A serviced office is usually cheaper than renting office space yourself for companies with up to five employees or for rental periods shorter than three years. Renting yourself becomes more advantageous for larger teams, longer contracts, and minimal facility requirements. The total monthly costs when renting yourself are often 30-50% higher than just the rental price due to additional costs such as furnishing, internet, cleaning, and insurance.
What are the real costs of renting office space yourself?
The real costs of renting office space yourself are on average 40-60% higher than the base rental price. In addition to monthly rent, you pay service charges, utilities, insurance, furnishing, internet, cleaning, and maintenance. For a 50 m² office, you quickly reach €2,000-3,000 per month in total.
The biggest cost differences lie in startup costs and unexpected expenses. Think of:
- Deposit (usually three months’ rent)
- Real estate agent fees and legal costs
- Furnishing: desks, chairs, cabinets, lighting (€3,000-8,000)
- IT installation: internet, telephony, network (€1,500-3,000)
- Building modifications (€2,000-10,000)
Monthly costs also stack up. Besides rent and service charges, you pay for fiber internet (€80-150), cleaning (€200-400), insurance (€100-200), coffee and office supplies (€150-300). When problems or repairs arise, you’re responsible for finding solutions and covering the costs.
How much does a serviced office actually cost per month?
A serviced office costs between €200-600 per workstation per month, depending on location, size, and amenities. For a private office of 25-50 m², you pay €1,200-2,500 per month all-inclusive. This may seem more expensive than base rent, but includes all facilities that you’d have to arrange and pay for separately when renting yourself.
The all-inclusive formula means you won’t get any surprises. The price includes as standard:
- Fully furnished office space with furniture
- Fiber internet and telephony
- Daily cleaning and maintenance
- Reception services and mail handling
- Access to meeting rooms
- Coffee, tea, and office supplies
- Security and 24/7 access
Additional costs are limited and transparent. Think of intensive use of meeting rooms (beyond included hours), catering for meetings, or extra parking spaces. Most serviced offices in Amstelveen work with clear price lists without hidden costs.
When is a serviced office cheaper than renting yourself?
A serviced office is financially advantageous for teams up to five people, for rental periods shorter than three years, and when you value flexibility. Even in expensive locations like Zuidas or Amsterdam city center, the all-inclusive formula outweighs high independent rental costs plus all additional expenses.
The tipping points depend on various factors:
| Situation | Serviced office more advantageous | Self-rental more advantageous |
|---|---|---|
| Team size | 1-5 employees | 6+ employees |
| Rental period | Shorter than three years | Longer than five years |
| Location | Expensive areas (Zuidas, city center) | Cheaper business parks |
| Growth plans | Uncertain or rapidly changing | Stable and predictable |
Startups and scale-ups benefit especially from serviced offices because they can grow within the same location. You don’t need to relocate when your team grows: you simply take additional space. This saves moving costs and disruption to your business operations.
For established companies with stable teams and long-term plans, self-rental can work out cheaper. Especially if you need minimal facilities and are willing to organize and maintain everything yourself.
What hidden costs should you factor into your decision?
Hidden costs when renting yourself are often 20-40% of your total office budget. Think of unexpected repairs, IT problems, renovations when moving in or out, and especially the time you spend on facility management. With serviced offices, hidden costs are minimal and predictable.
The most underestimated costs when renting yourself:
- Time investment: 5-10 hours per month on facility management, suppliers, and problem-solving
- Exit costs: Restoring the property to original condition (€5,000-15,000)
- Unexpected repairs: air conditioning, heating, plumbing, electricity
- IT support: internet, network, telephony outages
- Contract modifications: legal costs when growing or downsizing
- Vacancy: paying for space you don’t (anymore) use
With serviced offices, additional costs are transparent and limited. You know exactly what to expect. The only extras you pay for are services you consciously choose, such as extra meeting hours or catering. View the transparent pricing of different office options here.
The biggest hidden saving of a serviced office is your time. As an entrepreneur, you focus on your business, not on arranging cleaning or solving internet problems. That time is often worth more than the cost difference.
How Kronenburg Offices helps with transparent office costs
We use a completely transparent all-inclusive formula without surprises. For €1,250 per month, you get a ready-to-use office of 25 m², including all facilities. Larger offices up to 85 m² are available from €4,250 per month. Everything is included: furniture, fiber internet, cleaning, meeting rooms, reception, and 24/7 access.
Our advantages compared to self-rental:
- No startup costs for furnishing or IT installation
- One fixed monthly amount without additional costs
- Flexibility to grow within the same location
- A personal contact point for all your questions and needs
- A professional appearance without the headache of management
You save not only money, but especially time and worries. While other entrepreneurs are busy with facility management, you focus entirely on your business. That’s the real value of a well-organized office location.
Want to know what a transparent office can mean for your business? Read more about our approach or schedule a viewing directly to experience the difference yourself.
Related Articles
- Office space near the A9: excellent accessibility for employees and visitors
- Why do consultants choose to rent office space at a business center?
- Office space with reception, meeting rooms, and 24/7 access
- How do you make a good impression on clients when renting office space?
- Is a business center suitable for a company with two or three employees?