Moving a business is a big decision. You need premises that work, people who can reach them and room for the company to grow. A lower rent is welcome, but only if the move makes sense for your customers, staff and day-to-day operations.

Essex deserves a place on your shortlist. Whether you are moving out of London, expanding from elsewhere or bringing several sites together, there is a wide range of locations to investigate.

We’re fond of Essex: it’s where we live and work. But choosing a business location needs more than local enthusiasm. Here are the questions worth answering before you book the removal vans.

What do you want the move to achieve?

Start with the reasons for moving. Are you looking for more space, lower overheads, easier deliveries or somewhere your staff can park? Perhaps your lease is ending, or your current premises cannot accommodate new equipment.

Write down your essential requirements before you start viewing properties. These might include:

• Enough space for your current team and planned growth.
• A manageable journey for key employees.
• Convenient access to customers and suppliers.
• Reliable broadband and sufficient power.
• Suitable loading, storage and parking.
• A total occupancy cost the business can afford.

Separate essentials from preferences. An attractive office will soon lose its appeal if your customers cannot reach it or your deliveries cannot get through the entrance.

Which part of Essex suits your business?

There is no single best location for every company. An office whose staff regularly visit London will have different priorities from a manufacturer, a retailer or a distribution business.

Your initial search could include Chelmsford, Colchester, Harlow, Basildon, Brentwood, Braintree, Southend and Thurrock. Smaller towns and rural business premises may also deserve a look.

Compare specific sites as well as towns. A railway station nearby on the map may still be an awkward walk from the office. An industrial unit close to a major road may have a difficult final approach for larger vehicles.

For each shortlisted location, ask:

• How will employees get there?
• How easily can customers visit?
• Will delivery vehicles have suitable access?
• Are the businesses and services you rely on nearby?
• Could you expand locally if you outgrow the premises?

Visit at the times you expect to travel. A quiet viewing in the middle of the day tells you little about the morning commute.

Would moving from London save money?

It may, but compare actual properties and operating costs before assuming that an Essex address will be cheaper.

The rent is only one part of the calculation. Include business rates, service charges, utilities, insurance, maintenance and parking. Check what is included in each quotation so that you are comparing like with like.

Then add the cost of the move itself: surveys, professional advice, fit-out, furniture, IT installation, removals and any period when you will be paying for two premises.

Staff and customer travel matter too. Savings on office space can be reduced by additional travel costs or the loss of experienced employees.

Prepare two budgets: one for the first year, including relocation costs, and another for a normal year once the business has settled in. Allow for disruption and unexpected expenses in both.

Choosing the right premises

Think about how your business will use the building throughout the working week.

A small office business might value flexible terms and shared meeting rooms. A workshop may need suitable power, ventilation and vehicle access. A warehouse needs more than floor space: loading arrangements, yard space and operating hours can be just as important.

Before committing, investigate:

• Whether the premises are suitable for your intended activities.
• Lease length, break options and responsibility for repairs.
• Accessibility for employees and visitors.
• Broadband availability and installation times at the exact address.
• Heating, cooling, power and other building services.
• Security, flood risk and insurance costs.
• Restrictions on alterations, signage, deliveries or working hours.

Get appropriate professional advice on the building and agreement before signing. Discovering a costly restriction after you have committed can undo the benefits of the move.

Bring your staff into the planning

Your employees will experience the move differently. Some may gain a shorter journey; others may face extra travel, childcare difficulties or an impractical commute.

Discuss potential locations early enough for their feedback to influence the decision. Look at actual journeys, including the distance between public transport and the workplace.

Consider whether flexible start times, hybrid working or a phased move would help. If you expect to recruit locally, investigate the availability of people with the skills you need and the salaries required to attract them.

For employees who may move home, information about housing, schools and local amenities will be useful. Our guides to the best things in Essex offer a starting point for exploring life outside work.

Check connections that matter to your business

Transport needs vary. You may depend on regular client visits, engineers travelling between jobs, daily collections or international deliveries.

Test the journeys your business actually makes. For rail travel, include getting to the station and reaching the final destination. For road transport, consider peak periods, vehicle restrictions and access to the premises.

Digital connections deserve the same attention. Confirm availability and installation dates with providers before setting your moving date. Arrange for essential systems to be working and tested before the team arrives.

Find business support in Essex

You do not have to research everything alone. Local business organisations, councils, commercial property advisers and training providers can help you understand the area and make useful introductions.

The Essex Growth Agency provides a starting point for information on business support, funding programmes and skills. Check the current eligibility and geographic coverage of any programme you are considering.

Do not assume that relocation funding will be available. Build a business case that works on its own, and treat any confirmed assistance as an additional benefit.

Our Business in Essex page also introduces local resources and businesses.

Plan the move around your customers

A successful move keeps customers informed and disruption under control.

Choose a moving date that fits your trading pattern. Identify which services must remain available, who is responsible for each part of the move and what you will do if the new premises are not ready on time.

Your plan should cover:

• Setting up and testing IT, phones and internet access.
• Moving equipment, stock and records securely.
• Coordinating suppliers, deliveries and collections.
• Updating customers, business records and contact details.
• Updating your website, maps listings and directories.
• Checking that the new workplace is ready for staff and visitors.

Assign responsibility for each task. A checklist is much more useful when every item has a name and a deadline beside it.

Your first step: build a shortlist

Before arranging viewings, prepare a one-page brief covering your space requirements, budget, staff journeys, transport needs and preferred moving date.

Use it to compare three or four locations, then investigate individual premises. Keep a record of costs, compromises and unanswered questions so that an attractive viewing does not distract you from what the business needs.

Essex could be the right home for your next stage of growth. The best starting point is a clear picture of what will help your business thrive here.