When is renting office space the smartest move for your business?

The decision to rent office space depends on your current situation and ambitions. If you’re working from home but regularly receive clients, your team is growing, or you need a professional appearance, then it’s time to take that step. Renting office space costs between €15 and €50 per square meter per month, depending on location and amenities. A business center offers more flexibility than traditional rental, with all-in services and shorter contracts.

In this article, we answer the most important questions that entrepreneurs have when considering office space. From timing and costs to choosing the right location and facilities.

When is it time to rent office space?

It’s time to rent office space when working from home hinders your business growth, you regularly receive clients, or your team is expanding. These signals indicate that professional office space becomes necessary.

Concrete signals that you’re ready for office space:

You receive clients at home weekly and it doesn’t feel professional.
You’ve hired employees who no longer fit in your home office.
You’re losing contracts because you don’t have a representative address.
Working from home causes distractions and reduced productivity.
You need separation between work and private life.

Practical considerations also play a role. Think about storage space for inventory, the ability to hold meetings, or the necessity of a business address for your Chamber of Commerce registration. If you find yourself regularly renting external meeting rooms or seeking out coffee shops for business conversations, you’re probably ready for your own office space.

What does renting office space cost per month?

Renting office space costs an average of between €15 and €50 per square meter per month, depending on location, amenities, and the type of rental contract. In Amstelveen and surrounding areas, you pay between €1,250 and €4,250 per month for a fully furnished office unit.

Office space cost overview:

Traditional office rental: €15-25/m² (bare, excluding amenities)
Business center: €35-50/m² (all-inclusive with services)
Serviced offices: €40-60/m² (fully serviced, flexible)

A business center usually includes: fiber optic internet, cleaning, reception, meeting rooms, coffee, and 24/7 access. This makes total monthly costs predictable. With traditional rental, costs often include internet (€50-150), cleaning (€8-15/m²), utilities (€100-300), and maintenance.

Watch out for hidden costs, such as service charges, parking spaces (€50-150 per month), and one-time costs for furnishing. A workspace in Amstelveen can start from €199 per month, which is a good way to test if renting office space suits you.

What is the difference between a business center and traditional office rental?

A business center offers fully furnished office space with shared facilities and services, while traditional office rental usually involves a bare space that you must furnish and manage yourself. Business centers are more flexible, but more expensive per square meter.

Main differences:

Business center:

All-inclusive: furniture, internet, cleaning, reception
Shorter contracts (often 12 months)
Shared meeting rooms and lounges
Ready to move in immediately
Higher costs per m², but predictable monthly expenses

Traditional office rental:

Bare space that you furnish yourself
Longer contracts (3-5 years)
Own facilities and maintenance
Lower rental price, but extra costs for furnishing
More control over the space

For startups and growing businesses, a business center is often more practical. You can start immediately without large investments in furniture and IT. For established companies with specific requirements, traditional rental can be more cost-effective. Check the available options to see which approach best fits your situation.

How do you choose the right office location for your business?

You choose the right office location based on accessibility for clients and employees, the image that fits your company, and proximity to relevant amenities. The location largely determines the success of your office space.

Key factors in location choice:

Accessibility:

Proximity to highways for clients arriving by car
Public transport connections for employees
Sufficient parking spaces
Travel time from your main client areas

Company image:

Does the environment fit your industry and image?
Are there similar companies in the area?
How do the building and immediate surroundings look?

Practical amenities:

Restaurants and cafés for business lunches
Banks and post offices nearby
Hotels for clients from outside the region
Opportunities for team outings or drinks

Amstelveen, for example, combines the advantages of the Zuidas (business image, good accessibility) with lower costs and more parking availability. It’s close to Schiphol for international clients and has excellent connections to Amsterdam.

What facilities do you need in an office building?

The required facilities depend on your type of business and working method. Basic facilities are internet, heating/cooling, and sanitation. Additionally, meeting rooms, a reception, and parking are important for most businesses.

Essential facilities:

Fiber optic internet: For a stable connection and video calling
Climate control: A comfortable working temperature year-round
Security: 24/7 access and camera surveillance
Cleaning: Daily cleaning of office and sanitation

Useful extras:

Meeting rooms: For client meetings and team discussions
Reception: Professional reception of visitors
Coffee service: Quality coffee for yourself and guests
Parking: Sufficient spaces for employees and clients
Pantry: Refrigerator, microwave, and cooking facilities

Also consider future-proof facilities, such as electric charging stations, flexible internet capacity, and modular office layouts that grow with your business. Some facilities can be shared with other tenants, which is more cost-effective than arranging everything yourself.

How Kronenburg Offices helps with renting office space

We make renting office space simple and straightforward. Our turn-key office solution means you can view today and start tomorrow, without hassle with furnishing, internet, or facilities.

What we arrange for you:

Fully furnished office units of 25-85 m² immediately available
All-inclusive: fiber optic internet, cleaning, reception, meeting rooms
Flexible contracts from 12 months, with growth space within the same location
One fixed contact person (the owner himself) for all questions and requests
Transparent prices without hidden costs or surprises

Located in the Kronenburg Business Park in Amstelveen, we offer Zuidas quality at a fair price. With excellent accessibility via the A9, A10, A2, and A4, plus various public transport connections. Want to know if our approach fits your business? Read more about our working method or schedule a viewing directly to experience the facilities yourself.