If you need privacy, have a fixed team size but want room to grow into, a private office is usually the better fit. If you want to keep costs low but need flexibility to scale up or down month-to-month, coworking is usually the smarter choice. Many growing businesses actually use both at different stages of their life, starting out in a coworking space and moving into a private office as the team expands.
This blog breaks down the real differences in cost, flexibility, privacy, and team size, using Theobalds Enterprise Centre and Hoddesdon Enterprise Centre in Hertfordshire as working examples of how you can transition between the two options.
What’s the difference between coworking and private office space?
Coworking space is a shared, flexible workspace where you rent a desk either by the day, for a month, or as an ongoing membership. You’ll work alongside other businesses and freelancers and enjoy a productive place to work, with access to shared facilities. The downside is that the space itself isn’t exclusively yours.
Private office space is a dedicated, lockable room used only by your business. It’s typically let on a fixed-term licence agreement so it’s exclusively yours for the duration of the agreement.
Coworking vs private office space: pros and cons
What does coworking cost?
Pricing usually scales with how much commitment you want. At Broxbourne Enterprise Centres, coworking is available across a few tiers:
All coworking memberships include superfast WiFi, unlimited tea and coffee, free parking with chargeable EV charging points, and secure cycle storage. Flexible, Unlimited, and Dedicated Desk members also get access to specialist business support, networking events, and discounted meeting rooms.
What does private office space cost?
Private, fully equipped office space at Broxbourne Enterprise Centres starts from £xxx per month on a flexible licence agreement, for teams of 2-15+ people. There’s no long-term lock-in, and the price covers a dedicated, lockable space rather than a shared desk. Businesses that want extra credibility without taking a larger office can also add a Companies House registered address service for £10 per month.
Which option offers the greatest flexibility?
Coworking is certainly the most flexible with Drop-in and Flexible memberships having no long-term contract. Private offices still offer flexibility compared to a traditional commercial lease as there’s no multi-year tie-in, but you’re committing to a fixed space for a fixed term, which works best once the size of your team has settled.
Privacy: how important is this for your business?
If you make sensitive calls, need to protect your client’s confidentiality or simply need a quiet space for focused work, a private office is clearly the best option for you. Coworking spaces are designed for collaboration and community, so they’re noisier and less private.
Team size: when coworking stops making sense
A single coworking desk works well for one or two people. Once a business is regularly bringing in three, four, or more team members, the cost of multiple individual desks often starts to outweigh the cost of a private office. A private office brings everyone together in one secure space.
How to move from coworking to a private office without moving sites
This is so simple if you choose to work from either of the Broxbourne Business Centres. We have multiple workspace types under one roof so you can start on a Drop-in or Flexible coworking membership at Theobalds Enterprise Centre in Cheshunt, just off the M25, and as the team grows past two or three people, move into a private office in the same building, sized anywhere from 2 to 11+ people, without losing the parking, café, meeting rooms, and business support they’re already used to.
The same applies at Hoddesdon Enterprise Centre, where private offices scale from 3-15+ people. In both cases, the business keeps its address, its network, and its routine.
Frequently asked questions
Is coworking cheaper than renting a private office?
Yes, for individuals or very small teams. Coworking at Broxbourne Enterprise Centres starts from £20 per day, while private offices start from £600 per month. When a business needs three or more dedicated desks, a private office is likely to offer better value.
Can I move from coworking to a private office without changing location? Yes. Both Theobalds Enterprise Centre and Hoddesdon Enterprise Centre offer coworking and private office space within the same building, so businesses can upgrade as they grow without relocating.
Do I need a contract for coworking space? Not necessarily. Drop-in coworking has no membership agreement at all. Flexible and Unlimited memberships run on a rolling basis with a 1-month notice period, while Dedicated Desk coworking runs on a 12-month contract.
What size team needs a private office instead of coworking desks? There’s no fixed rule, but most businesses consider a private office once they have three or more people working together regularly, or if they want a lockable space for equipment or confidential work, or need a fixed registered business address.
Are you interested in coworking or taking an office space in East Hertfordshire?
Book a tour of Theobalds Enterprise Centre or Hoddesdon Enterprise Centre to compare coworking and private office space side by side. Our friendly team will welcome you to the centre and show you around, telling you all about the facilities on offer. Contact us today!
