There are three ways to take office space, and the right one depends on your team size and how confident you are in your 3-year headcount. Coworking and serviced offices cost more per desk but commit you to nothing; a conventional lease is more effort upfront and the cheapest per desk once you are settled.
The three options at a glance
Which suits which team
Coworking (hot/dedicated desks) — Freelancers, 1-10 people, fast-changing
Serviced / managed office — Private space, ~5-40 people, plug-and-play
Conventional lease — Own space, 15+ people, stable headcount
How to choose in one minute
- Fewer than ~15 people, or growing fast and unsure? Coworking or a serviced office - you pay more per desk but commit to nothing and can scale month to month.
- Want a private, branded space but no fit-out hassle? A serviced/managed office gives you your own suite with everything included on a shorter, flexible contract.
- A stable team of 15+ who wants control for years? A conventional lease is the cheapest per desk over time and lets you shape and brand the space.
The cost trade-off
Coworking looks cheap because there is no fit-out and no deposit - but per desk per year it is usually the most expensive option. A conventional lease is the opposite: higher upfront effort and commitment, lowest cost per desk once you are settled. Serviced offices sit in between: a premium over a lease, but far less capital and risk. Match the commitment to how confident you are in your headcount.
