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If you are making upgrades to your business it always leads to be predicated on a solid foundation, and this is none more true than when we are physically building a business premises. If you are in the process of building a physical location or you are putting the plans in place to create the perfect working environment for you and your colleagues, there are plenty of things to consider, and these include the following:

The Foundations

The reason a plot of land could be so cheap is because nothing will grow on it, and if you want your business to grow on it, you have to make sure that those foundations are able to support your physical infrastructure and suit your vision. There are things like a topographical survey that you can undertake to see how reliable the land is, as well as a number of other geotechnical services like seismic assessments or if the site is hazardous, and when you are certain there is a solid foundation, this will at least give you peace of mind to press forward.

Its Accessibility Routes

If your business needs to distribute services quickly or you need access to a number of raw materials, the accessibility routes will make a significant difference to your operation, not least in terms of its efficiency. Accessibility is something that is even more important to employees now, despite most operating at home. If you want to bring people into the office to work and be more productive, you have to make it an accessible location. The biggest problem with a premises located on an industrial estate away from any city life is that it is tougher to get to. You may not want to set up within a city center, but you still need to make it accessible in terms of public transport.

The Cost of Running It

Because you’ve opted to build a business premises, this comes with a number of upfront costs that you wouldn’t have in place if you rented your business. Most entrepreneurs make life easier for themselves by renting a business premises because this means that it’s the responsibility of the company leasing the structure to foot the bill and deal with all of the rules, regulations, and structural requirements. But if you are looking to create a modern workplace that’s more sustainable in its structure or is a solar-powered business premises, you will need to consider the overall costs of running it and if it is worth your while in the long run. Setting up an environmentally friendly business location requires more money upfront, so if you can be prepared for a difficult first few years while you break even, this can help you and your business reap dividends in the long run.

Many organizations find it better to rent or purchase a property rather than to build. But building a business location, despite all of the legwork, can be a fantastic investment for your business, not just because you can customize the place to your needs.

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When the temperature starts to drop, it can bring many challenges for your business. It’s not just your home that needs to be prepped for winter. You want your shop or office to feel warm, inviting, and safe for everyone there. 

Here are some ways to prepare your business for winter. 

Keep Your Premises Accessible

Being able to get into your office is important. Make sure you have enough salt and grit to spread over parking spaces and paths to stop ice and snow from forming. Have the number for a reliable snow removal service in your contacts to help out in very bad conditions. 

Make Repairs

If you need to make repairs to your roof or windows, it’s best to do it now rather than wait for it to be further damaged by bad weather. Leaking water can also damage equipment and stock, leaving you with a much larger bill. If left for too long, these leaks could even damage the structure of the building itself, forcing you to close while you make costly repairs. 

Have your gutters and drains cleaned out too, so that they are less likely to overflow or block during bad weather. 

Safety First

Rain and snow can lead to areas around doors and walkways getting wet and slippery. As people walk in and out, they will transfer water from outside to your offices. This can become very dangerous. If someone injures themselves, then they could potentially sue you for their injuries. 

Invest in good quality barrier mats at all doors, which can absorb the water from people’s shoes as they come in. Check floors often for water and have signs around warning people of the potential dangers. 

Keep The Temperature Comfortable

Working or shopping in a place that’s too cold can make you really uncomfortable and less productive. If your heating isn’t great, then invest in some good quality heaters to keep the temperature cozy. 

Reduce The Spread Of Viruses

The winter months are cold and flu season too. It’s common for illness to lead to staff absence as well as a drop in productivity. Unless you can cure a common cold, then you’re going to have to stick to some more practical measures. For example, this could include ensuring that there’s a fresh supply of clean air throughout the building and airing out germs. 

You should also be very vigilant with your office cleaning routine. Disinfecting phones, switches, and handles can prevent the spread of germs on these surfaces. Provide employees with hand sanitizing gel and encourage them to wash their hands frequently. 

Key points

Winter can provide a number of challenges for businesses. You need to ensure that your premises remain safe and comfortable for your employees and customers. Failing to do so could cost you a lot of money due to lost productivity, staff absence, or office closure. 

Many of the actions you need to take are remedial and a small investment ahead of time can save a lot of money later on.

Many businesses, particularly those with highly specific requirements, realize that having new custom premises constructed for them may accomplish the same outcome as building their own house, just as many first-time homeowners discover that building their own home can save money. Aside from the financial savings, you will have greater control over the amenities accessible to you, and you will end up with a far more productive workplace in general.

Of course, it requires a significant amount of additional time and effort, and there are a number of considerations to consider before making a decision. Listed below are the advantages and disadvantages of doing so.

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Advantage: Greater control over the location

Having just the possibilities that are now accessible on the market to choose from restricts your ability to choose where to locate your new workplace. Whatever location you pick will have an impact on your workers who need to go to work, and those impacts will be either favorable or negative depending on the situation. If the bulk of your personnel travels from a distant urban region, locating your company’s headquarters closer to them can have a significant positive impact on productivity and morale.

Disadvantage: Money and time

Anyone who has dealt with a construction company knows that the timeframes they provide are nearly always too optimistic! Finding the financial resources to pay architects and mechanical contractors can also be a difficult task in some cases. You must conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis in order to determine if the higher initial input costs will be worthwhile in the long run, as well as how soon they may be offset by lower future costs.

However, keep in mind that as soon as you move in, you will become your own landlord, allowing you to save a significant amount of money each month by eliminating your monthly rental fees. You will be sitting on an asset that is increasing in value at the end of it all – something that will never happen if you continue to rent!

Advantage: It may be customized to meet your needs.

It is important to recognize that you have the ability to build a place that meets all of your individual requirements. You may have to settle for less than ideal office space if you work in an odd business such as a distillery, a bakery, or even a technology company. Finding existing office space that will meet your needs might be difficult, and you may have to settle for less than ideal space in the first place. Building for the demands of the future is critical, rather than simply meeting the wants of today’s customers. You could find yourself with a significantly larger crew or the need for more space to accommodate larger equipment in five or ten years.

Instead, construct more than you need, which offers you the opportunity to rent extra space to another smaller firm and earn an additional income (which might last for years) if you do not need all of the space yourself.