Navigating Uncertainty… A section in our 2026 research report which remains very topical!
However we focused on the tightening Channel Islands’ office supply pipeline and how occupiers I speak to regularly underestimate how long the office acquisition process actually takes.
Here’s the reality for a 25,000 sq ft office relocation in Jersey:
→ Agent appointment to search completion: 5 months
→ Lease negotiations: 4-5 months
→ Design, tendering, contractor appointment: 5-6 months
→ Construction and fit-out: 8-9 months
→ Furniture, AV, move-in: 2-3 months
Total: up to 26 months.
For new-build? Closer to 42 months / 3.5 years from starting a search to sitting at your desk.
And this is in a market where prime vacancy sits at approximately 1% and the best buildings are being snapped up before they hit the open market. One recent letting involved a competitive bid.
The occupiers who get the best outcomes are the ones who start earliest. They have time to negotiate properly, engage informed consultants, design thoughtfully, and avoid the premium that comes with urgency.
If your lease expires in 2028 or 2029, the clock is already ticking. We have some great instructions coming live that can ensure you get ahead!
