What Are The Benefits of Serviced and Managed Office Spaces?

Running a business is time-consuming and often quite stressful, so it makes sense that entrepreneurs would want to lighten their load as much as possible. This is where renting serviced and managed office spaces can provide them with all sorts of benefits.

In this article, we’ll cover some of the basics, before exploring the benefits of a serviced office in more depth, and the advantages that managed office services can bring.

The Key Benefits of Serviced and Managed Offices

Before choosing your next office space, it’s worth considering the benefits of serviced offices and managed office services. For starters, these kinds of workspaces save you from researching a range of different workspaces and navigating the complex lease agreements offered by each of them, and working out what new equipment you’ll need to purchase.

1. Enjoy flexible contracts that suit your needs

One of the biggest considerations when choosing office space is the length of your lease. In this regard, serviced offices are perfect for new businesses, or organisations that are growing quickly, because the rental terms for serviced offices are short-term and very flexible. That lets you easily upsize (or downsize) in line with your business plan. They can also be a good choice for smaller businesses with remote and hybrid staff that want to keep a central office that employees can use a few days a week.

Managed offices are also flexible, allowing businesses to negotiate contracts according to their requirements. Whether you choose a short-term or long-term lease will depend on where you are in your business plan, your business’s needs and how you see those changing over the next few years. The average lease for a managed office is typically one to three years, making it a more suitable option for businesses and SMEs looking to scale up.

Another benefit of managed office services is that they give you the flexibility to customise the workspace to create your own look, feel and company identity.

2. Keep your balance sheet in check

With both managed and serviced offices, you will only pay for the space you need, which can help to free up cash for your other business priorities. The great thing about managed offices is that all the costs are rolled into a single monthly or quarterly fee, and there are no hidden charges after that. That gives you total cost transparency and helps you budget accordingly. Typically, your rent and utility bills, allocated parking, on-site security, waste and recycling services, and cleaning of communal areas are included in your fees (although it can differ between providers). You will also have someone on call to address any issues and provide anything you need.

One of the key benefits of serviced offices is that your rent covers the number of desks you’re using, and nothing more. That makes it a great way for small businesses to keep their costs down. If your business is growing and you need more space, the flexible leases allow you to move to a larger office, potentially in the same building, allowing for a fast and seamless transition. That makes future expansion easy and helps you control your costs in line with your income.

3. There’s next to no downtime

The last thing you need when moving into a new office is a lengthy delay in operations while you set up your space. That’s something both serviced and managed offices can help you with.

In a serviced office, everything you need will already be in place, so you can move in and get to work immediately. Your office will be furnished and pre-cabled, with internet and telecoms included in your serviced office package. You’ll usually be expected to use your own computer equipment in a serviced office, so you may have to spend a few minutes setting it up before you can get down to business.

Like a serviced office, managed offices are also difficult to beat when it comes to maintaining the continuity of your operations. Once you have chosen how you want to configure your office, your managed office provider will do the customising while you continue to operate from your existing location. As a third party is doing all the work, you can set up a managed office more quickly than a traditional office space, which means there’s little to no downtime when moving in.

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Choosing Between Serviced and Managed Offices

There are three different ways you can rent office space for your business. You can go for a standard office rental, a serviced office, or a managed office.

With a standard office rental, you’re paying for a completely blank canvas - just the space, and nothing more. This then leaves you responsible for everything required to turn that empty space into a functioning office, including the set-up, utilities and furniture, and filling it with all the office equipment you need.

What’s more common is to rent either a serviced office or a managed office, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses. This approach requires a lower initial investment and allows you to get up and running more quickly. But what’s the difference between the two?

Serviced Offices

A serviced office is a workspace you rent that is all ready to go. The space is fitted out to the provider’s specifications so you can simply turn up and start working.

contracts on serviced offices are typically very flexible and available on a short-term basis (usually one to 12 months), and often include additional facilities that are built into your monthly rent. These include reception staff, clerical support, Wi-Fi and the use of on-site meeting rooms. In a serviced office, you typically pay per desk.

Managed Offices

A managed office has similarities to a serviced office, as flexibility is built into the lease and the office is operated by a third party. However, while you have to take a serviced office as you find it, a managed office gives you the freedom to tailor the space to meet your business’s requirements.

For example, in a managed office, you can choose everything from the number of chairs and desks to the location of meeting rooms and floor finishes. The provider can then deliver the space to your exact requirements to create your custom-built workspace. You typically agree to a lease of a minimum of 12 months and pay for the amount of space you occupy rather than the number of desks.

What Businesses are a Good Fit for Serviced and Managed Office Space?

Who uses a serviced office space? The simple answer is anyone. Many smaller and home-based businesses rent serviced offices because the benefits they provide are such a good fit for their needs. However, even some global companies rent serviced offices if they want a local hub for their employees or they’d like an affordable way to try out a new location without committing to a long-term lease.

Serviced offices are popular with:

• Entrepreneurs and freelancers who want to benefit from the facilities and improve their work-life balance
• Start-up businesses that need a flexible solution while minimising risk
• Small businesses that are growing quickly and need to be able to upsize seamlessly
• SMEs that can benefit from the networking opportunities and want the same facilities as their larger competitors (such as the use of meeting rooms)

Managed office services tend to be more popular among larger businesses across a broad range of sectors. They are the perfect solution if you want a purpose-built and branded workspace that can help you optimise your efficiency and impress your clients.

Managed offices are often used by:

• Growing businesses with 20+ employees that are outgrowing coworking or serviced offices but still want the flexibility and convenience
• More established businesses that have previously had traditional office spaces but now see the value of a flexible solution
• Corporate project teams that need a hub in a new location so they can complete a project or contract
• International companies looking for a more agile space to better accommodate modern working styles

Meeting the Demands of Modern Working Styles

Businesses now have more choice about their working environment than ever before. And with many businesses embracing a more agile approach, the benefits of serviced offices and managed office services can make them an excellent fit.

Whether it’s a serviced office complete with breakout areas, meeting rooms and in-house reception staff, or a fully customised managed workspace, we can help you find the right office space for your business. We know the office market inside out and our service is entirely free. Just take a look at our available office spaces or get in touch to discuss your requirements with our team.