With the seismic shifts taking place in the professional world during the past few years, small and medium-sized businesses, satellite teams, and established enterprises are increasingly looking for flexible office suites for rent.
The right office suite can have a noticeable positive impact on employees and, as a result, business outcomes.
A survey shows that employees notice a significant increase in their productivity, work quality, and skills in offices that are well suited to them. Some even note a boost in creativity.
There are several factors to consider when choosing the right office space for you and your team. In this article, we discuss eight of the most important ones that can help you select the right office suite for rent.
9 Factors to Consider When Seeking an Office Suite for Rent
1. Location
Whether you’re a small- to medium-sized business, a satellite team, or an established organization, location is key when choosing a private office suite for rent.
You may be thinking about factors like convenience and proximity to restaurants for team outings or lunches to impress prospective clients.
But the right location can also give your business access to a skilled talent pool and/or your consumer market, reduce operational roadblocks through proper infrastructure, and—for some businesses—improve supply chain efficiency.
Lastly, the location you choose influences the rent price.
To start with, you may want to think through some of these guiding questions:
- What needs do your employees have when it comes to location?
- Does the location offer proper infrastructure (transportation access, connectivity, convenience)?
- On that note, how important is convenience to you and your team? How much will it impact employee satisfaction and operational downtime?
- What areas or establishments is it important for your office to be close to?
- How important is the noise level in the neighborhood surrounding your private office suite?
2. Price
Different office space providers offer varying price points for office suites. Traditional leases lock you in for three to five years on fixed terms, which may be agreeable if you don’t anticipate that your office space needs will change in that timeframe.
However, many organizations prefer to maintain their operational agility and are weary of signing on for a multi-year lease that can be difficult and expensive to break should their needs change.
If that sounds like you, it’s a wise idea to explore flexible office spaces when you’re seeking office suites for rent.
One of the benefits of choosing a flexible space operator over a traditional office is that they allow flexibility for scaling teams, which is reflected in price. If your team grows, you can upgrade, or if your team downsizes, you can opt for a lower tier at a lower price point.
That being said, determining your initial price point—or a range that considers potential upscale/downscale—can prevent you from wasting time exploring options that are not a fit for you. Doing so can also help narrow options, reducing overwhelm.
You may want to consider these questions:
- At this price point, can you put down a deposit for the initial few months? Note that some office space operators (like Launch Workplaces) offer month-to-month leases, but budgeting for the first two to three months in advance can help prevent unwanted monetary surprises.
- What benefits and amenities are must-haves and nice-to-haves? What price points or tiers include the must-have benefits? What about the nice-to-haves?
- How much does location influence the pricing tier you’re considering?
3. Size
Size is arguably the second most important factor to consider when choosing an office suite.
A too-large space can create a disconnect between employees and feelings of isolation, ultimately reducing employee satisfaction and productivity.
A space that’s too small can leave employees feeling cramped and frustrated because they lack privacy or autonomy when they work.
Start by answering these questions:
- How large is your team currently?
- Do you foresee your team growing within the next six months to a year? What about the next two to three years?
- Will the office suite be able to handle this growth? Does the office space provider allow for flexible workplace scalability?
- Will each employee have at least 75 square feet of space for themselves? This is the absolute minimum, although many companies aim for around 90 to 100 square feet per employee.
- Does the size encompass lounging or communal areas?
Fortunately, many flexible space operators like Launch Workplaces offer different-sized office suites, so you can find the right one for your current needs (with the option to choose a smaller or larger space as your team changes).
4. Infrastructure
Here, infrastructure refers to having a network or system for administrative and logistical capabilities. These capabilities include but are not limited to:
- Postal service
- Wifi
- IT
- Shipping address
- Transportation accessibility
Unlike traditional office spaces, many flexible space operators like Launch Workplaces offer sophisticated infrastructure, which allows you to cut costs while maintaining a polished, professional appearance for clients.
