11/09/2026
Experts' POV: We’ve seen this play out more times than we can count.
A business finds what looks like the cheapest office deal on the market and signs quickly.
Six months later, the “saving” starts showing up elsewhere...
→ Higher CAM and operating costs than expected
→ Poor connectivity and longer employee commute times
→ Higher attrition or difficulty hiring because the location doesn’t work for the team
→ Unexpected fit-out and reinstatement costs
→ Limited parking or inadequate building amenities
→ Inflexible lease terms when the business needs to expand or downsize
The headline rent is only one part of the cost of occupying an office.
A smarter leasing decision looks at the total occupancy cost, including:
1. Location & accessibility
How does the commute affect employee productivity, attendance, retention, and hiring?
2. Building & workplace quality
Does the building support your employees and reflect the positioning of your brand?
3. Scalability & flexibility
Can you expand, contract, or restructure your space as the business changes?
4. Total occupancy cost
What will you actually pay after CAM, parking, utilities, fit-out, taxes, maintenance, and other associated costs?
5. Lease structure
What are the lock-in, escalation, termination, renewal, and exit provisions?
The cheapest office isn’t necessarily the best deal.
The right office is the one that delivers the best value for the business over the entire lease term
That’s the difference between finding office space and making a strategic real estate decision.
What’s the biggest challenge your business faces when evaluating office space?
