02 Jan Things To Look For When Renting A Coworking Space
If you’re a freelancer looking to get out of the noisy coffee shop and start renting your own space or if you’re just looking to find a good place to work in a professional environment, you’re definitely going to want to look into renting a coworking space.
What coworking space is right for you, though? What types of things should you look for when you want to rent a work space? These tips will help you decide on what type of work space you want to rent.
1. Location, location, location
Location is key to renting a coworking space.
Is it close by? Is it easy to get to? Is there parking at the building or do you have to park in the mall across the street? Are there a banks, coffee shops, or gyms nearby so you don’t have to go too far to run errands or take a break?
Having those things is incredibly important when you rent coworking space, even just short term.
North Houston Executive Suites have coworking spaces for rent with free on-site parking and is located at the intersection of two major highways, with many amenities close by, including banks, restaurants, a movie theater, and several gym options. There is even a park just down the road you can walk around and just enjoy nature if the office gets to be too much for you.
2. Wonderful Work Atmosphere
Working in a coffee shop or at home have their own distractions, whether it’s the group of friends talking loudly at the table next to you or your friends or partner popping in on you when you’re in the middle of a big project.
Renting a coworking space isn’t always perfect either. You definitely want to be sure that the environment is going to help you focus and not add to your distractions.
To quote Entreprenuer, “A good work culture not only helps retain organization’s human resource, it also helps attract new talent”. And that goes for coworking spaces as well, as the feel of the coworking space can attract or repel other members.
Some may be too noisy or some too sterile, but the atmosphere of the coworking space is key, as you’re going to be spending a lot of time there. It would be wise to check out a few locations and speak to people currently working there to see which atmosphere will work best for you.
North Houston Executive Suites have a professional vibe with different types of seating arrangements to help you choose the way that you can be the most productive. Large offices to small offices, interior or exterior, shared or private. You can choose whatever situation fits your work style best.
North Houston Executive Suites are the way to go if you’re looking for a coworking space to rent.
3. Free Office Features When Renting a Coworking Space
What amenities are you getting from the coworking space? Outside of a desk and an internet connection, the difference between many work spaces is the extras that they provide.
Houston’s NH Suites coworking rentals have many services included, such as phone services, mail and package handling, reception services, parking, a break room with gourmet coffee, conference rooms to rent and more.
It is important to pay attention to these small details as they may make the difference in your productivity or even a good impression with a client if you’re interested in the conference rooms.
4. Community
Adding to the work atmosphere is the actual community of people in the building.
Are the people outgoing or more to themselves? Are you (or they) looking to exchange ideas with other people in different fields or put your head to the grindstone and get things done yourself? Do you want to go to a silent break room or a talkative one?
It’s important to visit the coworking space to get an idea of how things go down on the ground before you get your cowork space to rent.
5. Can’t Work in an Office Without Fast internet…
This one goes without saying. Internet is indispensable in today’s working world. But, once again, ask the people currently working there how fast the internet really is.
Coworking spaces could brag about a high rate, but really only give those high speeds to VIP clients or only some floors of the building.
6. Noise level
Working in an environment that is conducive to work is absolutely key to getting things done. For some people having the right amount of background buzz can be incredibly helpful and people can get work done better in such environments. However, most professional situations require a low level of noise to get things done.
7. When are they open?
One of the reasons people are moving away from the traditional office model is because of the lack of flexibility during the work day. Not everybody is comfortable working from 9 to 5. Coworking spaces have adapted to this hole in the market and provide flexible hours.
North Houston Executive Suites are open 24/7, so whether you’re a night owl or an early bird you can adapt your hours to the office instead of vice versa.
8. Security
You want to feel confident that the space you have rented remains safe as you may leave important documents or work at your desk or in the space.
Is it too easy to get into the building? Do the people who work at the desk seem like they know who’s a member and who isn’t?
9. Cost
Cost is key. Weighing the benefits of cost goes along with the amenities that you are paying for in addition to just the space that you are paying for.
Finding a coworking space to rent that has all the extras that you want at the right price can make or break your decision.
If there are some services that you think you don’t need and could shave off a few dollars a month (depending on whether your rental is short-term or long-term), it might be better to skip the gym option in favor of something more basic.
10. Conference rooms or extra spaces for use
Have an important meeting with people from outside your core work group? Business can’t always be conducted over a desk and you may need some privacy that isn’t the potentially awkward informality of your home.
If you need to meet with people a conference room is a must, as they lend a professional feel to your start-up.
Some conference rooms are available by appointment for an extra stipend per month. Talk with people currently working there to learn how easy it is to book a conference room (if bookings are needed), if conference rooms are typically full, how much they cost (if there is a cost), etc.
11. Professional feel
If you have a meeting with somebody from outside or you’re just trying to get somebody on board with your projects, rickety plastic tables and chairs taken from high school classrooms don’t exactly inspire confidence and distinction.
If you want to not only benefit from the practical aspects of coworking spaces, but also keep the professional atmosphere of a traditional office, it’s important to find the right balance.
12. Shared rooms
Is there a break room that you can go to when you need a cup of coffee? Are these rooms maintained by the janitorial services and the other people in the coworking space?
The last thing you’ll want on a break is to spend most of it wading through other people’s coffee mugs and tupperware to find a clean one to use. It is important to ask yourself as well if you will fit into the break room atmosphere. Make sure that the level of cleanliness is one that you can uphold as well to become a working part of the shared space.
What is important when renting a coworking space?
When looking for a coworking space to rent, there are many things to consider. What you need may be different than your coworkers.
This list will help you take different things into consideration and discover what rental space is right for you. After all is said and done, you are going to be spending a lot of time in this place.
If it’s going to be your second home and you want it to feel comfortable, make sure to go down your list of requirements and it should fulfill most if not all of them. When all is said and done, you’ll know when you get to the right one.
Check out our coworking packages or send us an email to learn more about North Houston Executive Suites!