Serviced offices offer a plethora of advantages for many businesses, mostly for their convenience, cost-efficiency, and practicality. If you are planning to have a serviced office or currently have a standard office and would like to have something better, then you should find out all you can about what serviced offices can offer so you can make the right decision in the end. So before you begin looking around for a serviced office, there are some particular questions you should ask yourself first.
Questions to ask yourself before opting for a serviced office
There are many reasons why more business owners are opting for serviced offices. For one, a serviced office offers added convenience with the fact that all your utilities are taken care of – from the Internet to a telephone line to business printing services, a serviced office can provide you with exactly what you need. But aside from this, how sure are you that a serviced office is what you require? One of the first things you should ask yourself is whether or not you are happy in your existing business premises or not. Is it becoming difficult to manage your existing premises? If so, then a serviced office may be what you need.
Also, are you unsure about the growth of your business and are still in the process of ‘trying out’ a new location? Then a serviced office may be the solution. Another question to ask yourself is whether a new, more impressive address would make a difference for your business. If the answer is yes, then you may consider a serviced office for your enterprise. If you simply cannot afford a standard office or commit to a long lease, then a serviced office is what you may need as well.
What to expect from serviced offices
Whilst it’s true that one serviced office may have different facilities and amenities from another, there are some general services you can expect. For instance, most serviced offices available today will share common facilities with others in the same area or building, such as a common kitchen.
Telephone and Internet connections
All serviced offices offer the utmost convenience when it comes to technical requirements – and this includes telephone and Internet connections. The good thing about this is that your telephone and Internet bills may already be covered and come with the rent.
Meeting facilities
Other facilities being offered by most serviced offices are meeting or conference rooms. These rooms are available on a pro rata basis, meaning you only pay for them when you use them. The billing or payment option for meeting rooms will also vary depending on the owner or operator of the serviced office complex.
Office furniture
More often than not, you can also expect a serviced office to include some office furniture, such as chairs and tables, reception desks, workstations, and even filing systems. It depends on the serviced office what type of furniture they will provide, but often, all you need to do as soon as you sign the contract is move in – everything is ready and set up for use.
However, keep in mind that computers are not usually offered in a serviced office, although there may be some that include computers for an additional fee.
Various business services
Some serviced offices, such as The Dorcan Complex (which offers serviced offices in Swindon), provide additional business services such as printing services for the convenience of their tenants. These services are on a pro rata basis as well, so you only pay for them when you use of them. Other additional business services may include reception area staff, telephone services, couriers, and business and office supply services.