Determine what infrastructure your team needs right now, in addition to the points listed above, and gauge how these needs may evolve within the next year or two. Be sure to ask for these factors when touring office suites.
5. Style
Beyond logistical factors like price and size, considering the design of a space can help employees feel more connected to their work and help improve their well-being.
Each industry has its own style preference. If you work in tech or bigger corporations, perhaps having large windows or an impressive view is something you’re used to. For creative individuals, you may prefer a specific color palette within your office space or a certain aesthetic (i.e.: mid-century modern).
Other factors to consider would be:
- Natural light and direction of windows (south facing, etc.). How much light do you want to get? Having a west-facing window can quickly heat up rooms during the hotter months.
- Spaciousness. 75 square feet per employee is the minimum; what is the maximum (balancing space with connectedness is important)? How spacious would you like lounge areas to be?
- Layout. What would suit your team best: narrow spaces, wider or a unique layout? How does the industry you’re in influence the style?
6. Office Suite Amenities and Features
Conference Facilities
Conference facilities are crucial to factor in when choosing a private office suite to rent for a team.
Conference rooms in flexible office spaces can be used for a variety of purposes, from meetings to training sessions. The right conference rooms create an environment for productive discussions and creative ideation.
You may want to consider:
- The number of conference rooms. Will there be enough rooms for your entire team to use without a shortage of meeting spaces?
- The size of conference rooms. Having different-sized conference rooms ensures you’ll have a meeting space for different purposes (from larger team meetings to one-on-ones with clients).
- The layout of these rooms. Does the style suit your team’s needs?
- Technology capabilities
- Screens for presentations
- HDMI cables
- Plug-in ports located in convenient locations
- Tech and A/V support. Flexible office spaces, like Launch Workplaces, offer on-site support for any technology difficulties. In comparison, traditional office space providers do not offer this type of support.
7. Fast WiFi
Going back to our earlier point on infrastructure, having fast, reliable Wi-Fi is crucial for any business. Faster Wi-Fi reduces the time and money spent on troubleshooting or calling support. It also fuels workplace productivity.
When researching or touring private office suites for rent, inquire about the wifi speed. Consider what an acceptable internet speed would be for you or your team; confirm the speed and reliability of the different office spaces you’re considering leasing.
8. Fitness Centers
Fitness centers are an excellent way for employees to maintain their health and improve their well-being. Most top-talent employees prioritize their well-being, so opting for an office suite with a built-in gym can boost employee satisfaction—happy employees are more productive, creative, and driven to deliver quality work.
Launch Workplaces’ Bethesda, The Navy Yard, and Watergate locations all have dedicated fitness centers while our Townson location offers discounts to local gyms and the Ring Building location offers treadmill desks. The rest of our locations provide wellness seminars to host health and wellness events that boost employee morale and well-being.
9. Office Suites with Launch Workplaces
You’ve considered price, location, layout, infrastructure, and perks like fitness centers that come with private office suites for rent. Launch Workplaces is serious about checking off each of these points. For example, we offer flexible leasing options for our office suites, all of which come with robust infrastructure, unlimited conference room hours, and complimentary coffee.
Our offices are also located in prime areas with stunning views; our locations across Maryland, Cleveland, and Washington include:
- Bethesda
- Gaithersburg
- Rockville
- Towson
- Crocker Park
- Glover Park
- Ring Building
- The Watergate Complex
- The Navy Yard District
Each location is uniquely styled with local culture in mind. We are also dedicated to cultivating community, so we host regular networking events to help you uplevel professionally, as well as yoga sessions and mindfulness seminars for mental health.
Multiple factors must be considered when choosing the right office suite for rent. These factors range from crucial logistics like location, price, and size to style and layout considerations.
If you’re looking for a nicely designed office suite that allows for scalability, offers flexible leasing arrangements, is well-equipped, and is staffed with friendly management who quickly resolves any issues, Launch Workplaces is it.
So, what are you waiting for? Contact us today to book a tour of your local Launch Workplaces to see what we’re all about.
