Studio Space help

Iphotouk

Iphotouk

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Darren
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Right, I have been looking for studio space for a little while now but today have been offered a choice of 2 units. I viewed them this morning and they both have there merits but there is a big vary in the costs of each. Here are the details and a couple of pics that landlord took on phone as I did not have my camera with me at the time of viewing :bang:

Unit 1:

£2800 per annum paid monthly.
Gross internal floor area - 519 sq.ft
Through main door it has a nice enterance area that would be big enough to set up as a waiting area with sofa, nice images on walls etc. Then you move round into the main area and have a large office to your right and the main studio space ahead of you. This is carpeted and measures 13.2ft wide and 22.1ft long with approx 9ft high ceiling. At the rear it has a self contained kitchen and WC.
18742-image1.jpg


Unit 2:

£3750 per annum paid monthly
Gross internal floor area - 719 sq.ft
Through main door it is very much open plan and with a large (ish) office on the far right corner. It has no kitchen or WC but does have plumbing next to office so I could section it off and put one in. This would leave a studio space of 16.5ft wide and 26.4ft long with approx 10ft high ceiling.
Image-1.jpg

Image-3.jpg

IMage-2.jpg


Now obviously the second unit is much bigger and ultimately make for a better studio in the long run. BUT it is quite a bit more expensive and would take move cash and time to get it up and running.

So my question is in peoples experience is the space in the first unit a good enough usable space? I intend to shoot a variety of stuff there including: Portraits (individual and family), model shoots, product photography etc.

Any help would be appreciated guys as I would like this venture to be as cost effective as possible but be right for what I want at the same time.

Thanks

Dazz
 
I'm no pro but I'd find the height of the first option restricting at 9 feet. Looks even less to me in the photo but I can't think in imperial :) 1 foot more makes quite a difference.
 
For the extra £80 rent per month I would say go for the larger of the 2 options. My first studio had a ceiling hight of 10ft and I did struggle with that at times. I think if you went for the smaller unit you would regret it.

Hope this has helped you.

Ian
 
I agree with the first 2 replies. Ceiling height is very important, and even leaving the height out of it, the smaller space will restrict the range of work that you can do well.
 
Negotiate a better rent for 2. It's the borrowers' market now, with so many businesses going bust and leaving units vacant. No brainer in terms of choice. Good luck.
 
What's the parking like? What's the access like? I.e. Ground floor, stairs, lifts? How easy for pushchairs, wheelchairs or large products?
Not sure where you are, but up here plenty of ground floor units with drive in loading bays, 2000 sq ft, with higher ceilings. Already have kitchens, offices, loos.
Similar price to your second option!
Get haggling, but look around more! :)
 
Parking is good, as is access and also security. Its ground floor and there are double width upvc doors at the front so very good for access for wheel chairs, large items etc.

The units have been empty for approx 6 months so I hve since found out so I think there will deffo be room for negotiation on the rent. Just need to find someone to sort out putting in a WC and kitchen etc.
 
I would deffinately haggle on the price. Also don't forget to factor in the cost of the business rates and any service charges over and above the cost of the rent. Also don't forget the cost of the utilities, keeping a fair sized unit warm in the winter months can cost a fortune.

Some of the business units round here have a communal service charge over and above the rent for the upkeep of the car park etc...

A friend of mine was paying more in business rates than in rent at one point, landlords are gagging to get people into empty premises at the minute due to the current climate. Be hard in the negotiation and stick to your guns. My mate managed to get his unit rent down by 2 thirds of the original asking price because the landlord was desperate.

Also if you do manage to get a discount make sure the time frame of the discount is written into the rental agreement. Also watch out for clauses in the agreement that state rent review upward only after a period of time.

Just my 2p hope it helps.
 
Thanks for the tips. Luckily there is no extra service charges and the Business rates are reasonable at just over £400. But that said after August next yeh they may go back up to normal rates so deffo worth considering.

I will be giving them a call tomorrow to start the hard negotiating :)
 
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