At The Office Advisor, we make finding and leasing office space simple. Whether you’re opening your first location or expanding your footprint, our full-service team handles every step—from strategy to move-in—so you can focus on your business.
Here's our commercial leasing guide with every step from planning to commencement:
1. Define Your Requirements
Start by identifying what your business truly needs in a workspace. Our Workplace Strategists will guide you through questions like:
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How much office space do I need?
A good rule of thumb is 100–150 square feet per employee, but this depends on your work style, growth plans, and whether you prefer private offices, open space, or hybrid layouts. We’ll help you calculate a size that fits your team today—and tomorrow. -
Desired location and access to transit
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Budget and operational expenses
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Must-have amenities (like parking, fitness centers, or building signage)
2. Property Search Made Easy
Once we’ve nailed down your criteria, your commercial real estate broker will curate a customized list of available office spaces. You'll also receive exclusive video walkthroughs of many listings, saving you time and narrowing your search before you ever step foot on a property.
3. Understanding Office Rental Costs
Office rental costs can vary based on location, building class, amenities, and lease structure. We’ll provide full transparency on:
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Price per square foot
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Triple net (NNN) vs full-service leases
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Additional costs like utilities, parking, and maintenance
This helps you compare options apples-to-apples and avoid surprises down the line.
4. Submitting a Letter of Intent (LOI)
When you’ve found one or more strong contenders, we’ll help you submit a Letter of Intent (LOI). This document outlines your proposed lease terms—like rent, lease length, start date, and any build-out requests—and signals serious interest to the landlord.
5. Financial Analysis
Every lease comes with long-term financial implications. That’s why our Financial Consultants break down the full cost of occupancy for each space, including:
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Base rent and escalations
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Improvement allowances
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Furniture, fixtures, and equipment
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Potential tax implications
6. Lease Negotiation Support
Our brokers work hand-in-hand with your attorney to negotiate favorable lease terms, including:
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Tenant improvement allowances
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Renewal or expansion options
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Free rent periods or early access
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Rent escalations and exit clauses
7. What is a Class A Office Building?
During your search, you may hear terms like “Class A” or “Trophy” used to describe buildings.
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What is a Class A office building?
Class A buildings are top-tier office spaces with high-end finishes, modern infrastructure, strong amenities, and prime locations—often attracting premium tenants. We’ll help you determine which space aligns with your goals and budget.
8. Fit-Out and Move-In
Before move-in, we’ll coordinate with landlords, contractors, and vendors to handle any tenant improvements or fit-outs. Our Project Managers ensure your space is move-in ready—with the proper permits, infrastructure, and design that supports your workflow.
9. Lease Commencement
On your lease start date, you’ll take official possession of your space. Rent begins, your office goes live, and our team ensures a smooth operational transition so you can hit the ground running.
