If your budget can now stretch to a serviced office, it’s best to know what to look for before you start.
Whether you’re an established business or a startup just making its way, serviced offices are often the best option. They allow you to remain flexible while working on short-term contracts and any added maintenance is already taken care of so you can focus on what you do best.
The serviced office industry is a competitive market, though, especially in major cities like London, so here’s what you need to look out for.
The Best Business Services
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One of the major advantages of choosing serviced offices is the business support services that many can offer. Whether this is in the form of pay-per-access business lounges, which are perfect for scheduling important meetings with clients, or included services like high-speed internet and personalised telephone services, this should be one of your main considerations.
Remember, it’s not uncommon for even small startups to start receiving more messages than they can handle. With a professional secretary, remote or in-house, you’ll save valuable time by having your calls screened so that you only have to deal with the important messages.
Location, Location, Location
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When searching for the right office, location should be another key criteria. Many serviced offices are located in prestigious London addresses, many of which would ordinarily be out of the price of small businesses.
Whatever industry you work in, whether it’s finance, banking, publishing, or law, you’ll find that there are several business centre hubs with great connections.
Being right in the heart of the city also means you have direct links to some of the capital’s best restaurants and bars. These are great places to take overseas clients to learn about the city or as a place to break in a new group of employees.
Avoiding the Hidden Fees
Finally, when exploring your options, make sure to look out for some of the hidden fees that service providers can include. Truthfully, any company worth working with should have a no hidden cost policy, with all of its services clearly labelled upfront.
Some of them may charge extra for sending faxes, however, and after a few months you may also notice that you’ve been charged for the basic refreshments in the meeting rooms that you always assumed were complimentary.
Make sure to read the terms and conditions of any contract thoroughly before committing to any deal, preferably with a licensed third-party who can advise you on any details you’re not familiar with.
