space a few years after you complete the project, you’ll likely lose money on the build. Remember, selling the building after investing all of your money and time into the build can eat into your budget quickly.

Make Energy Efficiency a Priority

No matter what type of business you run, you’ll want to design your building to be as energy-efficient as possible.

Incorporate windows, skylights, and natural lighting whenever possible. Invest in quality insulation that can help keep your heating and cooling costs low. Design entryways that buffer the weather conditions outside and consider designing a roof that can support solar panels.

The more you can incorporate energy-efficient methods into your design, the easier it will be to keep your future operating costs low.

Look at What You Need vs Want

It’s easy to get caught up in the dream of a perfect building. But that doesn’t mean you need every feature you can think of.

Make a list of the design elements you absolutely need. Then, do the same for the elements you’d like to have in the building.

Design the structure to include all those items necessary to do your job well. If you have space and the budget, you can start to incorporate the features that would be nice to have.

Remember, it’s always possible to add those features in the future if you can’t incorporate them immediately.

Consider Features That Make the Building Sellable

Unique construction and building design is a great way to showcase your brand’s personality. But there may come a time when you’re ready to sell the building.

Those same unique features can make the building tough to sell.

Take a moment and think like a buyer. What would make the building approachable if you were in a different industry altogether? This can be something as simple as well-thought-out landscaping or easy-access entrances for clients and customers.

Incorporating these features can make all the difference if you ever decide to sell your space.

Design a Building with Maintenance in Mind

A high-maintenance building is an expensive building. The best thing you can do is design the building in a way that makes it easy to maintain.

According to the team at Cladcan, your first priority should be to in siding that can stand up to the elements. Choose roofing materials and systems that are easy to work with. Pay for electronics and components that will last for years to come without more than the occasional tune-up.

Lower-quality materials may cost less up-front, but you’ll end up paying more in ongoing maintenance and repair costs.

Partner with a Trusted Architect

No matter what designs you have in mind, the building needs to be up to code. To make sure everything is in place, you’ll want to partner with an experienced architect and contractor to handle the finer points of the design and build process.

Get quotes from different architects and get a feel for their past projects.

Though it’s tempting to base your decision solely on price, don’t. Choose an architect and contractor that fits your budget, but most importantly, one that can bring your vision to life. The team you choose may not be the cheapest, but they’ll be the best ones for your needs.

Stick to the Design

When you’re in the middle of the build, it’s normal to think of tasks and features that you’d like to add. Just because it’s possible to make those changes doesn’t mean you should.

Unexpected additions and alterations to the building design can derail your budget and make it tough to complete the project on time. Instead, take the time you need to get the design right on paper before work starts on the site.

Remember, making changes before you start construction can save you money and helps your contractor create a realistic timetable for completion.

Custom Buildings Are the Way to Go

The only way to make sure your business has a building that fits your needs completely is to design one from the ground up. It will take time, but if you follow these tips, you’ll create a building that you’ll love for years to come.

Before you can break ground on that new building, your business needs to be successful enough to justify the investment. Make sure it is before you start listing the must-have features and design elements. Check out our recent posts for more helpful hints, tips, and tricks to translate that success into a beautifully decorated office space.

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