Should You Stay or Should You Go? Navigating Your Office Space Decision

Moving office represents one of the most significant decisions your business will face. When executed thoughtfully, an office relocation can unlock operational efficiency, energise team engagement, and signal an exciting new chapter of growth. Yet it also demands considerable time, investment, and bulletproof commercial reasoning.

At Kontor, we regularly guide companies through this pivotal decision with complete objectivity and hard-won insight. Some of our clients discover their future lies in a stunning new office space. Others uncover unexpected value by transforming their current workspace into something extraordinary.

The critical question isn't whether you can move, it's whether you should.

Understanding True Workspace Needs

Success lies in distinguishing between surface-level desire and genuine strategic necessity. Too often, office relocation gets prompted by instinct rather than evidence. You might catch yourself admiring a competitor's sleek new headquarters or feeling the pull of that beautiful building you pass on your commute. But sometimes, the smartest move is staying exactly where you are.

A workspace change should never be driven purely by:

• Falling in love with a specific building without considering the bigger picture

• Feeling pressure to upgrade because a competitor made their move

• Attempting to solve cultural or performance challenges that aren't actually space-related

• Anticipating funding that hasn't materialised yet

• Failing to explore how your current office space could better serve your needs

If your impulse to relocate feels reactive, it will likely fade. However, if you've taken time to genuinely assess your workspace requirements and consistently find yourself thinking "we need something different," then it might be time to explore your options seriously.

Before making any commitments, let's examine the most common drivers behind office space decisions and uncover the best path forward for your organisation.

You're running out of room to grow

Start by exploring whether expansion within your current building makes sense. Most landlords would rather accommodate existing tenants than hunt for new ones; it's simpler, more cost-effective, and reduces their vacancy risk. Your office provider may have additional space becoming available throughout the year, either in your current building or a nearby location within their portfolio.

However, even when internal expansion seems possible, it's worth benchmarking other options in the market. A new office location might offer superior value, enhanced functionality, or stronger alignment with your company culture. Our team constantly monitors workspace availability across global markets, leveraging relationships with office providers that often give us exclusive access to premium spaces before they hit the broader market.

Your lease expiry is approaching

A lease ending doesn't automatically signal relocation time. Many providers are eager to retain good tenants and will work creatively to keep you within their space. Whether through a fresh agreement or extending your existing contract, staying put often proves more straightforward than you'd expect. When our clients prefer their current location, we're happy to negotiate directly with providers to secure the most favourable terms possible.

You need a higher specification workspace

If your current office location works well and the layout suits your team dynamics, a targeted refurbishment might achieve the upgrade you're seeking. Strategic enhancements to design, finishes, and workspace layout can dramatically improve the employee experience without the disruption and expense of relocating.

That said, some landlords restrict material modifications, and certain spaces have simply reached their improvement potential. When enhancement possibilities have been exhausted, relocating to a new office becomes a more compelling strategy.

Your geographic focus has shifted

Before committing to a permanent move, have you validated demand in your target area? More importantly, are you confident this isn't a temporary trend that could shift again? Consider testing the waters with temporary workspace solutions or booking meeting rooms in the area. This approach lets you experience the location firsthand while minimising risk.

When your client base, team members, or core operations have genuinely shifted elsewhere, office relocation may become essential. At that point, focus on identifying a workspace that aligns with both your commercial objectives and cultural priorities.

Cost reduction is driving your decision

Office space typically represents a significant budget line item, and reviewing your footprint and location can deliver meaningful savings. However, this requires delicate handling. Downgrading too aggressively or relocating to a less accessible area can damage retention and team morale.

To protect your talent investment, involve your team in the process from the beginning. Understand their non-negotiables, analyse commute patterns, and identify trade-offs that maintain engagement while improving cost-efficiency. The right new office can reduce expenses without compromising your culture.

Talent acquisition has become challenging

Your workspace plays a crucial role in attracting top talent. We consistently find that prospective employees weigh local amenities and transport links as heavily as role responsibilities and growth opportunities. Even when the position perfectly matches someone's career goals, a hard-to-reach office can eliminate you from consideration.

However, office location rarely serves as the primary selling factor. Before committing to relocation, consider improvements to benefits, compensation packages, and workplace flexibility. These adjustments often deliver stronger recruitment results with significantly less disruption. If these changes don't move the needle and your current workspace remains a barrier to hiring the talent you need, then office relocation becomes a more serious strategic consideration.

Your office space tells a story about who you are as a company, what you value, and where you're headed. It's where culture comes alive, where breakthrough moments happen, and where the best talent decides whether they want to build their future alongside yours. The decision to stay or move isn't just about square footage or lease terms; it's about creating an environment that amplifies everything your organisation stands for.

At Kontor, we understand that workspace strategy deserves the same thoughtful approach you bring to your product roadmap or brand positioning. We've helped countless organisations navigate these pivotal moments, turning complex decisions into clear pathways forward. Whether you're weighing the familiarity of your current space against the promise of something new, or evaluating how your physical environment can better serve your evolving needs, we're here to guide you through every consideration.

The right decision isn't always obvious, but it becomes clearer when you have the right partner asking the right questions. If your company is standing at this crossroads, wondering what comes next, let's explore the possibilities together. Your perfect workspace solution is out there; let our team help you find it.