Business Startup - Stage 3
Start Up Scale Checklist
We need a place to meet and work
You have got a plan that you (and your business friends) are convinced will work. You have got some money to get started. What next?
There are numerous books and guides available on what you should do to start a business. You can get them from just about any bank, bookshop or advisors like Business Link. Essentially all you really need to start on your own is some headed paper, a bank account and tell the Inland Revenue.
You can, of course, start in the classic spare bedroom, dining room or in the garage.
You probably don’t need planning permission to run a small service business from home but you should check with your local Council. The benefit of working at home is that you don’t pay extra rent. The disadvantage is the lack of a professional image and support services.
When there are a few of you, you will soon want some office space. And the first office is often the hardest decision.
More space means more fixed costs. Property leases can be expensive and restrictive. Short term rental licenses offer greater flexibility.
- Does your plan/business give you reasonably secure income?
- Can you get out of your office commitment if your business suffers?
- Is there space to expand if your business grows quickly?
Renting space in an un-serviced building on a fixed 5 year lease may be a far worse deal than a renting a unit in a managed small business centre that’s on one month’s notice.
- What facilities does the office provide?
- Will you have to pay for computer cabling, for instance? (And you can’t take it with you when you leave)
- Does it (or the site) have fast internet access? (If that’s relevant)
- Will you have to build a meeting room or internal office or are there meeting rooms you can hire nearby? Are they affordable.
- Is there any security or reception service?
- What’s the car parking like?
- Public transport?
Try Commercial Property Agents; Enterprise Hub Incubators, Set Squared
Email the Hub 'to help us to help you'