subject: Business Benefits of Serviced Office Space [print this page] Having an office from which to operate is a basic function of business but there are flexible options available which mean you aren't tied into a long term lease and dont need to make a substantial investment into office equipment and furniture.
A serviced office is a popular alternative to simply renting an empty office and kitting it out yourself. A serviced office is an office space within a shared building, or business centre, and this type of arrangement comes with many benefits.
First and foremost, serviced offices tend to offer more flexible rental terms when compared to the length of a typical commercial lease in Britain. If you are just starting out or aren't sure how long you might need an office space for, you may not want to be tied into a contract that spans several years.
A short term lease gives you a chance to set up your office and gauge how business goes, allowing you to make an informed decision about longer term options. A flexible lease allows you to move in and out quickly, allows you to use the office for the exact amount of time required and means you aren't wasting money if you need to terminate the lease.
You generally find that signing a lease for a serviced office incurs no legal costs and tends to be simple and quick to arrange.
A serviced office will contain any required furniture and tenants can share business machines and other resources which may otherwise be unaffordable, such as photocopying and fax machines. Telecom equipment and broadband connectivity should be provided as well though it is worth noting you will need to provide your own IT equipment.
Setting up shop in a serviced office requires less initial capital outlay as you aren't paying outright for the furniture and services required. Cost cutting is therefore a major draw of using serviced offices.
Money can also be saved when you consider maintenance, cleaning, repairs and communications. In a serviced office arrangement this is in-built into the overall cost, meaning more operating income for your business, whereas in a traditional office rental arrangement, these costs would have to be paid for in full from the business budget and arranged yourself.
Ease of expansion is another major draw of using a serviced office. Serviced office space is normally flexible, allowing for additional space to be allocated at short notice, should the size of an individual business change. This allows you to easily increase or decrease space, depending on how your business is performing.
Most serviced offices have a reception area, meeting room facilities and secretarial support, often charged on a pay-per-use basis.
Serviced offices are available throughout the United Kingdom so shop around to find the best match for your requirements. Once you have found your ideal serviced office you can move in quickly and let the service provider take care of all necessary arrangements, allowing you to focus on your business from day one.
