Serviced offices are a great solution for businesses that need the flexibility to scale up, or down, without being locked into a long-term lease. But one of the challenges of renting office space post-pandemic is that you’re often paying for space that your staff are not using. So how much office space do you really need?
Serviced offices
When you’re looking for a serviced office, the main thing you’ll need to consider is how much space you need for office use, as opposed to the amenities like meeting rooms and toilets which are shared.
A good rule of thumb is to allow for around 50 square feet per person. So, if you’re looking for an office for four people, you’ll need a space that’s around 200 square feet. Of course, this is just a general guideline as you may need a different size depending on your specific needs. But it’s a good starting point when you’re trying to estimate the size of space you’ll need. Once you’ve got a rough idea of the square footage you need, you can start looking at serviced offices that are a good fit for your business.
Leasehold offices
A leasehold office normally provides the tenant with their own private toilet, kitchen and meeting room as opposed to shared facilities. For this reason, it’s advisable to look for up to 100 square feet per person. Again this is a guideline and each company will have its own layout/preference.
As more businesses move away from the traditional office model, there is an increasing demand for shared amenities and the serviced office model. Flexible terms with additional shared facilities such as break-out lounges, cafés, roof terrace and a games room are high on the agenda today.
To meet this demand, some serviced office providers are starting to rethink their square footage allocations. By making room for more shared amenities, they can offer their tenants a more diverse range of services and facilities. In turn, this helps to attract and retain tenants, in addition to being able to demand strong rental rates. As a result, the 50 square-foot people can sometimes become 40 square feet which is still acceptable in the industry. Pricing for office space throughout London and the UK can vary on location in addition to amenities offered.
Changing employee headcounts
For businesses that are constantly growing or downsizing, the amount of space that they need can vary significantly from one year to the next. That’s another plus point for choosing a serviced office for rent.
Things to keep in mind
When considering the size of a serviced office, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- Hybrid work arrangements are becoming more common, so you’ll want to make sure there is enough space for both in-person and remote workers.
- If you’re expanding your business, you’ll need to make sure there is enough room for future growth in the same room or the potential to expand into another office in the building.
- Amenities are important to consider – you’ll want to make sure your team has access to the things they need, like meeting rooms and breakout areas.
- Ultimately, it’s also important to get views from your team before making a decision – they’re the ones who will be using the space on a daily basis, so their input is essential.
With all these factors in mind, you’ll be sure to find the perfect serviced office for your business needs.
If you’re looking for serviced offices in London, we can help. We have a wide range of options to choose from and our team is happy to assist with finding the right space for your needs.
Dennis Relojo-Howell is the managing director of Psychreg.
