Rent prices for small office

[exclusive.virus]

Hi, everyone!
I have a plan to start my business in UK this autumn, so I need an office. I've looked for in Google, but I've got many questions without answers. Today I've spoken with a rental agent and he has told me, what start price for small office (4-5 people) in London sounds like 2k per month. Is it real price?
I'm trying to describe what I'm looking for.
I need small modern clean office in London for 4-5 people, private phone number, internet connection and somebody who can get my post and save it for me when I'm outside UK. Other additionals aren't required (like private cortyard).

 

[Richie N]

Go on www.gumtree.com there are loads of offices on this site.
You are looking at £1400+ per month, depending on the amount of staff, location etc.

Probably best off with a serviced office if you can, as they usually provide the best deals.

 

[AnyaBehan]

As was mentioned in the previous reply - it sounds as though a serviced office might be the best way for you to get started. Your choice of postcode area in London will massively alter the monthly cost so I would suggest keeping quite an open mind on where in London you want to be based.
Within the serviced office market there is a great deal of difference in provider and what they offer. From the big players like Regus who offer a worldwide option (all the offices are set up in a very similar manner whatever country you are in) to MWB who are slightly more boutique looking (no corporate branding etc) there is plenty of variety. There are a large number of independents that will offer great deals to compete against the big players and more often than not can be more flexible in their costings. Whilst your rates, service charges and utility costs will all be included in your monthly rent do be aware of connection charges - most providers charge at least 1 months charge for the initial telephony and IT connection. IT and telecoms can be very expensive in serviced offices (upto £99 a month per desk for an IT line and telephone handset) so it may be worth negotiating to bring in your own lines. Meeting rooms are usually available in serviced offices so if you dont need one all the time it might be an option to take a smaller office and book them as and when. Another option would be to ask your sales person to consider writing in an set number of hours you can use a meeting room per month into your agreement at a reduced cost (or even free ;o)!!)
Do be aware of renewal terms - the majority of providers say you must provide them with 90 days notice and if you need to leave and miss the cancellation date you could be stuck there at a hugely increased rate (it can go straight to rack rate) for another 3 months. I have known sales people suggest their clients serve notice when they sign the initial agreement if there is a chance that they will be out of the office for long periods of time or so busy they may forget!!
Most serviced offices will offer secretarial services so as you get started this may be a good way to keep costs down initially until you need to employ a PA full time.
Companies such as Regus, MWB and Clarendon offer their clients use of business lounges in other centres that they have either globally or in the UK. This can be really useful as a location to meet clients, interviews etc as most of the centres are in key business locations and the environment is far more conducive to a business meeting than a hotel lobby or service station!!!

Last but not least I would recommend using a broker. You don't pay them anything as they get commission from the provider but get them to do all the leg work and insist they do not put your phone number on the enquiry as you will get bombarded with calls from hungry sales people wanting to sell you their office space!!

Hope this is useful and if I can be of any further help then please PM me
Regards
Anya

 

[Alison Tepal]

We used a serviced office broker to find our London office space. As Anya said the price varies dramatically depending on the location and the building.

We were told the same as you though - as a ball park figure £2k for a 4-5 person office in the West End which is between £400-£500 per person.

We paid nearer the £350 a month mark as our broker told us which providers were running special offers etc.

As long as you are flexible on location there are deals out there and be sure to ask whether the price is all inclusive or if phones & internet are on top.

I would reccomend using both the agent we used as well as the space we ended up taking - their website is www.completeofficesearch.com

Good Luck

P.s If you want to know anything else just ask

 

[exclusive.virus]

Thanks to all. I have spoken with Regus and seems it is best way now for me. They have very flexible services. I plan to start my business with a virtual office now and rent any office space in few months after start up. By the way, thaks to all for reply, your information are very useful.

 

[BDR_London]

Although regus is well known and offer world wide locations I have heard they are expensive and 9 out of 10 times don't return your deposit. I have not used them myself because of what I have heard so be careful.

 

[link 2 law]

MWB Business Exchange are good. Also they are willing to negotiate rates and have a good selection of offices available at various locations.

 

[simon42]

Dealing with an agent is the best option I think as they have access a lot of different office locations from many different office providers.

