Finding the best office space for you: coworking vs serviced offices

In recent years, the traditional, professional office space landscape has undergone a significant transformation. With the rise of remote work and the changing demands of modern professionals, a flexible office market has emerged, providing viable alternatives to conventional office setups in the form of coworking spaces and serviced offices. Both options offer unique benefits and cater to different needs, making it essential to understand their differences to make an informed choice.

Many companies have kept their traditional office rentals, however this is no longer a cost effective option for startups or small and medium businesses. Many companies are operating under a hybrid models, with employees coming into the office 2/3 times per week, or working fully remote.

Companies who need to be cost conscious have come to understand that professional and productive working environments can be found in flexible office solutions.

Are you finding it difficult to choose the right office space for you and your team? In this blog post, we will explore the disparities between coworking spaces and serviced offices, helping you determine the ideal workspace for your business or personal requirements.

Coworking vs Serviced Offices

Why join a coworking space?

Coworking spaces have gained tremendous popularity among freelancers, startups, and entrepreneurs seeking a flexible and collaborative work environment. Coworking spaces target individuals as they are able to offer the most flexible and therefore cost effective option.

Key benefits of using a coworking space:

1.Flexibility: Coworking spaces provide flexibility in terms of membership plans, allowing individuals and teams to choose from various options based on their needs. Most coworking spaces tend to offer hot desk and dedicated options with access communal spaces to phone booths and meeting rooms. A great coworking space will offer hourly rates as well as daily options. The most flexible office spaces will design bespoke packages, especially for teams looking to design their hybrid way of working. At HomeWork, we always prefer to design memberships to include a combination of flexible hot desk, dedicated desk, meeting room and phone booth facilities to make sure our customers are only paying for what they need.

3. Amenities and Services: Coworking spaces typically offer a range of amenities, including high-speed internet, meeting rooms, printing facilities, communal areas, and kitchen spaces. These well-equipped spaces are designed to enhance productivity and provide a comfortable work environment. Some spaces will also offer mail handling, business address and virtual assistant services for companies who choose to set up their business from a coworking space.

4. Cost-effectiveness: For freelancers and small businesses, coworking spaces offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional office leases, the ability to tailor your membership around your budget is key. For bigger businesses, rather than investing in setting up and maintaining an office, members can access the necessary infrastructure and resources at a fraction of the cost. It removes the extra costs of cleaning, bills and business rates that come with traditional office spaces.

Is a serviced office right for me?

Serviced offices, also known as executive suites or business centres, provide fully furnished and equipped workspaces that are ready for immediate use. Serviced offices are great for anyone looking for a professional private space, for larger companies who don’t want to commit to a traditional long-term rental agreement, serviced offices provide an opportunity to take an entire office space with a more flexible agreement.

What’s different about a serviced office?

1. Privacy and Customisation: Serviced offices offer a higher level of privacy and exclusivity compared to coworking spaces. With dedicated offices and personalised configurations, businesses can create their own branded environment tailored to their specific needs.
2. Professional Image: Serviced offices often feature prestigious addresses in prime locations, projecting a professional image for businesses. The presence of receptionists, administrative support, and well-designed meeting rooms adds to the overall corporate appeal.
3. Infrastructure and Maintenance: Serviced offices come with comprehensive infrastructure, including IT and telecom systems, furniture, and office equipment. The office provider takes care of maintenance, cleaning, and security, relieving businesses of these administrative responsibilities.
4. Short-Term Contracts: Serviced offices are suitable for businesses requiring short-term commitments. These spaces offer flexible lease terms, allowing companies to scale up or downsize as needed without being tied to long-term contracts.

Choosing the best office space for you

When deciding between a coworking space and a serviced office, consider the following factors:

1. Size and Growth: If you are a freelancer or a small team looking for flexibility and community, a coworking space will be ideal. Coworking spaces are also great for small and medium teams looking to design their own hybrid working solution, as they can offer a combination of dedicated and flexible office spaces. If you require a large square foot and would prefer a completely private office space for your team, a serviced office may better suit your needs.
2. Budget: Evaluate your budgetary constraints and compare the costs associated with coworking spaces and serviced offices. Consider the amenities, services, and location to determine the best value for your investment. If you are cost conscious and need flexibility with your budget, a coworking space will be the better option, with many spaces offering hourly and daily pay as you go rates. If you have a budget for a higher monthly rent and have a high service requirement then you are able to consider both serviced offices and coworking.
3. Work Culture and Networking: Reflect on your preferred work environment and the level of collaboration or privacy required. If networking, idea-sharing, and a dynamic community are important, a coworking space can provide a stimulating atmosphere, and also offer opportunities to gain referrals and new clients.
4. Professional Image: Consider the impression you want. Unlike serviced offices many coworking spaces offer a relaxed and collaborative environment, which some may consider less professional. However, most coworking spaces provide meeting rooms and conference room which are perfect for a professional and productive meeting.

Need help comparing office space?

When comparing coworking and office spaces, there are many sites that help you in your search, such as Flexioffices or Instant Offices. Other sites are more catered towards flexible spaces offering hourly and daily bookings such as Hubble, Othership and Tally.

At HomeWork, we offer free trial days at all of our coworking spaces to give you the opportunity to try out our facilities. We offer hot desks, dedicated desks, meeting rooms, private offices and even a coffee shop at the front of each of our locations. Our reception teams are always on hand to assist you with bookings, networking, printing or chat at lunch time! Find out more about our locations and book your free day here.