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2 MONTHS FREE
Rent your next office at Cambrai Court by 31st July 2024 and receive two months free for your first year.
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See our Available Offices here
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Choosing an office is not just about finding a room with enough desks. The right workspace should suit how your business operates every day, from staff parking and transport links to security, privacy, visitor access and the true monthly cost.
For businesses viewing offices in South Birmingham, it is worth deciding what matters most before you start comparing spaces. Some businesses need parking for staff. Others need a quiet private office for confidential calls. Some value 24-hour access, while others need a workplace that is easy for clients to visit.
Use this office viewing checklist before and during each visit so you can compare spaces fairly and avoid surprises after you sign.
Not all offices are the same, and not every business needs the same things. Before arranging viewings, separate your priorities into “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves”. This will help you stay focused when a space looks good at first glance but may not work in practice.
If you are still at the early research stage, our guide on how to find the right office for your business may also help you think through what your team needs before booking viewings.
Checklist:
☐ Do staff need parking, public transport, or both?
☐ Will clients or suppliers visit regularly?
☐ Do you need a private office rather than an open-plan space?
☐ Will you need access outside standard working hours?
☐ Are phone calls, meetings or confidential conversations part of daily work?
☐ Do you need clear costs with utilities included?
☐ How important are signage, broadband and cleaning arrangements?
Parking and transport are often among the first questions businesses ask when viewing offices, especially outside Birmingham city centre. Many central office buildings have limited parking, and where parking is available, it may come at an additional cost per space.
At Cambrai Court, parking is included where available, although numbers are limited. This is an important point to check wherever you view, as parking terms can vary significantly between office centres.
Local transport links are also worth checking carefully, especially if your staff live nearby or travel across South Birmingham. An office a few miles away from the city centre can work very well when it gives your team easier access, less daily travel stress and more practical parking arrangements.
☐ Is parking available for staff?
☐ Is parking included in the rent, or charged separately?
☐ How many spaces are available?
☐ Is visitor parking available?
☐ Are there nearby bus or train links?
☐ Is the location practical for staff who live locally?
☐ Can clients find the building easily?
Some offices only suit businesses that work standard hours. Others offer more flexibility. If your team starts early, works late, visits at weekends, or needs access around client deadlines, this should be checked before signing.
Cambrai Court is open 24 hours per day with secure access, which can be useful for businesses that do not operate strictly between 9am and 5pm. When comparing offices, ask how access works in practice and who can enter the building outside normal hours.
For more detail on why this can matter, you may find our article on the benefits of flexible working hours in a serviced office helpful.
☐ Can you access the office 24 hours per day?
☐ How is access controlled?
☐ Are keys, fobs or codes provided?
☐ Is the building secure outside working hours?
☐ Are external areas well lit?
Open-plan offices can work well for some businesses, but they are not suitable for everyone. If you handle confidential information, regular phone calls or sensitive client matters, privacy may be essential.
Private working spaces are particularly important for legal professionals, recruiters, accountants, finance professionals, consultants and other businesses where discretion matters. During a viewing, listen carefully to the noise levels and think about whether you could work comfortably there every day.
For example, our article on choosing office space for accountants and finance professionals explores why privacy, secure access and client meeting space can be especially important in professional services.
☐ Is the office private or open plan?
☐ Can conversations be overheard?
☐ Is the space suitable for client calls?
☐ Are neighbouring offices or shared areas noisy?
☐ Would the layout support focused work?
If clients visit your office, their arrival experience matters. Ask whether visitors can park, how they enter the building and whether there is a reception or waiting area.
At Cambrai Court, many businesses do welcome visitors, including accountants and recruiters. However, there is no manned reception or waiting area. This works well for many office-based businesses, but it may not be suitable for organisations needing a trade counter, medical equipment area or high-volume visitor flow.
☐ Can clients visit the office easily?
☐ Is there visitor parking?
☐ Is there a reception or waiting area?
☐ How will visitors know where to go?
☐ Does the building create the right impression for your business?
The headline rent is only useful if you understand what it includes. Some office centres include utilities, while others charge separately for electricity, heating, broadband, cleaning, service charges or parking.
Cambrai Court includes utilities, but when viewing any office, it is sensible to ask for a clear breakdown of all costs. Broadband and daily cleaning arrangements can differ between buildings, and the lease type may affect what is included.
If you are comparing costs across different locations or office types, our guide to how much it costs to rent a serviced office in the UK gives useful wider context.
☐ Are utilities included?
☐ Is broadband included or arranged separately?
☐ Who is responsible for cleaning?
☐ Are there service charges?
☐ Is parking included or charged per space?
☐ Is a deposit required?
☐ Are there any setup fees or ongoing charges?
Lease terms can have a major effect on how flexible your office arrangement really is. A rolling contract may sound flexible, but some rolling agreements still require long notice periods, sometimes as much as 12 months.
Before signing, make sure you understand the lease length, notice period, deposit arrangements and what happens if your business needs change. Cambrai Court has also published a helpful guide to understanding office leases for small business owners.
☐ What type of lease or licence is being offered?
☐ What is the minimum term?
☐ How much notice is required?
☐ What deposit is needed?
☐ Can the office arrangement change if your business grows?
☐ What happens at the end of the term?
A viewing is your chance to imagine using the office on a normal working day. Look at the light, temperature, layout and power points. A practical, comfortable office can make a real difference to productivity and staff satisfaction.
☐ Is there enough natural light?
☐ Does the heating feel suitable?
☐ Can the space fit your desks and storage?
☐ Are there enough plug sockets?
☐ Is mobile signal reliable inside the room?
☐ Would staff be comfortable working here full time?
Take this quick checklist to each viewing and tick off the items as you go.
☐ Parking availability checked
☐ Parking costs confirmed
☐ Public transport links reviewed
☐ Visitor arrival process understood
☐ Opening hours and access confirmed
☐ Security arrangements checked
☐ Private working needs considered
☐ Noise levels assessed
☐ Utilities and extra costs confirmed
☐ Broadband arrangements checked
☐ Cleaning responsibilities understood
☐ Deposit and lease terms reviewed
☐ Notice period confirmed
☐ Signage or business name display discussed
☐ Overall fit for staff and clients considered
Start with the practical points that affect daily use: parking, access, transport links, costs, lease terms and whether clients can visit. These often have the biggest effect after you move in.
Not always. Some office centres charge extra per space, particularly in or near city centre locations. Always ask whether parking is included, allocated, limited or charged separately.
It depends on the business. Private offices are often better for confidential calls, focused work and client conversations. Open-plan settings may suit teams that prefer a more shared environment.
Lease terms determine how long you are committed for, how much notice you need to give, and what costs you may be responsible for. Always check the details before comparing one office with another.
Yes. Client visits can affect parking, access, privacy and how suitable the building feels for your type of business. This is especially important if you regularly meet clients face to face.
The best office is not always the largest or the most central. It is the one that works for your staff, your clients, your budget and the way your business operates.
For businesses comparing office space in South Birmingham, practical details such as parking, transport links, private workspace, secure access and clear costs can make a significant difference. You can review Our Available Offices alongside this checklist to help compare what matters most before arranging a viewing.
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