Lodging your team could be as simple as finding transportation and a hotel room, giving them an agenda, and setting them free. This works well for travelers on short work trips lasting a week or less.
But what if their stay is extended, lasting more than a couple of weeks or possibly an indefinite time frame?
In those situations, you’ll need to put a lot of forethought into where your workers will be staying and the surrounding region. Amenities, transportation, and other factors can make a big difference.
There are also various types of fully-furnished apartments and corporate housing locations for businesses to choose from for their employees.
We’ll help you find the best lodging below and explain how corporate housing stands out from other short-term business travel rentals.
Find corporate housing in the following cities:
Philadelphia | Seattle | Houston | San Antonio | Sacramento | Denver | Miami | Orlando |
What To Look For In Corporate Housing
Apartment living is always easier than long-term stays in hotels.
However, it’s often hard to find apartment managers willing to accept month-to-month corporate rental agreements.
Corporate apartments, houses, and other lodging options give you the best of both worlds. Renters get the conveniences of a home without the worries of a long-term lease.
Decor, Amenities, And More
The average corporate home is a fully-furnished apartment near a popular city’s business district.
Utilities are often included with the rental price, and the tenant gets access to the same amenities offered to other residents.
A corporate home renter would get to enjoy things like:
- Fitness center
- Swimming pool
- In-unit washer and dryer
- TVs
- Pet-friendly facilities
- WiFi
Combining expenses and amenities makes this short-term housing option cost-effective — especially compared to the hotel daily rates.
The main drawback is that the furnishings and decor are usually one-size-fits-all … unless you use an on-demand housing company with expertise in individualizing your stay.
Companies like Travelers Haven turn the basic corporate housing setup into a home designed especially for the tenant.
Corporate Housing Vs. Other Types Of Short-Term Rentals
Workforce housing is integral for nomadic workers.
Anyone heading out for business purposes with an extended stay in mind needs a home, not a hotel.
Still, millions of people take short business trips every year. These are still corporate trips, but they don’t require a home environment for travelers. That’s where other corporate housing options are beneficial.
Breakdown Of Short-Term Housing Options For Business Travelers
When researching your options for employee housing, you will see a range of short-term solutions like:
- Hotels
- Hosted homes
- All-inclusive resorts
The only problem is that you pay nightly or weekly rates in these rentals, plus local and state taxes. And, as with business hotels, most hosts limit how long you can extend your stay.
No one enjoys moving into a new place every few weeks. Yet, that’s what happens when you use a short-term rental rather than long-term corporate lodging.
When you’re navigating a trip to a new city, finding fully-furnished rentals can be tricky. Digging a little deeper into corporate housing offers will give you the best return on your investment and make your staff happier.
How To Narrow Down Options To A Specific Location
Now that you know what you’re looking for in corporate housing as far as types and features, you’re ready to deal with the three main rules when it comes to real estate:
Location, location, location.
While you’re not exactly purchasing a 30-year mortgage for your nomadic workers, location should still play a major role in your short-term housing decision.
Follow these best practices when picking great places for you or your team.
Choose Your Neighborhood Based On Industry
The first factor you should consider is which neighborhood would be most convenient based on your industry.
For instance, traveling nurses would probably want to stay near the hospital or area with a large concentration of healthcare offices and practices. Technology professionals would be more conveniently housed in San Jose or elsewhere in Silicon Valley, rather than further north in the Bay Area or Oakland.
Factor In The Cost Of Living
Of course, everybody can’t live everywhere.
You’ll also need to consider the cost of living. Before locking in a reservation, check the prices of the following routine needs in your desired area:
- Average monthly rent
- Utilities (gas, electric, high-speed internet)
- Car rentals
- Public transportation (buses, trains)
- Groceries
PayScale offers an excellent Cost of Living Calculator that can break these details down for you and even give a comparison of two different towns.
Choose A Reliable Moving Company
Although your employees will be moving into a fully-furnished space, they’ll still want to bring a fair amount of personal items if they’re away for a couple of months or longer.
And if you’re a full-fledged major construction or nurse staffing firm, you’ll be sending workers all over the country.
That means you need a large, national moving company that has the flexibility for many moves and locations at any one time, no matter where you decide to place people.
