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Our Service | IT issues | Costs | Rating System | General

Our Service

1. How comprehensive is the Instant Offices' database?
2. Do you give preferential listings to some operators?
3. Who pays for the service?
4. How do we know what's available?
5. How often is it updated?
6. What's email availability alerts?
7. Can you provide guidance on the advantages/disadvantages of different buildings/locations?

1. How comprehensive is the Instant Offices' database?

The database is comprehensive throughout the UK, USA, France and Australia with almost all the serviced offices listed; this includes everything from the operators at the top of the market to the economical options at the bottom. Coverage in Asia, Africa and the remainder of Europe is currently comprehensive in all key commercial cities only.

2. Do you give preferential listings to some operators?

No, the buildings are listed by availability with the centres with the most space available listed first. You can list the results in a different order if you require.

3. Who pays for the service?

The operators (Landlords) pay Instant Offices a commission for the introduction of new business. You can ask us for as much advice as possible, as our service is free.

4. How do I know what's available?

The table shows the total number of workstations in the building together with the total number of workstations available today. The number available today is divided up into several different rooms.

5. How often is it updated?

The availability is updated at least once a week.

6. What's e-mail availability alerts?

If you find a building that is suitable but has no availability shown we will send you e-mail alerts when suitable space becomes available. When you've found your new office and no longer wish to receive any further information it is easy to unsubscribe.

7. Can you provide guidance on the advantages/disadvantages of different buildings / locations?

Yes, there are several surveyors and ex Business Centre Managers at Instant Offices who can provide advice on the advantages/disadvantages of different areas. To discuss your requirement please call the that appears at the bottom of the site.

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IT Issues

1. What is an EI/T1/Lease line?
2. Will the Business Centre provide PC's?
3. Do we need to network our PC's?
4. What is videoconferencing?

1. What is an EI/T1/Lease line?

E1/T1/Lease lines are essentially all the same and provide broadband Internet access. It is a permanent connection to your server and provides very fast downloads/uploads of data from/to the Internet. An increasing number of Business Centres provide this level of connectivity however you will generally be charged for using it.

2. Will the Business Centre provide PC's?

Most centres will provide IT equipment if required; however it is likely to be prohibitively expensive.

3. Do we need to network our PC's?

No, most of the more expensive centres offer a secure LAN (Local Area Network) to every office through Category 5 cabling. Most centres provide at least one port per workstation included in the total monthly charge.

4. What is videoconferencing?

Videoconferencing enables you to have a "virtual meeting" with people in other locations worldwide through either television or computer.

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Costs

1. What does the cost guide mean?
2. Why are some operators so much more expensive?
3. Are the quoted prices negotiable?
4. What other costs are there?
5. Do we need to provide a large rental deposit?
6. Are telephone calls charged at a premium?
7. Are they more expensive than a conventional lease?

1. What does the cost guide mean?

This is the indicative cost per person per month for a fully equipped office. It includes rent, business rates, service charges, electricity, heating, furniture, building's insurance, telephone handset, telephone system and generally telephone answering, telephone line rental and meeting room hire.

2. Why are some operators so much more expensive?

The difference in cost is reflective of the location, standard of offices and level of service. The most expensive operators are comparable to a four star hotel whereas the cheapest operators are comparable to a one star hotel.

3. Are the quoted prices negotiable?

Yes. The prices quoted are always negotiable, however, in a strong market where there is little space available, it is more difficult to receive any discounts.

4. What other costs are there?

You will need to pay for your telephone calls and Internet access together with secretarial services and meeting rooms as and when you use them.

5. Do I need to provide a large rental deposit?

No. Unlike conventional leases, you will only need to provide a deposit of between 1 and 2 months rent. This is the same for any company whether it's a blue chip or a start-up.

6: Are telephone calls charged at a premium?

Most operators charge "standard" national carrier rates. The operators have negotiated preferential rates with other telecommunication carriers but often do not pass on any savings to their customers. Some operators charge a premium above national carrier rates. It is wise to make your own inquiries with each operator.

7. Are they more expensive than a conventional lease?

It depends on how many people you need to accommodate; how long you need the office for; and, how quickly you need to take possession. It is difficult to analyse the exact cost unless you compare a specific serviced office with a specific conventional lease. Instant Offices have developed a model that enables you to make an accurate comparison. Click here to use the Instant Offices' interactive cost calculator.

