Coworking Space or Your Own Office? Choosing a Workspace in Lahore

Lahore's freelancer and startup scene has grown quickly, and so have the options for where to work. A coworking desk is quick and flexible; your own office gives you control and, past a certain team size, often costs less. Here is how to decide.

Coworking suits you if

• You are a freelancer or a team of one to four people.
• You need reliable internet and backup power but don't want to set them up yourself.
• Your plans might change in a few months and you don't want a long agreement.
• You want meeting rooms occasionally, without paying for one every month.

Your own office suits you if

• Your team is around five people or more. Per-seat coworking fees add up quickly as you grow.
• You need privacy for client work, calls or equipment.
• You want to put your company name on the door and build a fixed base.
• You are ready to commit to a year or more.

Compare the real monthly cost

Coworking prices usually include most running costs. An office does not. When you compare, add these to the office rent:

• Electricity, which can be high in summer with ACs running
• Internet, ideally two connections for backup
• UPS, generator or solar for load-shedding
• Furniture and fit-out, spread over the months you expect to stay
• Building maintenance charges, security and cleaning
• Security deposit and advance rent, which tie up cash at the start

Checks before signing for an office

• Backup power: does the building have a generator, and does it cover your floor and ACs?
• Internet: which providers already have fibre in the building?
• Parking: how many spaces come with the office? In Gulberg this is often the deciding factor.
• Access: can you work late or on weekends, and is there a lift?
• Agreement: term, yearly increase, notice period and who pays for repairs.

Where to look

Gulberg has the largest mix of offices, from small furnished suites to full floors. DHA has newer commercial buildings with better parking, and Johar Town is popular with software companies and offers lower rents. Browse all offices for rent in Lahore.