What is a Serviced Office? Your Ultimate Guide to Flexible Workspaces

June 26, 2024 / date
/ Reading time
Flowspaces/ Category

We know the question on everyone’s mind right now is, serviced offices or traditional offices? Traditional office leases can be a headache – long-term commitments, hefty upfront costs, and the hassle of managing everything from utilities to cleaning. Thanks but no thanks. 

This can be especially tough for startups, small businesses, and freelancers who need something more flexible and affordable. That’s where serviced offices come in – a smart, cost-effective solution that’s changing how we work.

We’re diving into the deep (but light and happy) world of serviced offices in this post and sharing all the ins and outs; like serviced office meaning, how they differ from traditional offices, and, most importantly, their benefits to businesses. AKA you!

Keep on reading.

What Makes a Serviced Office?

A serviced office is a fully furnished and equipped office space that offers flexible lease terms and shared amenities. Unlike traditional office spaces, serviced offices are managed by someone who takes care of all the office maintenance and administrative tasks, allowing businesses to focus on their core operations. Simply put, they basically make life easier for you and your business. Sounds great right?

Serviced offices come with a range of features designed to meet the needs of modern businesses:

– Reception services: Professional receptionists to greet clients and handle mail (you no longer have to worry about your mail getting lost, plus you’ll look extra professional when any clients pop in)

– Meeting rooms: Access to fully equipped meeting and conference rooms (perfect for when you need some extra brainstorming with your team or even host small meetings with others)

– IT support: Technical support and high-speed internet connectivity (a must in today’s world of virtual working, right?)

– Cleaning services: Regular cleaning and maintenance of the workspace (probably one of the best parts about a serviced office – hands up if you agree)

– Utilities: All essential utilities like electricity, water, and heating included (no more headaches around unpaid heating bills *dances in relief*)

– Shared amenities: Access to communal areas such as kitchens, lounges, and restrooms (and some serviced offices even offer things like gyms, wellness centres, and on-site cafes – sounds dreamy)

Different Types

Serviced offices come in various forms to suit different business needs:

– Private offices: Just like your traditional office spaces, a serviced private office is still enclosed and, as you read, private, but all the nitty gritty is taken care of, as we’ve mentioned. So, this is kind of like that happy medium!

– Coworking spaces: Coworking spaces have really grown in popularity in the aftermath of Covid, because of their flexibility and community-feel. A shared workspace with people from different companies and backgrounds can be a great source of inspiration and creativity throughout the day, plus it offers a wonderful opportunity to network.

Benefits of Serviced Offices

Flexibility

One of the most significant advantages of serviced offices is their flexibility. Businesses can opt for short-term leases (think no more than 6 months here!), scale their space up or down based on their needs, and utilise on-demand options for meeting rooms and desks.

Cost-Effectiveness

Serviced offices eliminate the need for a substantial upfront investment (cue sigh of relief). Businesses benefit from predictable monthly costs that include rent, utilities, and maintenance, making budgeting easier and more transparent. For SMEs, freelancers, and remote-workers, the cost-effectiveness is a huge benefit.

Convenience

With serviced offices, businesses move into a ready-to-use workspace, saving time and effort on furnishing and managing the office. This allows them to focus on their core activities from day one. Say goodbye to the stress of office admin, annoying monthly bills, and the pressure of that expensive lease. Say hello to stress-free working, leases that suit you, and doing what you do best: running your business.

Professional Image

Serviced offices come with those professional reception services we mentioned, and whether you have clients to impress daily, or maybe if it’s simply just you and your team, that added professional touch is a huge bonus (if only for team morale!)

Networking Opportunities

Working in a serviced office environment offers numerous opportunities to connect with other businesses and professionals, fostering collaboration and networking. Different spaces will often host events after work or on a monthly basis where tenants are invited to join, chat, and just thrive a little outside of work too. Say no more *heart eyes*.

Who Uses Serviced Offices?

Startups and Small Businesses

Startups and small businesses benefit from the agile workspace provided by serviced offices, which allows them to grow and adapt without the constraints of long-term leases. Start-up life is stressful enough without the nagging realities of office management and everything that entails. Embracing the serviced office life makes the start-up/small business journey that much calmer!

Freelancers and Solopreneurs

For freelancers and solopreneurs, serviced offices offer a professional environment without the commitment of a long-term lease, providing a productive space to work and meet clients.

Often as a freelancer, working from home, by yourself, all day everyday can become tedious. The opportunity to be surrounded by others in a similar boat means that inspiration and motivation can possibly strike a bit more often.

If this sounds like you, why not book your on-demand hot desk for a day of blissful work via the FlowSpace app? With so many amazing coworking spaces to choose from (seriously, we’ll have one that ticks all of your boxes!) you’ll be able to get those creative juices flowing and mingle with some like-minded people as well. Can you taste it yet? That sweet, sweet flavour of flexibility and working on your own terms? It’s so good.

Large Companies

Serviced offices aren’t only useful for smaller businesses. Large companies use serviced offices for specific project spaces or temporary expansion space, allowing them to scale operations quickly and efficiently, also enjoying the flexibility they allow.

International Businesses

International businesses can establish a presence in a new market quickly with serviced offices, avoiding the complexities and costs associated with setting up a traditional office. The way the world works is changing and serviced offices are moving with the times, allowing businesses from everywhere to succeed in new places.

Choosing the Right Serviced Office

Location

When selecting a serviced office, consider its proximity to any clients you may have, transport links, and essential amenities. A convenient location can enhance your business’s accessibility and appeal. Also, bear in mind, the location can determine networking opportunities. Whether you’re in tech, finance, the creative field, and so on, where you choose to work will affect the direct opportunities available around you. So, you know, choose wisely!

Amenities

Determine which services and facilities are essential for your business operations. Ensure the serviced office provides these amenities to support your team’s productivity. Perhaps a wellness centre is extremely important for your team’s enjoyment, or on-site showers for a post cycle-to-work rinse. Or maybe you’re a coffee enthusiast and require the best barista-made coffee as you open your laptop. Whatever it may be, you can find the perfect option.

Cost

Compare pricing and lease terms from different spaces to find the best value for your business. As you’re now aware, serviced offices are naturally more cost-effective than your traditional long-term office lease. However, different serviced offices will still have a range of costs. It’s just about determining your non-negotiables and figuring out the best options from there.

Contract Terms

Make sure you understand the terms and conditions before signing anything. Whether you’re looking for that part-time serviced office, or simply a day pass for you and your team to enjoy some much-needed in-person brainstorming, it’s always good to thoroughly read those Ts and Cs!

The Future of Serviced Offices

Growth Trends

As you can see, flexible workspaces are on the rise. With more businesses seeking agility and cost-efficiency, serviced offices are becoming increasingly popular. More and more businesses have turned to the hybrid working approach as employees crave a stronger work-life balance. That essentially means offering as much flexibility and autonomy as possible. This is only getting bigger and bigger.

New Technologies

Smart office solutions and virtual collaboration tools are making serviced offices even more appealing. These innovations provide a modern, tech-savvy environment that supports remote and hybrid work models.

So there you have it! Serviced offices offer a flexible, cost-effective, and convenient workspace solution for businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re a startup, freelancer, or a large company, serviced offices can provide the professional environment and scalability you need. Embrace the future of work with a serviced office that meets your business needs and watch your productivity soar.

If you feel a bit stuck and want to find out more about serviced offices/find the perfect one for you, get in touch and we’ll hook you up with your dream space.