All You Need to Know about Serviced Offices

Dubai is one of the most popular business destinations in the world. The city has a lot to offer for businesses, including a favourable tax regime, an excellent infrastructure, and a cosmopolitan workforce. Many serviced offices in Dubai can help you get your business up and running quickly and efficiently. These offices provide you with a complete package of services that includes office space, furniture, IT support, and secretarial services.

A serviced office is a type of workspace that is fully furnished and equipped with the necessary amenities, such as meeting rooms and reception services. These offices are typically leased on a short-term basis, and they offer a flexible and cost-effective solution for businesses that need a temporary or permanent space in Dubai.

Why choose a serviced office in Dubai?

Businesses opt for serviced offices in Dubai for several reasons:

1. Flexibility: Serviced offices offer a flexible and cost-effective solution for businesses that need a temporary or permanent space in Dubai.
2. Convenience: Serviced offices are fully furnished and equipped with the necessary amenities, such as meeting rooms and reception services. This makes them a convenient option for businesses that do not have the time or resources to set up their own office space.
3. Cost-effectiveness: Serviced offices are often more cost-effective than traditional office space, as they include a range of value-added services such as furniture, IT support, and secretarial services.
4. Location: Dubai is an ideal location for businesses looking to expand into the middle-east. A premium location, however, comes at a premium price. Serviced offices in Dubai offer businesses a prime location without the high costs associated with traditional office space.
5. Easy expansion and retraction facility: Serviced offices offer businesses the ability to easily expand or contract their space as their business needs change. This flexibility is not always available with traditional office space.

What to look for in a serviced office in Dubai?

When choosing a serviced office in Dubai, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Location: One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a serviced office is its location. The office should be situated in a prime location that is easily accessible to your target market. Your location is also key to your business reputation.

OBK Business Centre, for example, is on Sheikh Zayed Road and is easily accessible from Business Bay, Emaar Square, Dubai Marina and other prime locations of the city. A prime location will give your business a good reputation, while a less-than-desirable location could damage your business image.

• Size: The size of the serviced office should be appropriate for your business needs. If you are expecting to grow your business in the near future, it is important to choose an office that can accommodate your future growth.

Negotiate the lease cancellation terms beforehand. Also, discuss the scenarios where you might want less or more space so that the terms can be amended as per your requirements.

• Type of serviced office: You might want to lease or rent a private office, a day office, or a co-working space. The type of serviced office you choose will depend on your business needs and budget.

If you are a start-up or a small business, a co-working space might be a good option as it is usually more cost-effective than private offices. But if you are looking for a more professional environment, a private office would be a better option.

A day office means that you only have access to the office for a certain number of hours per day. You can consider day offices if you only need office space for a few hours a week or if you are looking for temporary office space.

• Check what comes with the office space: A tour of the office space is a must before you sign the lease agreement. The office should be fully furnished and equipped with the necessary amenities, such as meeting rooms and reception services. The tour will also give you an opportunity to see if the office space is well-maintained and clean. This is important as it will reflect on your business image.

You should check whether all the equipment and furniture are in good condition and if they meet your business needs. If something breaks or needs repair, who will bear the cost of fixing it? Be sure to clarify these points before you sign the lease agreement.

Some serviced office providers offer you a dedicated reception desk. In Dubai, you might want the dedicated crew to be fluent in Arabic along with other languages.

You might also want to discuss if the space is customizable to match your brand identity.

• Study the terms of the lease carefully and check for any hidden costs: Serviced offices are typically leased on a short-term basis. It is important to study the terms of the lease carefully and check for any hidden costs, such as maintenance fees or utilities.

Some common pitfalls in a serviced office lease agreement are:

• Lack of clarity on the length of the lease agreement
• Automatic renewal clause without the tenant’s knowledge or consent
• Hidden costs such as maintenance fees, utilities, etc.

Make sure that you are aware of all the terms and conditions of the lease agreement before signing it.

The bottom line

Serviced offices in Dubai offer businesses a prime location, flexible terms, and a range of value-added services. When choosing a serviced office, keep in mind the location, size, type of office, and what is included in the lease agreement. And be sure to take a tour of the office space before you sign the lease agreement.