A Guide to Private Offices
The tumultuous nature of global events over the last five years has undoubtedly seen a shift in attitudes towards working environments. The so-called ‘death of the office’ during 2020’s pandemic saw a considerable proportion of office-based employees work from home for extended periods of time.
Many speculated that this would put into action a seismic long-term shift towards remote working and that office-based roles would no longer be wanted.
While it is true that a larger number of people than ever are working from home, there is still a burgeoning office-based work environment, especially as the unprecedented happenings of the past half decade disappear over the horizon behind us.
In fact, many companies are now making the most of the fantastic availability and affordability of private office spaces in London and various other locations before the market becomes too saturated once more.
What Is a Private Office?
Simply put, a private office is a space rented to businesses for exclusive use. The office is usually located within a building shared with other companies. However, unlike open alternatives, private offices offer privacy and the ability to have more control over the use of the space.
What Facilities Can Private Offices Supply?
The facilities available in private offices can vary depending on the type of office you select (we will discuss this later!). At their most basic, private offices will supply you with an unfurnished space where you can set up everything you need for comfortable working environment.
However, a premium serviced office may offer a fully furnished space with cleaning and maintenance services provided, and the use of other on-site facilities such as a gym, café, and meeting rooms.
If in a shared building, your office may have access to communal areas where you can meet clients, take calls, or even socialise.
The Benefits of Private Offices
There are a wealth of benefits to renting a private office for your company. As previously mentioned, the most positive aspect is the fact that the space is completely private.
This not only allows for a quieter environment in which to work, but also means you can hold conversations with colleagues or clients that need to remain confidential.
A private office also allows you to use the space at your discretion. Whether you want to alter the desk positioning, or create an exclusive space for meetings, the private office is yours to reshuffle as needed.
Serviced Office vs Standard Office
Before committing to a private office rental, it is important to consider whether the space is a serviced or standard office and what those two options even mean.
A serviced office rental essentially means that you could be moving into an already furnished space. Cleaning and maintenance services will likely be included within the rental agreement.
Other benefits such as electricity, broadband, reception services and more will probably be included as part of the rental costs. A standard office is simply an unfurnished space with few of the additional benefits of a serviced office included in the rental costs.
This option may be more suitable for a company with a long-term plan to remain in the location whilst they grow, or who want more control over the cost of their utilities and other office related services.
How Much Do Private Offices Cost?
The monthly rental cost of a private office can vary significantly, depending on a number of factors. Firstly, the location of the space will have a large impact on the rent. Central London locations will demand considerably more investment than an office in London Fields for example.
Another factor will be the size of your team. Spaces which only require the capacity for four will be considerably cheaper than an office needing to accommodate 15.
The Lambert Smith Hampton Total Office Cost survey in 2021 determined that on average, a private office space in London cost around £1,000 per employee, per calendar month.
Private Offices in London
If you are looking for an office to rent in Central London or the general London area, there is no better place to search than on Spacepool. With over 1700 rental office listings in the capital alone, their website allows users to filter to their exact requirements, from location to office type.
This ensures that you can find the perfect private office to grow your business.