Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Short-Term Office

Chris Tambone | 19 December, 2023 | Est. reading time: 5 minutes
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Navigate the dynamic world of workspace solutions with confidence using our comprehensive Short-Term Office Guide.
During office renovations or as a startup without a fully furnished space, opting for a short-term office suits temporary needs. These offices provide flexibility for businesses, allowing them to navigate the dynamic and demanding environment of today's workforce.

However, choosing one can be a hassle. To assist you, we've crafted an expert guide below that answers “what is short-term office”, discusses its purpose, and the essential factors to consider when seeking one.

What is Short-Term Office?

A short-term workspace is a flexible workspace option for immediate or temporary requirements. These spaces can be rented or leased, furnished or unfurnished. Their key feature is the absence of long-term commitments, typically available for durations spanning from days to weeks, or a few months.

Businesses utilise a short-term office for various reasons. It might be due to office renovations that force businesses to look for a temporary space to continue operations. Startups might opt for temporary spaces while their permanent office is under construction. Furthermore, companies relocating from another area may also seek a temporary physical workspace.

Is a Short-Term Office Similar to a Coworking Space?

A coworking space can function as a short-term space. For instance, when a tenant rents the workspace for a one-month contract, a coworking office acts as a short-term workspace. However, if the lease extends to around five years, it's no longer categorised as a short-term space.

It is also important to note that coworking spaces and short-term offices share similarities. Both provide short-term leases, making them affordable office solutions. Additionally, they offer flexibility, allowing businesses to scale up or down as needed easily.

However, there are still many differences to consider. Short-term offices may not always be rented and fully furnished; you can also receive a leased space that requires you to create the workspace from scratch. Short-term offices also typically lack vibrant communities that foster collaborative and networking opportunities.

Factors to Consider in Choosing a Short-Term Office

When choosing a temporary office space for your business, it is important to consider more than one factors. These factors typically include workspace cost, location, offerings, and flexibility. Let’s tackle all of these factors below!

Workspace Cost

A short-term office significantly reduces the overall workspace expenses. However, businesses on a very tight budget often struggle to find one that meets their needs. Some opt to sacrifice space quality and services to fit their budget.

To avoid such compromises, it's essential to outline your business needs and carefully evaluate them for both short and long-term viability. Avoid settling for a low-quality workspace, as it can become more expensive over time due to accumulated costs. 

Additionally, consider opting for ready-to-use short-term offices, such as coworking spaces, as they can minimise upfront costs. Coworking spaces offer a prestigious business address, top-notch amenities and services, exclusive perks, and more – all within a single pricing structure! The long-term advantages of these spaces might even encourage you to make them your permanent workspace!

Location

Your chosen location for your short-term office will positively impact costs, convenience, and credibility. Choosing a bustling business district can elevate your brand's image and accessibility. These are some attractive factors for clients and potential partners. 

Furthermore, opting for a central location offers convenience, particularly for your employees. Central locations are often close to transportation links, facilitating easy commuting. Additionally, being in a centralised area means having malls, eateries, coffee shops, and other essential establishments nearby.

Keep in mind that a less favourable location might negatively impact your business image. A poor location might also lead to higher costs for marketing efforts to compensate for lack of visibility, potentially affecting overall business growth.

Offerings

Amenities have a positive impact on employees’ work productivity. Hence, you must carefully assess the included amenities and services of the workspace before finally renting it. You must ensure that it includes everything you can use to streamline your business operations. 

A temporary office space in a shared environment typically includes the following amenities:

  • Furniture (such as desks and chairs)
  • Fast-speed internet
  • Communal spaces
  • Meeting rooms
  • Shared kitchen
  • Security system

Keep in mind that amenities might vary depending on the type of workspace. Opting for a private short-term office may grant access to more exclusive benefits.

Furthermore, amenities and business support services are typically not included if you choose a conventional temporary office. In this case, you would be responsible for arranging these within your workspace. 

Therefore, selecting a fully furnished coworking space is a savvy choice if you seek a short-term office space with a comprehensive range of essential amenities.

Flexibility

Unpredictable changes in workspace needs may arise unexpectedly. Therefore, it's essential to prioritise the flexibility offered by a short-term office space. This flexibility allows seamless workspace size or duration adjustments, facilitating expansion and downsizing without complications.

Furthermore, consider whether the workspace's flexibility extends to its accessibility, particularly regarding 24/7 access. All-day access proves beneficial for individuals seeking flexible working hours. This accessibility fosters increased employee productivity and job satisfaction, maximising the potential for a more efficient and content workforce.

If you’re looking for short-term office spaces for rent in the UK, Office Hub is here to find the perfect one for your needs!

Get Your Office Space Today!

When looking for a short-term office for your temporary needs, it is important to consider the location, amenities, flexibility, and budget. These factors will help you better understand your needs, leading to an informed decision.

However, relying solely on short-term offices warrants reevaluation when considering long-term prospects. Renting multiple short-term offices isn’t advisable. It is much easier to rent one permanent office space instead. This can allow you to avoid higher office costs over time.

Your workers deserve the best, so why would you settle for less? To avoid dips in productivity, consider exploring alternative flexible office spaces that offer long-term advantages at affordable rates. 

Office Hub, the world's leading provider of flexible office spaces, is here to simplify your search for the ideal workspace. Office Hub can match your business needs and goals with the perfect workspace. Get in touch with us today to begin the process!

Let us guide you

We know the search process for a new workspace can be overwhelming, that’s why our team are here to help through every step of the way.