Ask YC: Office space - cheap or creative? • Hacker News Board

Ask YC: Office space - cheap or creative?

#1

Post by mchang16 » Tue, May 20, 2008, 2:20 PM UTC

I am in the process of looking for an office space to move my business so that I can hire some employees. I've looked at a number of spaces, and it seems that the ones that I like (the creative, interesting spaces) are expensive. The boring, plain and uninteresting spaces are more in my budget.

My issue is that I want to get one of the creative interesting spaces, and I'm trying to figure out if it's worth the extra cash. My company is currently making $ but it's all in consulting fees that could evaporate at any time. I still have cash from an angel investment,and I'm hoping to start making money from my core business in a few months. (Hoping)

Any advice?

Re: Ask YC: Office space - cheap or creative?

#2

Post by jaydub » Tue, May 20, 2008, 2:34 PM UTC

Will you be bringing clients to your office regularly? Or is it primarily a workspace?

Either way I would say go for the cheaper space initially. I think aesthetics do matter, but only to a certain extent.

Re: Ask YC: Office space - cheap or creative?

#3

Post by tumpak » Tue, May 20, 2008, 2:41 PM UTC

i think, you can make creative use out of boring office spaces with "creative interior decor."

Maybe concentrate more on "interior designer" on a "boring office space" for a change.

When in startups better to be frugal and creative.

Re: Ask YC: Office space - cheap or creative?

#4

Post by oldgregg » Tue, May 20, 2008, 2:41 PM UTC

Not to be too critical, but if you are asking this question this is a possibility you are feeling pressured to get an office because "that's what professional people do" and not because it actually provides much tangible value. Get an office if you NEED one but make sure you absolutely have no other option (find contract/telecommuters/etc)... An office can seriously affect you burn rate which is usually bad news unless you have a clear path to profitability.

Re: Ask YC: Office space - cheap or creative?

#5

Post by mchang16 » Tue, May 20, 2008, 2:45 PM UTC

oldgregg wrote: post #4

Not to be too critical, but if you are asking this question this is a possibility you are feeling pressured to get an office because "that's what professional people do" and not because it actually provides much tangible value. Get an office if you NEED one but make sure you absolutely have no other option (find contract/telecommuters/etc)... An office can seriously affect you burn rate which is usually bad news unle…

Great question, but no. I have been doing the non-office thing for almost a year. I have 35 contractors working from me off-site. But my business has hit a point where I need to hire two full-time people (to keep it running) and my partner is soon going to be joining me....so we need a space.

Re: Ask YC: Office space - cheap or creative?

#6

Post by mchang16 » Tue, May 20, 2008, 2:45 PM UTC

jaydub wrote: post #2

Will you be bringing clients to your office regularly? Or is it primarily a workspace? Either way I would say go for the cheaper space initially. I think aesthetics do matter, but only to a certain extent.

Yes, clients and potential investors.

Re: Ask YC: Office space - cheap or creative?

#7

Post by swombat » Tue, May 20, 2008, 2:53 PM UTC

mchang16 wrote: post #5

oldgregg wrote: post #4

Not to be too critical, but if you are asking this question this is a possibility you are feeling pressured to get an office because "that's what professional people do" and not because it actually provides much tangible value. Get an office if you NEED one but make sure you absolutely have no other option (find contract/telecommuters/etc)... An office can seriously affect you burn rate which is usually bad news unle…

Great question, but no. I have been doing the non-office thing for almost a year. I have 35 contractors working from me off-site. But my business has hit a point where I need to hire two full-time people (to keep it running) and my partner is soon going to be joining me....so we need a space.

We've got 2 full-time people working together on a development project. One (me) is in London, the other in Kansas.

Office space is overrated. Just give everyone an allowance to buy a big desk and a decent ADSL connection.

Daniel

Re: Ask YC: Office space - cheap or creative?

#8

Post by LostInTheWoods » Tue, May 20, 2008, 3:01 PM UTC

Every space (office or home) has an impact on those who occupy it. The top things to consider when choosing a space for a small starting company: collaboration, privacy, lighting, noise.

collaboration - depending on your type of business, choose a space that either promotes or discourages collaboration.

privacy - choose a space that lets your employees have a sense of privacy. Its not fun having the boss being able to see you all day long.

lighting - beware of bad lighting, from overpowering flourecents to blinding sunlight.

noise - internal (ie, deafening air conditioning) to external (ie, youre located next to a railroad crossing)

Re: Ask YC: Office space - cheap or creative?

#9

Post by edw519 » Tue, May 20, 2008, 3:01 PM UTC

"cheap or creative?"

Both.

Take the cheaper space and make it creative cheaply. There's lots of ways to do this (beyond my expertise). Home Depot and Ikea are your friends.

Re: Ask YC: Office space - cheap or creative?

#10

Post by Pheel_more » Tue, May 20, 2008, 3:07 PM UTC

mchang16 wrote: post #6

jaydub wrote: post #2

Will you be bringing clients to your office regularly? Or is it primarily a workspace? Either way I would say go for the cheaper space initially. I think aesthetics do matter, but only to a certain extent.

Yes, clients and potential investors.

Investors might even like a bootstrapping startup. They know their money burns well...