13th February 2025, Riyadh: Serviced offices are a superior alternative to traditional business offices. They eliminate the responsibility to run, maintain and manage the overheads of a private office. Typically, they offer all-inclusive packages that can help get your business running in ideally located and fully fitted properties that suit the nature of your business.
Serviced offices in Saudi Arabia have become popular because technology now favours customizable office facilities. The demand for serviced offices is soaring because of the rise of remote working models such as hybrid offices. As per Forbes, there is a rising demand for 'places to call creative homes for employees.' The solution for this is a serviced office.

Definition
A serviced office is a property fitted with all office equipment and amenities without the hassle of buying, running and maintaining them. They are typically used as temporary locations for extra office space for a short period to cater to the changing needs of a business.
The significant advantage of a serviced office is that businesses can avoid making costly investments in office equipment and amenities. At the same time, they can offer a professional working space for their employees.
A third-party company conducts the investment and maintenance of office infrastructure. These furnished workspaces are usually located in strategic business locations. The slew of amenities of a serviced office space can be well exploited by different parties, including start-ups, SMEs, freelancers, etc.

Services included
A serviced office has extensive amenities such as reception services, workstations, high-speed internet and parking services. Some spaces even host networking events where people can interact with each other. The best part is that all maintenance services are the serviced office provider's responsibility, so you are free to focus on your core business.
Some of these valuable amenities include:
• furnished workspaces such as storage, desks and chairs
• Internet connection of high speed and smooth connectivity
• Phone systems (voice mail and dedicated phone lines).
• Reception services (call answering and handling of mail).
• Administrative services (typing, photocopying, printing, scanning)
• Access to meeting facilities and conference rooms
• Pantry services include drinks, snacks, water, beverages, etc.
• Cleaning, janitorial and other maintenance services.
• Day and night access to the office
• Support for IT services like troubleshooting server issues
• Access to shared spaces such as lounges and sofas.
• Hosting of networking events
It must be noted that the specific amenities on offer will differ according to the package of your choice.

How do they work?
The first step in using a serviced office is to define your workspace details. Begin by finding a location best suited to your needs, such as the target market, local facilities, and ease of access. After selecting the area, the next task is to configure the size of your workspace, whether you are seeking a whole floor or only a few work desks.
Then, the team for office administration will create an agreement to your liking. The best part about serviced offices is that they are ready to use once the contract is signed. The third-party team will help ensure that all details of the new workspace help attain a smooth transition.
This all-inclusive package ensures that the business can concentrate on core activities and leave the tasks of daily operations and maintenance to the third-party service provider. Also, the serviced office model allows businesses to change the quantum of office space up or down as per their needs. This is a hassle-free arrangement that reduces the burden of a traditional office.

Main benefits
Apart from the above apparent benefits of serviced offices, there are also the following key advantages for this form of office set-up:
• Flexible contracts
Unlike traditional office leases, work contracts for serviced offices are signed monthly rather than yearly or on a multi-year basis. This allows you to move locations, scale up or down the office space or even dismiss the contract at short notice.
• Reception Facilities
Most serviced offices feature staffed reception services. This adds to the space's security and ensures that your visitors get a professional welcome when they arrive. There is no need for you to employ a receptionist when you opt for a small office space for rent.
• Maintenance facilities
Whether you are new to the office space or have been using it for several months, you need not shoulder the responsibility of facility maintenance, which the third-party office provider will handle. This implies that the latter will handle all downsides, like a break in the internet connection or a faulty water faucet.
• Customize the workspace
In certain serviced offices, even if you are sharing workspace with others, there is the option of customizing the workspace to a certain degree. Thus, you can contribute the branding and style of your company to the workspace without being tied down by a long-term lease.
• Global locations
As a growing business, you might want to enter new markets in cities like Dubai, Riyadh, New York or Tokyo. With a serviced office in such locations, you can test the waters briefly without making huge investments in commercial property in these expensive locations.
• Minimize costs of business infrastructure
By opting for the optimum space required for a specific period, you end up paying only for what you need. By this, you can avoid any wasteful expenditure.


• Access to the best amenities in the market
Serviced offices provide all facilities required for the smooth operation of your business, from computer-equipped desks to conference rooms. All basic needs are well taken care of.
• Caters to growing needs for expansion or contraction
If you are trying to expand your business, the serviced office has room for any extra space you might need. Likewise, if you are closing shop in a specific location, the flexible contract allows you to do this with minimum hassles.
• Access to ready offices
Business efficiency is enabled in serviced offices because you can move into the premises as soon as you sign the contract and begin smooth operations. The office is already equipped to handle the stream of your work.

These are the main benefits of operating from shared office spaces. They match the technological, logistical and timely needs of modern business.