Serviced Offices

Why should you choose serviced office space over a traditional office lease? Serviced offices seem expensive, compared on a per sq.ft/ sq.m basis but they include a lot of services for the extra cost.

Serviced offices (or flexible offices) aren't right for every company however but as a property option they should be explored and compared with traditional office leases

Cost may be the initial and main deciding factor in selecting a property; Usually serviced offices will provide an all inclusive monthly fee which can be three times or more as much as a traditional office lease however it will include items such as rent, business rates, service charge, heating, lighting, cleaning and a reception service. You also do not need to pay for meeting room space that will sit empty for much of the time as you can rent meeting rooms in the building for as long as you need them, when you need them.

In addition serviced offices are usually available immediately. They have simple standard licence agreements which means a solicitor is probably not required. They have telephone and internet lines up and running and are ready furnished. If you need accommodation within days, serviced offices are probably your only option. (Serviced offices can in this way be used as a stepping stone to a traditional office giving a company an immediate presence whilst a more permanent property is sourced, documentation completed and the fit-out completed)

Serviced offices also work very well where there is a short term need for offices, as the set up costs are very low, and licences can be signed for a few months, something that traditional office leases can not offer. In addition they can provide excellent credibility for small business or a local or regional office for a larger company.

The office buildings where serviced offices are based also tend to be larger and with better finishes than you may find if looking for a small requirement, as the providers will take whole buildings, or a number of floors in a large building and then sub divide to provide smaller suites.

Next>> The catches with flexible serviced offices