As a dental practitioner in Washington DC, you must know by now how important the location of your medical office is to ensuring the success of your practice. If you’re able to find a good, spacious Washington DC medical office space for your business, you’re already halfway there.
Washington DC is not just one of the busiest cities in the world but also a city of dreams. A thriving business space in the national capital can help you successfully get your dental practice off the ground. However, there are some traps that most first-time renters fall into when choosing their first medical office space, and avoiding them will help you save a lot of money.
So, if you are a medical professional looking to rent medical office space in Washington DC, here are some tips to help in your search.
See if you genuinely require a rental office
To thrive, a successful medical practitioner must have a specialized workplace. However, many businesses now operate from home offices or perhaps even co-working facilities. These are less expensive options and reserve significantly lower investments than a full-fledged medical office.
Select a location that’s close
If you are in Washington DC, you need to have dedicated office space; the locality will most likely be your most crucial factor when leasing your office space.
In addition, you must also factor in how accessible your office will be to your staff. Of course, most of your staff won’t be with you permanently. However, that shouldn’t stop you from being considerate of their requirements. After all, even if someone on your team leaves, their replacement may need the same accommodations and accessibility options as your previous employee, so always take this into consideration.
Always consider the nearby facilities
Another element to consider when hiring your medical office space is the proximity of facilities. Your employees will most likely prefer working in a hospital near eateries and cafés.
Additionally, your patients might want to do 2 or more chores together, so you should try to look for a location with other facilities such as supermarkets, laundromats, etc.
Maintain a Strict Budget
The cost must be your next priority. While location and size are important, you must also stick to your budget as much as possible. You may see a perfect space in the right location that’s slightly over your budget, but it may be worth it if the location will help you get more footfall.
However, try not to exceed your budget by a lot, as you may end up over-extending yourself, putting you in a precarious situation where you need your business to give you profits immediately, and that, needless to say, is impractical.
Prepare for Unexpected Expenses
Acquiring a workspace comes with a slew of expenditures. When it pertains to most buildings, the actual rent is only a portion of the equation. And if you don’t consider them in your first budget, those additional expenditures may quickly pile up.
Make sure you comprehend what is (and is not) included in the stated rent. Is it the Landlord’s intention for you to spend on your utilities? Phone and internet? What about snow and ice expulsion? Make confident that it is obvious and spelled out explicitly in the agreement.
Decide on how you want the office to be set up:
Do you like an open approach or more confined work environments? Different managers and staff have other interests. So consider what design would be ideal for your team and select a workplace that accommodates itself to your desired arrangement.
Think about parking and bike storage:
Another essential consideration that you may neglect when obtaining your Washington DC medical office space is parking. You must ensure there is adequate parking places adjacent so that your staff can walk in the door promptly and without difficulty. A protected parking lot or designated location is advantageous. Alternatively, if you’re in a more bike-friendly region, make sure there’s a rack or have enough space someplace in the facility for staff to keep their bikes.
Consider how the workplace will look to others:
Whether you like that or not, your workplace conveys a statement to people about your business. If you pick a dilapidated structure, it may signal to clients that you are faltering. However, if you blow your money on a fancy space for your first office, people may believe they are overpaying you.
Have a Meeting Location:
Apart from workstations or cubicles, you’ll need to consider various additional areas that can be valuable to your group. Do you require a large conference room or a series of smaller meeting spaces? Do you need a cafeteria or other specialized areas? Make sure you answer these basic queries when planning to set a meeting space.
Understand Exactly How the Space Will Be Delivered to You
Several offices do not always arrive on time. And some might even necessitate some preparation before you can move your belongings in. You must ask such questions if you want to know precisely what the place will seem like if you decide to rent it.
Make sure that you comprehend how the workspace will be given. Do you need painting and carpeting, or do you need partitions and doorways changed or added? “Who will pay for these upgrades?” It would be best if you got answers to these questions before choosing a Washington DC medical office space for your business.
Always consult a real estate broker
The advantages of utilizing a real estate broker include the extra services they may provide, such as market evaluation, lease management, and asset management. A real estate broker works with a wide range of businesses, including construction companies, company owners, and third-party investors such as banks and credit unions, as well as financial creditors.
Unlike conventional agents, real estate brokers are highly efficient and have a thorough understanding of your needs.