What is a Serviced Office?
This is a frequently asked question when people are searching for their new office space, so you're not alone.
In recent years, Serviced Offices have become the norm in London, as more and more buildings move away from the traditional leased office model.
Our London experts ensure us that this is in direct relation to the needs of their clients. Modern business now requires you to change and alter at will and to be adaptable to the space around you, and this is exactly what Serviced Offices allow you to do.
A Serviced Office is a space that is fully-furnished and fully-serviced (electricity, broadband, phone lines, heating, etc), and is ready for you to move in almost immediately.
Your bills are all combined into one handy monthly payment which covers everything in rental agreement. The specifics of what is included in your office space tends to differ from building to building, with some spaces charging extra for use of things like meeting rooms, with some including that price in the monthly bill.
How is it billed?
In a Serviced Office, the pricing is broken down by per desk, per month. This means that you will be charged for the number of desks you have rented by the month.
The desk price can vary depending on where in Dublin you locate and what kind of desk you choose. For more information on London desk prices, see our London office price calculator.
Do I need to sign a lease?
A major difference between Serviced Offices and traditional offices, which is one of the main reasons for deciding to use them, is the length of the contract.
A Serviced Office contract may be as short as 3 months, or more typically 6, 9 or 12 months.
This is very different from the long lease normally associated with a traditional office and gives many organisations the much-needed flexibility to shrink or expand as their business needs.
Is it more expensive than a traditional office?
In short, yes, but the benefits of a Serviced Office far outweigh what you would have saved choosing a traditional office.
In addition to not being tied into a long-term lease and being able to adjust your size requirements as you need, your Building Operator takes full responsibility for all of the services to the building, meaning you have a dedicated on-site team who manage the practicalities of the building.
Some buildings also provide a range of business services including reception and telephone answering services, secretarial support, conference and meeting facilities, video conferencing and networking opportunities.
How important is location for my business?
Very.
Serviced Offices tend to locate themselves right in the heart of London, close to all of the main business districts, tech hubs, transport links and cultural amenities. However, these addresses are usually very pricey for a company looking to locate there in a traditional office.
As you usually won’t be the sole occupier of the building, your costs are spread out among more people, meaning you can avail of an iconic business address, such as Mayfair or Covent Garden, and it won’t break the bank.
If you are curious about renting a London Serviced Office contact our London office brokers today, where they will be able to help you.