Coworking Spaces vs Traditional Office Rentals in Dubai: What's More Cost-Effective?

Mar 09, 2023
Industry Insight

Coworking Spaces vs Traditional Office Rentals in Dubai: What's More Cost-Effective?

Are you tired of working from home? Need a more concrete space to call home in Dubai? Finding a suitable workspace can help propel you to success as a freelancer, entrepreneur, or small business owner. Two popular options available are traditional office rentals in Dubai and coworking spaces. While each has its advantages, the cost-effectiveness of these options is important to consider.

Today we’ll discuss the cost-effectiveness of coworking spaces vs traditional office rentals, focusing on Dubai (and spaces like Letswork), and what's better for businesses!

Cost Comparison Between Coworking Spaces & Traditional Office Rentals in Dubai

Dubai is known for its high rent across the board, especially for a reliable and aesthetically pleasing workspace. The costs that come with them are more than just rent. Let's dissect the general costs that come with each type of space.

Traditional Office Rentals

To make a long story short, the cost breakdown of traditional office rentals in Dubai includes rent, maintenance, utilities, internet and phone services, furniture, and equipment.

The rent alone can be substantial, but what about the rest? Businesses must also consider maintenance costs, including cleaning and repairs. The cost of utilities, internet, and phone services can also quickly add up. If you get an unfurnished office, it's up to the business to get furniture and equipment, which can be a significant short-term expense.

While you get more autonomy over your space, traditional office rentals in Dubai can be a considerable expense for businesses, especially up-and-coming companies.

Coworking Spaces

In parallel, coworking spaces in Dubai have multiple payment methods, but all are focused on membership or hourly rates. Instead of paying rent and handling maintenance, businesses pay a membership fee or a space per hour/day, covering everything from rent and utilities to furniture and equipment.

Coworking spaces in Dubai also provide a range of amenities and services, including high-speed internet, printing and scanning facilities, meeting rooms, and even coffee and snacks. This all-inclusive pricing model can make a big difference to businesses, especially those just starting out or looking to keep their costs low.

However, it is important to note that with a coworking space, there isn’t as much free reign over the space as with an office rental. This is because most are shared spaces in which other companies and individuals rent or work in simultaneously.

Factors to Consider When Choosing

When choosing between coworking spaces and traditional office rentals, businesses should consider various factors to select the best option for their needs. Here are some of the key factors that companies should take into account.

Flexibility

Unlike traditional office rentals in Dubai, which often require long-term leases, coworking spaces offer flexible prices and easy-to-cancel memberships. Coworking spaces also provide a range of space options, fromprivate officesto shared workspaces, allowing businesses to choose the space that best meets their needs.

Additionally, coworking spaces in Dubai allow for scalability. Coworking spaces in Dubai offer the option to scale up or down quickly, depending on the business's needs, without committing to long-term leases.

Location

Near, far, wherever you are! Location is another critical factor when deciding between coworking spaces and traditional office rentals. For some businesses, having an office in a particular area of Dubai may be a priority. Coworking spaces are often located in central areas of the city, making them more accessible to businesses than traditional office rentals.

Amenities and services

Need a coffee machine? A washing machine? Fax? Why fax? It doesn't matter.

The right amenities and services can significantly impact your day-to-day operations. Coworking spaces in Dubai offer a range of amenities and services not typically available in traditional office rentals.

For example, coworking spaces often provide:

  • High-speed internet.
  • Meeting rooms.
  • Printing and scanning facilities.
  • Even coffee and snacks.

However, a traditional office rental in Dubai gives you a chance to carefully curate the amenities and services your business needs. It might be costly in the beginning, but in the long run, it is an absolute game-changer.

Company Culture

Any business’ company culture can make or break the environment. Coworking spaces in Dubai offer a diverse community of professionals from different backgrounds, which can create a collaborative and supportive working environment.

On the other hand, traditional office rentals offer a more isolated environment where businesses are responsible for making their company culture.

What's More Cost-Effective?

Businesses in Dubai looking for a cost-effective workspace solution should consider coworking spaces over traditional office rentals, especially in the short term. Comparing the two (simply from broad overhead costs) shows that coworking spaces in Dubai are significantly cheaper than traditional office rentals.

For example, a traditional office rental in Dubai (say between 800 to 1500 sq ft) can range from AED 50,000 to AED 230,000, depending on the location, amenities, and more. In parallel, the cost of a coworking space membership in Dubai is less - some reaching a maximum ofAED 825 per month per person.

Get Settled With Letswork

Businesses can maximise productivity and minimise costs by selecting a workspace that offers flexibility, a desirable location, and a range of amenities and services. With Letswork, you can get that and more! For the best of both worlds, book aserviced officethrough Letswork. An office like that allows you to focus solely on your business needs with the benefits of a coworking space.

Want to kickstart your coworking space journey? Head to the Letswork database and find a suitable coworking space for you today! No matter where you are in Dubai, there's a fabulous space ready for you to thrive in.

n
Written by
nan