The complete guide to Serviced Offices.

Serviced office spaces take away the pressure of running, managing and paying the overheads on a private office. With one all-inclusive package, they give you access to space and equipment you might not be able to invest in all at once in a stylish and centrally-located private workspace.

If you’re looking at serviced offices for rent, read our guide to make sure you get the best possible package available.

Although it may look like a conventional leased office from the outside, the main difference between a fully serviced office space and other workspaces is on the inside. Also known as managed offices, these private workspaces come fully equipped with office furniture, meeting rooms, business lounges and other amenities such as on-site catering or parking. 

All of these services are included in the package price, so businesses don’t need to worry about receiving any unexpected costs or deal with the overheads and planning of setting up a private office from scratch.

Alongside the all-inclusive package and access to high-quality facilities, there are other benefits to fully managed offices which you should consider when weighing up your options: 

• Flexible term contracts: unlike conventional office leases, serviced offices are signed for month-by-month rather than on an annual or multi-year basis. This means you can move locations, adjust the size of your space or cancel it altogether at short notice if you need to. 
• Reception desks: usually part of larger business centres or commercial buildings, most serviced offices have a staffed reception. This gives you extra security and means your visitors get a professional welcome without you having to pay the salary of a receptionist. 
• Less management: whether you’re setting up your office or have been there for a few months, the external office management team will deal with any problems that arise with your services or amenities. This means no more headaches or unexpected costs for your business if the WiFi breaks or a water main bursts.
• Make it your own: within some commercial properties, you might also have the option to customise your workspace. This means you can add your own branding and style to your workspace without the overheads of a long-term lease. 
• Great locations: whether you’re looking for office space in London, Hong Kong or New York City, serviced offices put you on the doorstep of the world’s most desirable locations without you having to invest huge sums into a property in the right postcode.

Alongside serviced offices, there are many other workspace options out there as different businesses look for more flexible agreements, better facilities and more central locations. Here’s how serviced offices compare to the other most common types of workspaces.

Coworking spaces

With the number of coworking spaces worldwide expected to soar, flexible office spaces where businesses can work collaboratively or entrepreneurs can hot desk are increasing in popularity. Although the lease terms are equally as flexible as in serviced offices, working closely next to other businesses may not suit organisations that deal with sensitive information or work cultures better suited to individual working rather than collaboration. 

Shared offices

Another type of flexible workspace, shared offices are similar to coworking spaces except that they tend to be occupied by SME businesses rather than freelancers and entrepreneurs. With the same drawbacks as coworking spaces, shared offices also require you to use the same equipment and meeting rooms which can cause conflict if one team doesn’t follow the protocols of the space. 

Remote working

COVID-19 has no doubt made this option more popular and widely used, however, there are some drawbacks to only connecting to your team via video call. Inconsistencies in internet connection, a breakdown in communication and a lack of fusion within the team, are just some of the problems that can occur through long-term remote working. 

Once you’ve chosen the serviced office package and location you want to purchase, the office administration team will draw up a short-term lease agreement for you. Once this is signed, and a deposit has been placed, you can look forward to arriving at your workspace on the agreed date with everything already in place for you and your team.

If you type ‘serviced offices near me’ into Google, you’re likely to get hundreds of results – so how can you make sure that the serviced office you choose is right for you? Here are some questions you should consider:

What’s included in the package? 

Before putting your name on the dotted line, look at what is actually included in your serviced office package. For example, will you have all the equipment you need and be able to access it easily? 

Is there enough space? 

A general rule is that you should have around 100 square feet of space per employee. This enables them to have all the room they need to be productive while still encouraging close teamwork and collaboration. 

How long is the lease agreement?

Serviced office agreements typically run on a month-by-month basis, but it’s worth checking the fine print of your lease to make sure this is the case. 

Yes, Regus offers a range of serviced office space packages and membership options in central locations across the world. Let us take care of everything so your office is ready-to-use and set up to meet your needs, both long-term or on-demand. We also offer workplace recovery plans for businesses that need to secure temporary serviced office space immediately. 

To find out more about our spaces, head to our serviced office spaces to rent or call our experienced team who can help you to find the perfect serviced office for your business.