As society is becoming more and more familiar and used to flexible working, particularly, hybrid working models, the office workspace has also evolved and adapted to suit the current climate. In particular, since many employees are working from home, the need for a traditional office space is becoming more futile in favour of home offices, and of course, serviced office spaces.
However, what exactly are the differences between a serviced office and a traditional office space? In this blog, we will cover all you need to know, so keep reading!
Serviced office
Serviced offices existed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is safe to say that their popularity has skyrocketed since the pandemic. Within a serviced office space, you can expect a primarily open-plan environment that allows several unrelated companies or individuals and/or freelancers to work in the same office side by side.
For instance, serviced offices in Mayfair are co-working spaces that are regularly maintained and cleaned for co-working use. You may also find additional amenities or facilities included in a serviced office such as a small kitchen, communal area for socialising, meeting rooms, and even showers or bicycle storage.
You typically have the option of renting either a desk or the space itself of which leases are usually short-term, but some providers do offer long-term contracts. Of the former, these are often on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.
Traditional office
Meanwhile, traditional office spaces are relatively similar to one another and only have one company working within that space. When renting or leasing a traditional office space, this may be annually, thus not providing the same flexibility as a serviced office.
Maintenance and keeping the space clean and tidy is reliant on the business hiring their own cleaners which in turn could suggest that traditional offices are more expensive in the long-run regarding operational costs. The price you pay when renting a serviced office already includes the service charges and utilities.
On the contrary, traditional office spaces are excellent for businesses who want complete control over their brand identity and the culture of their workspaces as this is not possible in a serviced office setting.
Serviced office vs Traditional office
The market for serviced and co-working office spaces is set to expand exponentially, especially in terms of the number of people working in such spaces around the world. In fact, statistics show that this number is projected to double between 2021 and 2024 to 5 million people.
As you can see, the popularity of serviced offices does not appear to be wavering anytime soon. Serviced offices offer a wide range of benefits for businesses and individuals alike compared to traditional offices.
On the other hand, conventional office spaces can also be beneficial for established businesses who are able to commit to longer-term contracts. However, in an age where hybrid working is becoming the norm, the question remains of whether traditional offices are now becoming obsolete.
Particularly, serviced offices and their modern design and facilities help to cultivate an environment where collaboration and productivity can thrive better than in a traditional office space.
