How to Choose the Right Office Broker

Selecting the appropriate office broker is crucial when searching for London office space for your business. An experienced office broker can save you time, money, and potential headaches by leveraging their market knowledge, industry connections, and negotiation skills. By choosing the right office broker, you're not just finding an office space; you're partnering with an expert who can guide you through the complex process of securing an office space that will support your business's growth and success.

What does an office broker do?

Office brokers provide their services to help you find and secure a new office space in your desired location. For example, if you are looking for London office space, an office broker can help in guiding your office search by finding different options within the city, and will be on hand for you to ask for advice on a subject where you didn’t even know where to start. Office brokers are there to bridge the gap between you and the office space market.

Searching for London office space without the help of an office broker

Searching for London office space without the assistance of an office broker can be a stressful and time-consuming task for business owners. The office space market is often complex, with many office space listings not publicly advertised. Without an office broker’s network and resources, you may miss out on suitable options or struggle to identify office spaces that truly meet your needs. Negotiating lease terms, understanding market rates, and navigating legal requirements can be challenging for those unfamiliar with office broker practices. Additionally, you may overlook crucial factors such as growth possibilities or hidden costs.

How can an office broker help with my search for London office space?

Whether you’re considering a private office, coworking space, serviced office space or a managed space, office brokers can help you find options that meet your specific needs. Office brokers will consider your preferable location, headcount, cost per sqft, and amenities such as meeting rooms, on-site gyms and outdoor terraces. An office broker will also be familiar with lease terms, and potential hidden costs, ensuring you make an informed decision. Furthermore, office brokers can provide valuable insights into future market trends, which may impact your long-term business plans.

Identifying what office broker support you are looking for

In order to make educated decisions on your search for office space, it is important to understand the different types of office broker services and what office broker support will suit your business best.

The different types of office brokers

Online office brokers

Traditionally, when dealing with office space, a human office broker is involved in the process. This office broker is often associated with a commercial real estate agency, which could be a small, independent office broker or traditional office broker.

PropTech companies have created online platforms with search engines that present tailored results according to your specific office space needs. This will require you to self-serve your entire office space search from start to move-in.

Traditional office brokers

Traditional office brokers are professionals who help companies find and secure conventional office space leases. Traditional office brokers act as intermediaries between businesses looking for office space and property owners or landlords. Traditional office brokers are usually associated with large commercial real estate firms and often represent multiple properties.

Hybrid / Independent office brokers

With the rise of hybrid working, many businesses have been moving away from having one fixed, long-term office space location towards leasing smaller, more convenient office spaces with their employees in mind.

In recent years, hybrid or independent office brokers such as Found have challenged the traditional office space norms by prioritising what matters most: employee wellbeing. This includes factoring in flexibility and office space features such as breakout spaces, bike storage, on-site shower rooms, pet friendly spaces, on-site gyms, outdoor terraces and more.

Hybrid or Independent office brokers operate on their own and are there to help you throughout your entire search for office space.

The benefits of working with Found when searching for London office space

Working with an independent office broker such as Found offers numerous advantages when searching for office space in London. Our expert office brokers provide a personalised approach tailored to your unique business needs.

• We have a deep, niche knowledge of the London office space market, allowing us to uncover private, serviced and managed offices that traditional and online office brokers might overlook.
• Additionally, our extensive network within the London office space market provide us with off-market properties, potentially giving you access to exclusive office space opportunities.
• Our agility and flexibility enable us to adapt quickly to office space market changes and your evolving requirements.

Most office brokers within the market will ask you how much space in an office you are after. Office space in London is measured in square feet, and unless you have a wealth of knowledge in the office space industry, this can be a tricky question to answer. Have a look at our FREE London office space cost calculator for a quick cost estimation of your London office space requirements.

By choosing Found as your office broker, you can benefit from our transparency, friendly approach, commitment to client satisfaction, and our ability to think outside the box when helping you find the perfect London office space!