An extra 2,000 square feet may look like room to grow when touring a property. After move-in, however, that space, amongst others, can become an expense the business carries month after month without putting it to productive use. Before buying a commercial property in Maryland, companies should develop a realistic space requirement based on how they operate today and where the business is expected to go next.
The Genau Group helps businesses navigate commercial real estate decisions throughout the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region. Our team provides tenant and buyer representation with structured, actionable guidance tailored to each client’s financial objectives and real estate requirements. Call The Genau Group today at (202) 735-5382 to discuss your commercial real estate goals and explore strategic relocation options.
Below, we discuss how to determine how much space your business needs:
How Much Space Does My Business Need?
Headcount offers a practical starting point for estimating office space. Approximately 150 to 250 square feet is recommended per employee, placing a 20-person company in an initial range of roughly 3,000 to 5,000 square feet. From there, the estimate should reflect how employees use the workplace each day.
A company built around individual workstations may need a different footprint from a firm that regularly hosts clients or relies on larger meeting spaces. For this reason, the initial calculation should serve as a benchmark for the property search. Each prospective space can then be evaluated according to how efficiently its layout supports the business.
Is 100 Square Feet Enough for an Office?
For a single employee, a 100-square-foot private office may provide enough room for a desk and essential furniture. Applying the same figure across an entire workforce is less practical. Individual offices account for only a portion of the square footage a functioning workplace requires.
Beyond those offices, employees need room to meet and move comfortably throughout the property. Consequently, businesses evaluating a commercial property for lease should calculate their requirements across the full workplace. A 10-person company, for example, may need considerably more than 1,000 square feet once the rest of its space is accounted for.
How Much Space Should You Reserve for Future Growth?
Near-term hiring plans deserve a place in the calculation before a company commits to a property. If five additional positions are realistically expected over the next several years, the search should account for where those employees will work. Planning ahead can give the company room to expand without requiring another move soon after occupancy begins.
Still, future growth should be based on credible projections. Excess square footage carries a cost from the first day of occupancy, even when the company has no immediate use for it. A measured forecast provides useful flexibility while keeping the property aligned with the business’s actual trajectory.
Does Buying or Leasing Affect Your Space Requirements?
The expected length of occupancy changes how far into the future a company should plan. Leasing provides a natural opportunity to reconsider space requirements as the end of the term approaches. A purchase usually requires a longer outlook because the business may expect to remain in the property for many years.
Accordingly, a commercial property for sale should be evaluated against more than the company’s present headcount. Leadership should consider credible staffing plans and anticipate how the use of the workplace could evolve. A property with some well-planned flexibility may continue serving the business as those needs change.
Plan Ahead with The Genau Group Before Buying a Commercial Property in Maryland
Before buying a commercial property in Maryland, businesses should understand how much space they can use effectively today and how that requirement may evolve. The Genau Group provides commercial buyer representation to help clients identify and evaluate properties that align with their real estate objectives, while also advising businesses on leasing decisions and other commercial real estate needs. To get in touch with a member of our team, call (202) 735-5382!