Just let them know your budget or requirements and they will help you find an appropriate office space solution that suits you.

Try this website:

nicheoffices.com

They helped me out quite a bit.

Hope this helps!

Simon

 

[exclusive.virus]

What price is real for virtual office in London with a possibility to rent a real office space in same address? For example Regus offers it by 250-300ppm.

 

[link 2 law]

What part of London are you intrested in having the virtual office?

 

[truesilver]

Just a quick note. Regus are highly overpriced. The best companies (who often give fantastic service) are your companies who rent per sq ft. There are loads of them - depending on where you are looking to set up.

I hope it goes well. Sounds like you know what you're doing.

L

 

[Commercial Aspect]

Hi there,

We may be able to help.

We are an office finding agent specialising in small businesses and start-ups.

We offer a free service to you as we are retained by the landlord. We are totally independent however and work with your best interests in mind as we want to build a long-term relationship hoping to be involved in your future office moves as your company grows.

we'd be happy to advise you on all your options, any current deals that are around currently and help you with the entire process.

If you would like to have a chat on phone or email, r meet for a coffee just get in touch on the details below.

Thanks,
Chris Rowland-Smith
Commercial Aspect.
07528885043

 

[markel]

Will clients be visiting your offices? Do they need to be a certain spec?

I only ask as I was in the same boat, looking for office space in Essex. I came across some council run offices which worked out at £260 pcm which included all business rates, electric and heating. Although this office was small (2-4 people) they did have larger space at slightly more.
The offices were in a converted industrial unit so not the most eye catching on the outside but great inside.

If you're a start up this is a great way to get offices quickly and cheaply until you have the funds to move into more plush accommodation.

Good luck with your new venture!


Mark​

 

[Omid]

If you looking for find office space in central London I will advise you to
use searchofficespace which called SOS.
Try this number: 02034687797 or call free number:0800 5244 733

 

[jshgardiner]

You might also want to check other sites. For example, this one is listing London meeting rooms, but maybe they list office spaces for rent too. You probably know that, but don't go with the first opportunity you have, because you might find other places for cheaper price.

 

[Stef27]

Hi exclusive.virus (what an ominous alias you have there )

As you can see from the thread, you have multiple options here with pro's and con's to each of the options.

My advice to you is to go for a serviced office if you are starting out, as this will save you startup costs such as getting telephones, broadband and reception (or hiring a receptonist).
If you do go servied office, I would recommend going through a broker, and ensure you get the overall costs with all the extras included.
Often you will be told the office costs X, but with the extras at the end of the month it costs Y, which makes it difficult to budget.
The serviced office option should be taken if you are looking at something for 3 to 12 months. If you're looking for something longer than that, conventional office space is the way to go, but generally you'll be tied into a contract.

If you don't need a physical office, you can go for a virtual office, and always hire out a meeting room if you are going to have a meeting with clients or with staff if necessary. Virtual offices are by far the cheapest.

So, the next question you will need to answer is where you would want to set up your first office.
Setting up serviced offices in Mayfair will cost you in the region of £500 to £600 per desk, but setting up office space in Wimbledon will cost you around £200 per month per desk.

What areas are you looking at currently?

 

[oldmanriver]

Hi, everyone!
I have a plan to start my business in UK this autumn, so I need an office. I've looked for in Google, but I've got many questions without answers. Today I've spoken with a rental agent and he has told me, what start price for small office (4-5 people) in London sounds like 2k per month. Is it real price?
I'm trying to describe what I'm looking for.
I need small modern clean office in London for 4-5 people, private phone number, internet connection and somebody who can get my post and save it for me when I'm outside UK. Other additionals aren't required (like private cortyard).

Not sure what part of London you need to be in but have you considered something like this that is owned and run by a friend of mine. £375 for a large desk space and a car park space for a month. There is fast Wi Fi, you can use the place as your business address, a kitchen etc

http://www.batterseadeskspace.co.uk/index.htm

Right next to Battersea Power Station.

 

[lari]

Can anyone name a few (cheaper) alternatives to regus?

 

[smeone]

There are lots of independants like my company, who dont charge the earth and sting you with hidden extras. You should be able to get prices from £250 to £300 per work station per month quite easily outside of central London.