Smarter Workspaces Blog

Office Lease Is Up—Now What?

Written by Ave Marie Gonzales | May 9, 2025 5:00:00 PM

If your office lease is nearing its end, you’re likely facing a major turning point for your business. Lease expirations are one of those critical deadlines that often fly under the radar—until they suddenly become urgent, demanding immediate attention. Given that workspace is typically the second-highest cost for a business after employees, making decisions without proper forethought and planning can be costly—both financially and operationally.

Planning for a new space isn’t easy—especially in a world where workspace needs are evolving rapidly. Competitive pressures, shifting generational expectations, and fast-moving technology make it difficult to know what the right move is.

Many organizations are forced to make big decisions without the luxury of experience or time to learn as they go. That’s where subject matter experts can make all the difference—guiding you through the process, saving you both time and money.

So, how do you take the next step, make the right investments, and keep your day-to-day operations on track? It all starts with asking the right questions.

Ask the Right Questions

Before jumping into floor plans or furniture, it’s crucial to step back and understand what your space and people—truly need. These four key questions will guide you and lay the groundwork for a smarter, more efficient planning process.

1. What is your current work style?

Are teams highly collaborative, requiring frequent in-person interaction? Or do employees primarily work independently? Do you need quiet zones for focused work alongside collaborative spaces? Understanding how your people work today, and how that might change—shapes the layout, functionality, and flexibility your space needs.

 

2. Who are you trying to attract and retain?

Your workspace makes a statement about your company culture. What message do you want to send to prospective employees and clients? Today's talent marketplace is competitive, and your physical environment plays a significant role in how potential hires perceive your organization. Similarly, your existing team members' satisfaction and productivity are influenced by their surroundings.

 

3. How do you leverage technology to improve productivity?

From collaboration tools to an integrated workspace management system, the right tech setup can make day-to-day operations more efficient and support seamless communication, especially across distributed teams.

 

4. What are your workspace furnishing priorities—budget, lead time, or aesthetics?

When furnishing a workspace, three factors usually drive decisions: budget, lead time, and aesthetics. But these priorities aren’t fixed—they often shift as the project progresses. For example, a short timeline might take precedence early on, while design preferences could play a bigger role later. Understanding which factor takes priority at each stage helps you make more informed, flexible decisions throughout the process.

  • Budget: What financial resources are available?
  • Timeline: How quickly must the space be ready?
  • Aesthetics: What level of design and finish is appropriate?

 

An Integrated Approach

With a clear strategy in place, it’s time to focus on finding the right workspace solutions to fit your team's needs, budget, and plans.

1. Providing Smart, Affordable Workspace Furnishings

When selecting furnishings, it’s important to choose items that offer flexibility for future reconfigurations. A brand-agnostic partner can source a range of smart, cost-effective solutions tailored to your team’s workflow, design preferences, and budget—without being tied to a single manufacturer. This ensures that your workspace can evolve as your needs change, maximizing both value and long-term utility.

2. Aligning Budget with Solutions Provided

Budget shouldn’t be an afterthought—it should shape your decisions from the start.

Working closely with a partner who understands your financial priorities helps you make informed choices that maximize value while staying within your planned investment.

3. Delivering Plan, Furnish, Move, and Manage Solutions

A successful project supports every stage of your workspace journey. Our integrated approach brings together four essential elements for a streamlined transition:

  • Plan – Define goals, assess needs, and develop a space strategy tailored to your team.
  • Furnish – Source flexible, right-sized solutions that reflect your brand and support how your people work.
  • Move – Coordinate logistics and installation to minimize disruption and keep business running smoothly.
  • Manage – Provide ongoing support and adjustments as your space and team evolve.

This connected process minimizes downtime, reduces stress, and keeps your business moving forward—before, during, and after the transition.

Setting You Up for What’s Next

Starting to plan, furnish, move, and manage a new workspace doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Having the right team by your side can turn what feels like a major disruption into an opportunity for positive change.

But there’s one more key factor— Speed of Service.

In the next post, we’ll explore how moving proactively and smartly can help you avoid delays, control costs, and keep your business running smoothly during the transition.