There are increasing number of foreign companies want to rent an office in China. If you are one of them, you may have a look of following words which will be useful for you to rent an office in China.
Step 1 Know What You Can Afford
Before you rent an office, come up with realistic business projections, and then calculate the maximum you can afford to spend on office space. Many people assume that a fancy office is somehow going to help generate business, and thus pay for itself. On the other hand, if you plan on receiving clients on-site, you should consider their convenience and comfort, and remember that a professional image is essential. However, that doesn't mean you need to rent in a building with marble floors and spectacular views.
Step 2 Define Your Space Needs
If you choose a space that's too large, you'll be throwing money down the drain. On the other hand, a growing company needs elbow room to make way for future expansion. As you're determining square-footage needs, consider the following questions:
a. Do you need a reception area for clients and other visitors?
b. Do you need a conference/meeting room?
c. Which workers require quiet and/or privacy? How many will require private offices, and how many can work in cubicles?
d. How many people do you intend to employ by the time your lease is up?
e. Are bathrooms sufficient for the number of employees?
f. Do you need a kitchen or some other communal space where employees can gather informally?
g. Do you want distinct areas for different divisions of your company (i.e. marketing, technical, administrative, management, etc.)?
Step 3 Choose a Location
When deciding on location, consider the following questions:
a. Is the building zoned for your particular commercial use?
b. Is parking available to both employees and clients?
c. Is the office convenient to public transportation?
d. Is it within easy commuting distance of a population from which you can attract quality employees?
e. Is it convenient to the kind of business services you're likely to require (printers, suppliers, shippers, and the like)?
f. Is it in a neighborhood or region that will lend prestige to your business? Is it convenient to restaurants, parks, or shopping so that you and your employees can spend your lunch hours pleasantly?
Step 4 Establish Service Needs
To get your office humming, you're going to need more than four walls and a roof. Make sure the spaces you're considering can handle your complete infrastructure needs. This could include any of the following:
a. Electrical outlets that will meet your power needs
b.Telecommunications wiring, or the possibility of installing it easily and affordably
c. Computer network wiring, or the possibility of installing it easily and affordably
d. Sufficient heating, cooling, lighting, and ventilation systems to keep your workforce comfortable
e. Services such as cleaning, garbage removal, and security
Step 5 Negotiate a Lease
Make sure you and your landlord come to an understanding on all the following points:
Length of lease
Business leases tend to last a minimum of three to five years. If you want a shorter lease, expect to pay more. Make sure you understand the penalties you face for breaking the lease, and how you can get out of the lease legally before the end of the term. For example, find out whether you can sublet the space should you need to move.
Tenant improvements
Often, businesses must make alterations or improvements to an office space. Make sure your lease gives you free reign to make any capital improvements you need at your own expense, like network wiring, additional bathroom or kitchen facilities, building or tearing down walls, or adding heating or cooling systems.
Indemnification
As an employer, you and your business face a lot of potential liabilities. Your lease should make it clear who will be financially responsible if someone is injured in your office, or if an accident or natural disaster damages equipment or prevents you from doing business.
Services
If your landlord provides cleaning and security services, are the costs included in the lease? Don't get blindsided by unexpected expenses.
