In the last year over 60% of those enquiring to our sales team had failed to estimate the right amount of space they would require for their business. It was only when they consulted with an expert that they realised the potentially expensive mistake they were about to make.
The way that we all work has evolved radically in recent years and the amount of space a business needs for all its employees has changed accordingly. The types of spaces available are now very different…
So, do you know how much space you need?
It’s hard enough to picture what one square foot or metre looks like, let alone 100, 1,000 or 10,000 square feet / metres. So we have created this handy infographic to help you visualise the amount of space that you need.
*Space allocation based on UK serviced office industry average.
Flexible office space providers will allocate roughly 40 – 60 sq. ft. (3.5 – 5.5m²) per person for office space. In addition to this, tenants will also have access to breakout areas, shared meeting rooms, kitchen facilities or outside spaces etc.
While this is a good starting point to work out your size requirements, they will vary wildly depending on your industry, your staff requirements and the style of office space that you want to work in.
5 things you should consider when allocating space
- Are you a vibrant start-up tech company looking for a funky co-working loft space? Then you might be looking at open-plan, hot-desking options and need less space per person, as larger fixed desk space would be a waste of space, and therefore money.
- Established law firm? You’re probably more likely to need a number of private office spaces and will be looking towards the upper end of the range of space per person.
- Plans to grow rapidly? One of the main advantages of flexible office space is the ability to expand the size of space you require quickly and easily. However, if you know that you are likely to grow rapidly, then check that the office provider can accommodate your changing needs.
- Not everyone needs the same amount of space. While your marketing team might be happy to co-work and collaborate in an open space with lots of desks, your CEO might well prefer to have a larger and more private setting to work from. While an average per person, per sq. ft. is a good starting point, you know the needs of your staff better than anyone.
- Factor in other types of space requirements; will you need a large formal conference room? Make sure the office space provider can provide one. Are informal meetings more your companies style? Are there on-site café facilities available? The more we work away from our desks, the more common spaces need to be taken into account.
Some will favour larger shared open spaces, while others will have more of a focus on private offices of varying size. But by choosing flexible workspace, you can find the right office that fits your company’s needs.
Please get in touch so one of our expert consultants can guide you through the choices available for your business today.