Are you waiting to move into a new building or refurbish your existing office? Perhaps you just need some additional space for a short amount of time? If so, a temporary office could help to keep your business up and running at full capacity.
Temporary office space is typically rented or leased with flexible contracts and is suitable for a whole host of business sizes and set ups. However, there are several key factors to consider before starting your search, from sharing reception areas to sourcing the right IT infrastructure.
Is a temporary office suitable for you?
There can be many motives for leasing office space temporarily, with the most common reasons being for; companies with an expiring lease elsewhere, taking on extra seasonal staff, mobile sales teams, short-term projects and training purposes.
If you own a small businesses or start-up company, temporary office space can be a smart choice as it also provides you with an opportunity to grow within your financial means before finding a permanent office with longer lease terms.
Whatever your reason is for needing temporary office space, just remember that the key word is â€Âtemporary’ so you will have to work on a long-term solution for your business at the same time.
What temporary office options are available?
When choosing a temporary office space, you must consider that it might not be able to satisfy all your business requirements. But as it’s only a short-term solution, you can make up for any sacrifices on amenities by saving on overhead costs.
There are various options available when it comes to looking for temporary office space to rent, so the first step is to weigh up your options. Depending on availability, you may have to choose between a serviced office, shared office, or co-working scheme.
Serviced offices are private spaces and come fully equipped, shared offices involve renting vacant space in another company’s building, while co-working schemes usually work on a per desk basis and consist of different businesses mixed in together.
What can I expect to get with a temporary office?
With temporary office space, the best aspect is that everything is already set up and prepared for immediate occupancy. The office providers can also offer you facilities and services that you may not able to afford otherwise.
Serviced offices are the number one choice when it comes to temporary office spaces as they are fully-equipped with fixtures, furniture and IT equipment, including broadband and telephone lines, and can sometimes offer support staff, communal areas, onsite security and call handling services.
It’s down to you to assess which amenities are essential to your business structure and find a suitable office space that provides as many of them as possible. For example, it might be important to have your own breakout room or reception area, but this is not always available in a serviced office.
Another benefit of temporary office space is the flexible agreements and contracts available. Most temporary office providers will give you an option to sign a three month deal allowing you to be flexible. There is also a high chance that the management company will have enough experience to cater to your specific needs, whatever situation you may throw at them.
There are some downsides to temporary office space though, as you will not have a huge amount of control or choice. This includes how your workspace looks or is decorated and the people you share the building with. Broadband speeds are flexible in most buildings you will come across, however it might mean you have to pay more.
However, if your business is flexible and you are willing to adapt, renting temporary office space could be the ideal solution to a tricky situation.