By Anica Oaks

Bigger isn’t always better in the world of office space. There comes a time when many businesses need to think about downsizing the space in which they work, a process that takes far more planning than many realize. As you consider downsizing, it’s vital that you ask yourself a few key questions.

Do you need all the space you have?

First and foremost, you must decide if your current office space is actually being used. While it’s always nice to have some extra space, unused space really isn’t a necessity. If you’re looking at empty offices and unused cubicles and you don’t see yourself expanding or growing in the near future, you might want to consider moving to a smaller space.

Will the cost be different?

Most businesses downsize because doing so will save money. If you’re going to move to a smaller space, are you going to end up paying less? If not, are you going to be moving to a more desirable area and thus you’ll be sacrificing square footage for a more customer and client-friendly address? You need to know what you’re going to gain from this move because the move itself will still come with expenses for you to consider.

How will this impact cleaning and maintenance?

How will your move impact things like office cleaning? Will you be able to keep your current contract, or will you need to find a new service? What about maintenance? Is it going to cost more or less to maintain the new office? You should also consider what is offered on your current lease and what might be offered on a new lease from a different location. These questions can have an impact on your bottom line, so they must be answered.

What will you lose?

If you do move, what are you going to lose from leaving your current space? It might be more than just some square footage, after all. Are you still going to have convenient parking? Will you still have meeting space? What does your current space have that’s worth keeping, and even more importantly, what might your employees, customers, or clients miss about what you have in your current space?

How will this impact workflow?

Finally, think about how the move will impact your employees’ day to day lives. Is it going to be convenient for them to have a smaller space? What will they not be able to do in the new space that could be done in the old space? Will making this move cause a rise or fall in productivity? When you look at the space, you should also consider the location and proximity to where your employees live. Will the commute be a deterrent for them and will that affect morale?

Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions about moving. It’s only through asking these questions that you can get the data you need to make the right choice. While reducing your rent on a space might seem like the right move on paper, you will need to take multiple factors into account before you downsize.

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Anica Oaks is a professional content and copywriter who graduated from the University of San Francisco. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she’s used to putting things to a vote. Also, cartwheels are her specialty. You can connect with Anica on Twitter @AnicaOaks.