How it works
The decision usually starts well before a lease expiry or break option, because relocating takes time to find a building, negotiate and fit it out, and the notice deadline comes before the lease ends.
Teams compare at least two options. Staying can mean renewing as is, renewing on less space, or restacking and refitting the building. Going means a new building, with fit-out, moving and overlap costs, but a chance to get the size, location and quality right.
Both options rest on the same question: how much space does the organization need? Measured occupancy, peak days, headcount plans and the attendance policy answer it. Teams then model the cost, timeline and risk of each option, and test layouts with stack plans or test fits before committing.
How to measure it
- Start from measured peak occupancy, not headcount or assigned seats.
- Compare the total cost of each option over the same period: rent, fit-out, moving, overlap, end-of-lease repairs and landlord incentives.
- Map the critical dates backward from the notice deadline, so there is time to carry out either option.
Examples
- A company with a lease expiring finds it uses well under half its floors on peak days, renews on fewer floors and restacks teams onto them.
- A firm whose building no longer fits its needs moves to a smaller, better-located space and uses the move to change its seating model.
Common mistakes
- Starting too late, so relocating is no longer possible and the landlord knows it.
- Sizing either option from headcount instead of measured use.
- Comparing rent only and ignoring fit-out, moving and disruption costs.
How Kadence helps
Kadence gives teams occupancy evidence and a way to test options before a lease event. Workplace Insights shows attendance, occupancy and heatmaps from check-in data. SpaceOps scenario planning compares options side by side, such as renewing on fewer floors or consolidating, stack planning places teams on floors, and share-ready PDF exports help present the options to leadership.
Scenario planning · SpaceOps · Workplace analytics
Frequently asked questions
When should a stay vs go analysis start?
Well before the lease notice deadline, because relocating takes time to find space, negotiate and fit out. Work back from the notice deadline and allow enough time to carry out whichever option wins.
What data do you need for a stay vs go decision?
Measured occupancy and peak days, headcount forecasts, the attendance policy, the lease terms and critical dates, and full costs for each option, including fit-out, moving and overlap. Occupancy data is often the missing piece.
Can you stay and still reduce space?
Often, yes. Many organizations renew on fewer floors, sublease part of their space or restack teams to free whole floors. Measured occupancy shows how much space can go while still supporting peak days.
Related terms
- Lease event A lease date that forces or allows a decision, such as an expiry, a break option, a renewal option or a rent review.
- Office relocation Moving an office or department to another building, planned around the lease date, real attendance and a clear move schedule.
- Office consolidation Moving teams from several floors, buildings or sites into less space, then giving up or repurposing the space that is freed.
- Scenario planning Modeling several possible futures for space, cost and teams, and comparing them side by side before committing to one.
- Office right-sizing Matching the amount and type of office space to how people actually use it, based on measured demand rather than headcount.
- Hidden capacity Usable space that accurate utilization data reveals inside the current footprint. It often removes the need to lease more.
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