Choosing a serviced office size is one of the first decisions a business has to make, and it’s easy to get wrong. Too small and your team feels cramped. Too big and you’re paying for space you don’t use. We’ve been helping businesses find the right serviced office for over 20 years, and more than 130 of them have chosen Leigh House. Here’s what we’ve learned about getting it right.

Start With How Many People Actually Need the Space

When a business tells us they need space for four people, the first thing we do is check whether they really need four desks. Often it turns out to be two or three people in the office on any given day. The right size depends on what your business needs from the office, not just the headcount on your payroll.

Hybrid and flexible working has made this even more relevant. Many teams find they don’t need a desk for everyone every day, and a three-desk office is often a better fit than the four-desk one they first had in mind.

Think About Comfort, Not Just How Many People Fit

How many people can fit in a room and how many can work comfortably in it are two very different questions. We would rather people had room to work, so our offices range from one person up to a maximum of eight.

As an example, our four-desk office is approximately 219 sq ft. That gives each person a proper amount of desk space, comfortable chairs and plenty of light from large windows. Some other providers will sell a room of this size to six or eight people. That means smaller desks, less space to move and an office that quickly becomes uncomfortable.

When you’re comparing offices, ask how many people the room is meant to hold, not just how many could be squeezed in.

Ask Where Your Business Will Be in 12 Months

If you’re stuck between two sizes, the question we always come back to is where you see your business in a year’s time. The smaller office might suit you today, but will it still be enough in 12 months? If the answer is no, and you can afford it, take the bigger option from the outset.

That said, it doesn’t have to be a gamble. Depending on availability, people can move within the building during their licence term if their needs change, so you can start with what you need now and adjust as you grow.

A Real Example: Starting Small and Growing

One HR company started with us in a one-person office. As the business became more established, they added a second member of staff. Eventually they outgrew our space and moved into larger premises of their own.

We see that as a success story. We’re happy to be a springboard for growing businesses, and it’s great to watch a company start small, find its feet and move on to its next step.

Don’t Forget Noise and Privacy

Noise is something people rarely think to ask about until they’re sitting in an office where they can hear their neighbour’s phone calls. Leigh House is a Grade II listed building with thick walls, so you can’t hear the person next door. Other companies have told us that where they were before, the walls were thin and it was a real problem.

When you view any office, think about how much privacy you need for calls and meetings, and whether the building will give you that.

What Else to Consider Beyond the Desks

Most people know what they want from an office, but it’s worth checking the practical details that affect how well a space works day to day:

• Natural light, so you’re looking out of a window rather than at a brick wall
• Windows that open, for fresh air
• Meeting rooms, so you don’t need a bigger office just to host the occasional meeting
• Parking for tenants, staff and visitors
• What’s included in the price, such as furniture, broadband and utilities

At Leigh House, every office comes fully furnished with broadband and all utilities included. There are two on-site meeting rooms, a manned reception and plenty of free on-site parking. If you need anything extra, we’ll help where we can.

Be Honest About Budget, but Look at the Whole Picture

We’re not going to pretend we’re the cheapest option, and we’re not trying to be. If cheap is your only priority, you can certainly find cheap. But Leigh House is a small, independent building with just 14 offices, set in Pudsey, centrally placed between Leeds and Bradford. When everything is included in one price, with no extra bills to worry about, we think it’s a very easy decision.

Choosing a tighter room to save money often costs you in comfort and productivity. Think about what you’re actually getting for the price, not just the number at the top.

Flexibility Makes the Decision Easier

You don’t have to commit to a long lease. Our agreements are licences, so you can sign for anywhere from 3 to 24 months. That’s much more flexible than a traditional lease, and it takes some of the pressure off getting the size exactly right. If you want to grow, there’s room to move.

Our Advice: View It and Judge for Yourself

If you take one thing from this post, let it be this: think about how you want your business to progress and grow, then choose the space that supports that. Don’t just count heads, and don’t pick the cheapest room that technically fits everyone.

The best way to know is to come and see for yourself. View Leigh House, sit in the offices, see the light and notice the quiet, then judge what we can offer. There’s no pushy sales approach here. We just want you to be happy and content in the space we provide.

Get in touch with us to ask about availability or arrange a viewing.