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Rating system

No rating - Basic
One star rating - Economical
Two star rating - Standard
Three star rating - Premium

No rating - Basic

The office space offered will be of a very basic standard. A small number of facilities may be offered; however the centre may lack a number of features that are standard within the serviced office industry, such a reception area, furnishings or cleaning.

One star rating - Economical

This classification denotes budget offices with a limited range of services and facilities available. Maintenance, cleanliness, security and comfort should, however, always be of an acceptable standard. One star rated centres may have irregular office layouts with an absence of natural light in some cases. Despite being multi-storey there may be no lift. Fit out and furniture standards are of a basic quality.

Two star rating - Standard

At this level, business centres are usually of a size to support higher staffing levels and offer a greater quality and range of facilities. Offices, reception and meeting rooms are better laid out, fitted and furnished than in one star centres. The level of IT infrastructure is a standard level and bandwidth to allow the average client to conduct his/her business satisfactorily.

Three star rating - Premium

Centres of this category match the best quality international standards of accommodation throughout the reception, meeting room and office areas. Interior design should impress with its quality and attention to detail. Furnishings should be immaculate, services well-supervised, and exceptional in attention to clients needs. Staff should demonstrate a high level of service commitment and be knowledgeable, helpful and well versed in all aspects of customer care and business process, while combining efficiency with courtesy. Air quality and air conditioning are of world class standard. IT infrastructure can complement even the more hi tech of companies, while the telephone systems offer the complete range of products.

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General

1.Who uses serviced offices?
2. What are the benefits of serviced offices?
3. What facilities/services are included?
4. Do they all have meeting rooms?
5. Can you use your own furniture?
6. What is business centre branding?
7. What term I need to commit to?
8. What if I want long-term offices?
9. We need space to grow within the building, is this possible?

1 Who uses serviced offices?

Serviced offices appeal to most companies from small start-ups to large multinationals; however, they can be grouped into the following:

Rapidly growing enterprises
Small Businesses
Foreign companies seeking a UK base
Large organisations that require local representation or a short-term office.

2. What are the benefits of serviced offices?

Serviced offices provide the opportunity of taking immediate possession on flexible terms. Research conducted by the Chartered Institute of Purchase & Supply proves that serviced offices provide substantial cost savings for both small and larger offices over a short period. For a more detailed analysis of the advantages and disadvantages click here

3. What facilities/services are included?

Almost everything. Serviced offices enable you to take an office in a similar way to using a hotel. The following services are included in the cost: telephone systems, switchboard & reception services, Internet access, Cat 5 cabling, secretarial assistance, photocopiers, office equipment including printing/binding facilities, meeting rooms, interview rooms, conference facilities, fully equipped kitchens, cleaning, mail handling, office furniture.

4. Do they all have meeting rooms?

No. The vast majority of serviced offices do include meeting rooms, however some of the cheaper centres may not. If it is important for you to have access to a meeting room please specify this on the property search form.

5. Can you use your own furniture?

The majority of centres is already furnished and would discourage tenants from providing their own furniture.

6. What is business centre branding?

Some business centres offer a discreet environment disguising the fact that there is more than one company in the building, whereas other buildings are heavily branded in the colours of the business centre operator. An extreme example of Business Centre branding can be seen in a Regus building.

7. What term must I commit to?

Serviced offices offer flexible space and enable you to sign a license from one month upwards. Some operators would prefer you to sign for in excess of three months. As a general rule the longer you commit for the better the terms you will be offered.

8. What if I want long-term offices?

Serviced offices are only economical when you need short-term offices, require a high level of flexibility or require quick possession. If you can commit for a term in excess of three years, a conventional lease may be more suitable. Instant Offices cannot help you, however if you call one of our team on the number that appears at the bottom of this site we can give you contact names of surveyors that specialise in the areas that you are looking.

9. We may need space to grow within the building, is this possible?

All the centres have numerous tenants that can give one month's notice and move out. For a greater chance of being able to grow within the building you should choose a larger centre, as it is more likely that another tenant will vacate allowing you to expand. The size of the centre is indicated by the total number of workstations table in the search results.

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