Guide To Serviced Office Space & Their Key Benefits

Read on to learn more about serviced offices and the benefits of running your business from one.

What does serviced office mean?

A serviced office, also known as a managed office, is an office space usually found within a business centre. Serviced office providers usually offer businesses a simple monthly fee and take care of the management of the premises on behalf of tenants. What's included in the monthly charge for a serviced office will vary depending on the provider. Still, you can realistically expect it to cover rent, utilities and an estate charge.

What's included in a serviced office?

Generally, serviced offices have a front-of-house member of staff responsible for looking after the reception desk and often the overall running of the business centre.

Serviced offices usually feature communal kitchens, bathrooms and breakout spaces. Most serviced office spaces will already be fitted out with cables for you to install your equipment quickly, and some come furnished too.

The estate charge included in many serviced office packages is likely to cover cleaning of communal areas, maintenance services, and items like toilet rolls and soap for the bathrooms.

Many serviced offices feature meeting rooms, boardrooms, training rooms and conference rooms available to book, which may be included in your monthly fee. Depending on which serviced office provider you choose, there may be an additional charge.

At Business First, boardroom hire is free for business centre tenants and can be booked through the centre manager, subject to availability.

What are the benefits of serviced offices?

There are plenty of benefits to choosing a serviced office space, rather than renting or buying commercial premises for your business.

Flexible office space

Most business centres can offer flexible leases on their serviced office space, which means you can choose from a short-term contract if you aren't ready to commit. If you are looking to save money and are confident you want to stay based in the same place, a longer rental is a better option for your business.

Upsize or downsize your office space

Another bonus is the likelihood that you will be able to easily upsize or downsize your office space, depending on your business needs. If you need larger or smaller office space, you can usually switch your space easily. A large business centre will likely have different office suites available in various sizes. If you were in a standalone office, moving offices cause much more upheaval and possible downtime to your business.

Affordable office space

Serviced offices can be a cost-effective solution for businesses. One simple monthly cost avoids any nasty surprises and helps companies manage their budgets efficiently. Plus, as you only pay for the space you need, serviced offices cost less than traditional offices – with the bonus of communal areas available when you need them. And when you factor in the amount of space available for you to use, you'll find you get a lot more for your money with a serviced office within a business centre.

Be part of a business community

In the age of the sharing economy, more and more businesses are seeking collaboration and communication with others within a mutually beneficial business community. So, the traditional, standalone office can seem like an isolating place in this respect. When you choose a serviced office within a business centre, you join an existing community of like-minded companies. Communal areas lend themselves to networking, collaboration and joint working. Being part of a community encourages businesses operating under one roof to support each other and share opportunities.

Join a more extensive business network

Business centres with multiple locations will often allow serviced office users to access offices, meeting rooms and coworking spaces at other centres. This can come in as a handy go-to to finding quick, professional areas to conduct meetings outside your head office. Ideal if you travel a lot for work or have sales colleagues who require a place to meet with clients or catch up on emails in various locations across the UK.

At Business First, all of our serviced office tenants can use the facilities at any of our locations – contact the relevant centre manager to book some space or a boardroom for hire.

Save money on a receptionist

Traditional office spaces require a receptionist to greet guests. However, serviced office users can enjoy all of the benefits of a receptionist without paying the extra salary. Most business centres offering serviced office space rental have a staffed reception area to welcome visitors.  Making such a professional first impression on clients and guests can go a long way toward boosting the reputation of a business without any of the costs associated with hiring a full-time receptionist.

No maintenance, no problem

Building maintenance can be one of the most stressful and mundane parts of running a business if you have commercial premises. By renting a serviced office, you can wave goodbye to all of the hassles of maintaining premises, leaving you more time to focus on running and growing your business.

Great office locations

Business centres are generally planned and designed with easy access, so you'll usually discover they are close to motorway networks with excellent public transport links. So, however your staff travel to work, they're likely to find it simple when you choose to base your business within an existing business centres' prime location.

Can I make a serviced office rental my own?

Serviced offices can often come with a staple, professional design and layout, but if you choose the right office provider, there can be the option to put your own branded stamp on the place. There is the opportunity for you to change the décor of your office to suit your brand. At Business First, we encourage serviced office tenants to make the space their own. A design and build service are available before you move in to optimise the layout for your business needs. Our tenants can vary from barristers to beauty therapists and personal trainers to psychologists. We want all of our tenants to feel like their office space represents their business.

What else can a serviced office provider offer my business?

Many additional services are available to business centre tenants who rent serviced office space. 

Your office provider may help you set up IT and telecoms, as many providers have the bulk buying power to tap into great deals on behalf of all tenants, saving money for businesses compared to negotiating as a single entity.

If you're looking for help in sourcing furniture or other interior office items, many business centre management companies will help you find everything you need by putting you in touch with their preferred suppliers.

Some business centres also offer other benefits such as discounted deals for local leisure facilities, restaurants, and more.

Some offer storage facilities to businesses who require extra space to store archives or stock – this can be a cost-effective way to run a business, as it's cheaper than paying for a larger area you may not use.

Serviced office providers want their tenants to work together, network, and collaborate. You could discover great discounts on products and services from your fellow tenants through conversations in communal spaces or newsletters, email bulletins, and social media updates from your office provider.

Are there any hidden costs with serviced offices?

When you rent or buy traditional business premises, the costs can quickly increase and see your budget spiralling out of control. Serviced offices are the number one option if you're looking for an exact price that you can easily budget, with no hidden fees. You'll be given a precise monthly cost that indicates what's included and what isn't.

What kind of business is a serviced office suitable for?

Thanks to the many advantages, serviced offices are suited to most businesses, from start-ups and small enterprises to large corporations. The flexibility of a serviced office makes it an attractive option for start-up companies and sole traders. A short-term lease can help them see if it works well for their company and get benefits such as meeting room access and more without getting tied into a contract. Large companies often use serviced offices to set up a regional base, as they can find all of the facilities they need without the hassle of setting up new premises. Businesses experiencing rapid growth love the flexibility of serviced office space, as they can easily upgrade their office space without any disruption to day-to-day operations. Whatever industry you work in, a serviced office could likely work well for your company. Whether you're a nail technician looking for a small space to welcome customers, or an international corporation setting up a call centre in an affordable location, there's a serviced office solution to tick all your boxes.

If you don't feel ready for a serviced office just yet, check out coworking or hot desk solutions in your area. Get an insight into office space without any commitment, or you could rent a virtual office to establish a presence and professional address for your business.