It should come as no surprise that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of how much office space a business needs. However, the guidelines in this article can give you a good idea of what to look for space-wise.
The Spectrum of Setups
One deciding factor will be whether your office trends toward an open or traditional space plan. At its most extreme, an open space calls for no individual offices, instead prioritizing people collaborating in a large room, potentially in groups of cubicles or tables. On the other hand, consider the traditional office space layout: Most employees will have a private office, complemented by conference rooms and so on. Businesses typically fall somewhere between these two extremes.
Figuring out the setup you want matters because offices and cubicles tend to tie up more room per employee than do open areas. For example, according to guidelines posted by the office moving service Houston Installation, offices range from 100 to 300 square feet, while open-area workstations require 36 to 100 square feet.
Determining the Number of Employees
Another way to approach the problem of determining your office space needs is by looking at the number of employees. For instance, Business.com recommends that the average workspace provide 120 square feet for each employee. A good rule of thumb is 50 square feet per workstation. The rest of the office space will be devoted to storage, break areas, and the like. (Keep in mind that certain professions will naturally require more space per employee. A law firm, which needs private offices for meetings with clients confidentially, is one example of that.)
It’s also important to take into account whether you expect your business to add employees and what type of staff they will be. For instance, adding multiple executives who require 300-square-foot offices can rapidly increase your space needs. Carefully considering your current and future needs now can help you avoid an abrupt, disruptive move later.
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