As the cost of office space has dropped dramatically in Jakarta over the past two years a number of companies have looked to move to reduce rental costs. Moving office from one location to another, whether renovating your existing space or getting up new operations, involves careful planning and confidence in the multitude of decisions one is faced with. Understanding the process will help anticipate these decisions and reduce the inevitable stress associated with moving.

Brief taking or Programming is the process whereby one defines their goals and needs. At this point a property agent and design professional should both assist in determining exactly how much space is needed and the suitability of any proposed space to answer those needs. This is done through staff lists, organization charts and a calculation of industry standards. Often the designer can prepare block plans to graphically illustrate departmental adjacencies and how a proposed building's geometry may respond to these requirements. The Property Agent can advise on such issues as rental rates, lease terms, etc. This is the stage where you can make an informed decision on where to move.

The property agent may then negotiate on your behalf, your best deal. It should be said at this point most offices are inefficiently planned. Hiring a professional space planner can often save many times the cost of their fee... >

Professionals have divided the process into eight basic steps:

1. Brief Taking/Programming
2. Schematic Design
3. Scheduling/Budgeting
4. Design Development
5. Contract Documentation and Tendering
6. Construction
7. Moving
8. Rectification and Maintenance