Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned pro, finding the perfect office space for your team can be a challenge. From misleading pricing to pushy sales tactics, these issues can make the process more stressful than it needs to be.
In this post, we’ll highlight five key red flags to watch out for during your office search, so you can find the right space with confidence and avoid unnecessary hassle. 🚩
1) ‘From’ pricing on website listings
Why? ‘From’ pricing will always be the price of the cheapest office in the building, and likely means that office listings aren’t regularly updated on the website you’re looking at.
This means that you don’t get a true picture of how much an office might cost you for your team size, or indeed whether there is an appropriately-sized office in the building at all.
In general, a lack of transparency about pricing holds up your office search because it doesn’t tell you whether the building is within your budget; forcing you into having a conversation with a sales person before you’re ready.
2) Bad reviews
Why? This one is self-explanatory – but there tends not to be smoke without fire when it comes to office search providers and customer feedback.
Just because someone shows up top in Google doesn’t mean they’re the best option for a quick and hassle-free office search – look for a provider with a reputation for being honest and helpful, rather than sharky or shifty. Google Reviews and Trustpilot are great places to start!
3) Lack of information in website listings
Why? Like unclear pricing, missing details such as building names, office sizes, or amenities can be a major time-waster. Same goes for folks who say, ‘I’ll just book you in some viewings,’ without telling you the name of the building in advance.
Providers who gatekeep key information aren’t necessarily doing so with your best interests at heart – at Hubble, we believe that empowering you with as much information as possible is the fastest way to finding your perfect office (but our workspace experts are also happy to help you along the way!).
4) Making you sign exclusivity agreements
Why? Exclusivity agreements are often about eliminating the competition, not helping you find your dream office quickly.
If you love a provider, stick with them—but on your terms. We recommend starting with 1-3 providers to avoid getting overwhelmed.
5) Sharing your deets with other providers
Why? Many providers in the space will share your details with third parties when you fill out a form on their website, in order to boost their commission earnings.
Searching for an office is stressful enough without being bombarded by calls and emails from people you’ve never heard of. At Hubble, we promise to keep your information private unless you’ve asked us to share it.
The Hubble Promise
Commercial real estate gets a bad rap – often deservedly so. At Hubble, we do things differently – aiming to bring trust, clarity and a personal touch back into the process of finding a new office.
The Hubble Promise is our commitment to giving you the best possible experience finding a new home for your team – in a way that is transparent, hassle-free and puts your needs first.
- Real listings – No wasting time with outdated, unavailable or fake listings – our marketplace covers 100% of available offices, updated in real-time.
- Up-front pricing & listing info – Fully-transparent pricing and information – we don’t hide pricing and details behind contact forms, sales calls or gatekeepers.
- Best price guarantee – You won’t find a better deal anywhere else (even going direct). Our experts can negotiate on your behalf, with no added costs.
- Spam-free zone – Rest easy knowing we won’t share your contact details with third parties, ever. We’re here to take the stress out of your office search, not add to it with unwanted calls and emails.
- Free friendly expertise – Get zero-pressure advice, recommendations and help with negotiations, at no extra cost. Count on our experts, armed with extensive market data and knowledge, for help whenever you need it.
