You need a workplace in Leipzig and face the question: rent an office of your own or move into a coworking space? Both paths have their place. Which one fits you depends above all on three things: cost, flexibility and how much of the effort you want to carry yourself.
The two paths in short
Renting your own office means: you sign a commercial lease, usually for several years, fit out the rooms yourself and take care of everything else, from internet to cleaning.
Coworking means: you rent a fully equipped workstation or a private office inside a shared space, usually flexibly and without a long commitment. What coworking is exactly is explained in our article What is a coworking space?.
The comparison in detail
Cost
With your own office you pay base rent plus utilities, electricity, internet, furniture, cleaning and fit-out. These items add up quickly and come with a high upfront investment. Coworking has one flat price that contains all of it. For small teams, coworking is therefore often cheaper once you honestly count every side cost. Details in What does a coworking space cost?.
Flexibility
A commercial lease usually ties you down for several years. If your team grows or shrinks, that becomes a problem. Coworking grows with you: adding or reducing desks works at short notice. A big advantage for anyone with uncertain or seasonal workload.
Effort
Your own office means administration: contracts, tradespeople, cleaning services, IT. In a coworking space the operator takes care of all of it. You walk in and work.
Privacy and design
This is where your own office scores: full control over the rooms, the branding and the quiet. Anyone doing a lot of confidential work or needing a strong environment of their own will feel better there. As a middle ground, coworking offers lockable team and private offices inside the space.
Network and community
Your own office is quiet, but also isolated. In a coworking space you meet other self-employed people and companies. Contacts, collaborations and projects often grow out of that.
When does which option pay off?
Coworking fits if you:
- want to stay flexible and avoid a long commitment
- are a small or growing team
- value predictable costs without an upfront investment
- are looking for contacts and exchange
Your own office fits if you:
- have a larger, stable team
- need a lot of privacy and quiet
- want to design your own rooms around your branding
- are staying in the same place long term
Starting flexibly in Leipzig: MerkurOffice
If you are looking for a workplace in Leipzig but do not want to commit for years, you are in the right place with us at MerkurOffice in the Merkurhaus. Flexible workstations, meeting rooms and an event space, central in the city. You can start small and grow with us. Have a look at our coworking options in Leipzig or drop by for a coffee.
Frequently asked questions
- Is coworking cheaper than an office of your own?
- For small teams and self-employed people often yes, as soon as you count utilities, furniture and administrative effort.
- Can I have a lockable office inside a coworking space?
- Yes. Many spaces, MerkurOffice included, offer lockable team or private offices inside the space.
- What about a long-term lease for an office?
- Commercial leases usually run for several years. Coworking, by contrast, can mostly be cancelled monthly or at short notice.
Not sure which one fits you? Get in touch at hello@merkuroffice.de, we will give you an honest opinion.
