A serviced office is a great option for businesses of all sizes, operating in any industry. But what exactly is a serviced office, and what should you look for when searching for the perfect office space?
What is a serviced office?
A serviced office is an office space that’s fully furnished and comes with utilities like the internet and phone lines already installed and included in the monthly bill. They’re sometimes called managed offices or business centres instead, but the basic concept is the same. They can be a great option, whether you’re looking for a start-up office, or are expanding to a satellite office in a new location.
Serviced offices include all the facilities you need, including meeting rooms, a manned reception, and in-office maintenance like cleaning services. It means you can just move into the office and everything’s already set up for you, ready to go. There’s no wasting any time waiting for the internet to get set up or for furniture to arrive – you turn up with your laptop and your first working day has started.
What’s more, because traditional leases don’t work for everyone, serviced office spaces allow for more flexibility. Whether you need a short-term option, a rolling contract, or long-term stability, there’s a wide range of serviced office spaces to suit you.
With simple pricing for rental fees with utilities included, you only have one monthly bill to worry about, helping you to budget more effectively.
A serviced office contract makes it easier to adapt the space to suit your needs. If you’re a solo entrepreneur just starting out on your business journey, you can choose a smaller space, but as your business grows and you take on more employees, you should be able to size up to an office that better suits your needs.
How to choose an office space
Finding the perfect office can be a daunting task, with so many different options out there. We’ve outlined some key tips to choosing a serviced office below so you know what to look out for when searching for an office space.
Cost
Cost is, of course, an important factor when it comes to choosing a serviced office. Costs vary depending on where you’re based. London is the most expensive city in which to rent an office space in the UK, but even within the capital, prices can vary between areas, costing from as little as £60 per month in the West End of London. Remember that the monthly bill you pay includes not only your office space but also your utilities with no hidden extras – so when working out your budget, you don’t need to factor in any additional costs. Simply work out how much you can afford to spend on your office space every month, and filter your search by price.
Location
Location, location, location. It’s important to think about where your business is based. Do you want to be close to transport links? Do you need parking for your employees? And do you need to be close to your clients? As Forbes notes, “when renting an office, you need to understand who the office is for. Are clients coming for meetings? Or is it just a location for staff to work?” The answers to these questions will factor into the office location you choose.
How much office space do you need?
As noted above, one of the great things about a serviced office space is the flexibility it allows to scale up if you need to. It’s important, then, to consider how much space you need. If you currently have two employees, do you want an office space that comfortably fits the three of you? Or do you want to go for a bigger office space that might seem empty at first, but offers plenty of room for you to grow and expand in the future?
It’s also important to consider what your working arrangements look like, post-Covid. If you’re now offering flexible working, perhaps you’ll only have 50% of your workforce in the office at any one time – in which case, you may be able to take on smaller office space.
What facilities are available?
Different serviced office spaces come with different facilities available. Do you just need the basics, like a manned reception and high-speed internet? Or do you want an on-site cafe, gym and showers as well? A recent study by Engage showed a 32% increase in demand for gym membership discounts – so if you’re looking for new staff, an on-site gym could be a great incentive to help you recruit the best talent.
What’s included in the lease?
Serviced offices generally include your cleaning and utilities, but other facilities and services may vary depending on the service provider. When you’re looking for an office, find out what’s included in your monthly bill, and what comes at an extra charge. Is the use of meeting rooms free, for example, or are these charged by the hour? Is printing included, or is this extra? The facilities provided can vary between office space providers, so be sure to find out exactly what is included in your agreement.
Are serviced offices worth it?
Serviced offices can be a great, cost-effective option for your business. With clear, transparent pricing and flexible contracts that allow you to expand your business when you need to, a serviced office space can be a fantastic option for businesses that don’t want to be locked into long contracts.
So if you think a managed office might be the right option for you, get in touch with Easy Offices today and we’ll help you to find your perfect space. Whether you’re looking for an office in Edinburgh, London, Cardiff or any of the major towns and cities around the UK, just get in touch with us today.