The major U.S. moving companies are:
Check What Services And Attractions Are Nearby
Another major factor when considering housing location is nearby amenities.
Deciding to stay downtown or in the city’s financial district can be a little more expensive and rather congested. Still, you’ll have a much shorter commute to the office and might be able to take advantage of cheaper mass transit.
On the other hand, while the suburbs might be further away, they’re quieter and more laid back — which could be better for workers traveling with their families.
Getting more specific is a matter of deciding what activities you want nearby in your downtime.
Ask these questions of a potential move-in hotspot:
- Do you prefer a supermarket, or is a local farmers market just fine?
- Is there a bus stop or train station within walking distance?
- Do you have a dog and would rather walk them in a beautiful neighborhood park instead of a busy city street?
- Are you looking for scenic mountain views without heading far out of the city?
- Are your workers young professionals who love a good happy hour or some nightlife on the weekend?
Your answers here will help you pick out a good spot as well.
Workforce Housing With Travelers Haven
Many companies that provide corporate lodging services are part of the Corporate Housing Providers Association (CHPA). This designation means a business is likely accredited by a professional trade association and meets the highest quality assessment standards.
It’s a helpful label to see when you’re considering multiple corporate housing companies. What sets one apart from the other is the network they have to pull rentals from and how they treat their clients.
Global business travel is a trillion-dollar industry for hospitality service professionals. This works out in your favor because anything you need is likely available with the right company.
The trick is finding legitimate experts among a sea of lesser-skilled service providers.
Thousands of businesses choose Travelers Haven as their go-to home-away-from-home locator.
Why Choose Travelers Haven?
Working with Travelers Haven is always the best option, no matter where you’re sending your staff or how big or small your company is.
Travelers Haven redefines the way corporate housing has been traditionally structured. We focus on creating workforce housing options that solve the tenant and employer’s unique needs.
We understand that your business travelers may want an apartment community with perks like a full kitchen. We get that you’re working within a budget and want the best for your staff within that limit.
Adding the need for flexible lease terms to the equation can sound like a complex problem to solve.
Travelers Haven makes the solution less of a quadratic equation and more of a 1 + 1 = 2 answer.
How Travelers Haven Can Help You
Our team of experts can connect you to affordable workforce housing close to the job site, whether in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, or somewhere in between.
As soon as you fill out the essential information, someone will reach out and contact you for more details, like:
- Do you need one home or multiple lodging options?
- Where is your ideal location? (You can choose a city, town, or even a street. We’ll take care of it.)
- Will you want a studio apartment, a luxury townhome, or something else?
Travelers Haven has worked in the industry for years, building a network of connections to create the perfect temporary home for you.
This network ensures that whatever you want — housewares, paint colors, linens, etc. — is available on demand.
You’ll design the ideal housing solution for your staff, and we’ll reach out to our vast real estate connections to make it happen.
Bundled Billing For Added Convenience
After finding the right home, one of the biggest headaches is getting the utilities set up.
Many utility providers need a minimum stay, credit check, and a deposit before they will hook up service on a temporary basis. With Travelers Haven, we handle that part for you, too.
Our services include bundled billing.
Your monthly payment covers rent to the property management, utilities, and any extra fees. We use our connections with service providers to complete all the renovations and get everything hooked up before the renters move in.
When your contract is over, you don’t have to worry about disconnecting anything. The tenants pack their belongings, and we handle the rest.
With Travelers Haven, corporate housing is simplified. You tell us what you need to make your stay successful; we make it happen.
It’s as easy as that.
See also: What Is A Corporate Lease? [Explained]
Conclusion
As your business grows, so will your budget for travel expenses and the distance you’re willing to send your employees. Sending a traveler or multiple people on trips is a standard part of growth and a reliable way to get a return on your investment.
Travelers Haven can help you get that for your workforce housing needs.
If your nomadic travelers’ length of stay is longer than a week or two, skip the hotels and vacation rentals. Instead, give your staff a furnished home where they can feel welcome and relaxed while on the road.
Travelers Haven saves clients an average of 43% off temporary housing; contact us now!
Author: Travelers HavenOctober 12, 2022Workforce Housing