Working remotely is one of the allures of freelancing.
Many freelancers prefer to work from their homes to use their time more productively instead of commuting daily.
However, more freelance workers are renting office space.
While you may find this trend counterintuitive, knowing why others take this route may compel you to reconsider how you do business.
Benefits of Renting an Office Space as a Freelancer
Five solid benefits compel many freelancers to lease a private office.
From this, decided if this is the best way to work as a freelancer.
1. Dedicated Space
Converting an existing room into a good home office is more challenging than most freelancers expect.
The ideal domestic workspace should be away from high-traffic areas and include a door you can close to set boundaries and block noises.
It also needs multiple electrical outlets and ample floor and wall space for storage.
Spare bedrooms often fit the bill.
However, only some people live in a house or apartment big enough to have one of them.
You may need to convert an unfinished area or enclose a portion of your living space to have a secluded work area.
A conversion or remodeling project can be expensive and stressful.
Signing an office lease allows you to avoid all these hassles.
Sublease space accounts for 4.1% of the total office inventory in the United States.
This sizable figure means you can easily find and rent private workspaces in office buildings in major cities nationwide.
2. Proper Furniture and Equipment
Outfitting a home office can be loads of fun but also time-consuming.
You may spend days designing and decorating the room. Furniture deliveries can arrive later than expected, and setting them up when they do can be exhausting.
The worst part is that you won’t get paid while completing this project.
In contrast, leasing a semi-furnished or fully furnished office space lets you get to work and start earning as soon as possible.
Most units have the basics and leave room for customization, allowing you to put your personal touch.
Office rentals also come with technological perks.
For example, Class A commercial landlords invest in state-of-the-art equipment to offer turnkey video conferencing and other remote work capabilities most freelancers consider vital.
3. More Privacy and Focus
A healthy work-life balance is one of the beauties of telecommuting.
Unfortunately, being physically present at home makes freelancers prone to disturbance.
Working from home creates a false sense of availability.
Your loved ones and friends may think they can talk to you face to face whenever they want since you’re just in another room.
Teaching the people around you to respect your boundaries while working can be difficult, even seeming like a lost cause. Working away from home is a practical alternative.
It can also be tricky to separate work activities from home activities.
For example, if someone is watching a TV show in the living room outside your home office, you might want to poke your head out and watch for a few minutes, too.
It can also be tempting to snack more throughout the day or be distracted by chores that need to be done.
Renting an office gives you a much greater level of privacy and quiet and fewer distractions. Being in a real office setting makes it easy to focus on tasks and meet deadlines.
4. Professional Image
Successful freelancers excel in projecting competence, professionalism and trust.
A well-appointed office in a central business district can boost your marketing efforts. An HQ in a prime location can also give you a professional space to meet with clients and collaborate with peers.
If you ever need to bring someone to the office, you can feel confident that you’re representing yourself well.
5. Promising Networking Opportunities
Networking opens doors. While the internet can help you build connections in your field efficiently, nothing compares to personal interactions.
Leaving the house gives you plenty of chances to meet new people.
Some may be future clients, while others can be bridges to promising business opportunities — like collaborations for ambitious projects.
Who you know is just as important as how well you do what you do. Some freelancers heavily rely on word of mouth to gain new business.
Your contacts can advocate for and refer you to someone they know, helping you grow your client base.
Surrounding yourself with fellow freelancing tenants gives you a reliable support system.
Your inner circle may sympathize with your challenges, but only those in the same boat as you can truly understand what it’s like to be self-employed.
Your community can give you sound advice about finding higher-quality clients and negotiating favorable contracts to help you do business better.
There’s a Caveat — More Overhead
One important point to think about before renting office space is rental costs. For freelancers who are just starting out, rent may seem too expensive.
However, business owners can deduct many business expenses from their taxes, which can help offset these fees.
Commuting also leads to a host of costs freelancers should consider before they make this transition.
Aside from gas — or public charging if you drive an electric vehicle — you may also have to pay for parking.
Leasing an office also means you have to drive to work more frequently.
Your daily commute will accelerate your car’s wear and tear, translating to higher maintenance costs.
If you plan to take public transit instead, see how much bus or train passes cost and compare your transportation options.
Spending time in the office, especially if it’s located in a walkable, urban area, can influence you to spend more.
For example, you might want to treat yourself to a nice meal around the corner before heading home.
Unless these expenses are directly related to your business, they won’t be deductible, and they can add up quickly.
Is Renting an Office Space as a Freelancer Worth It?
A private office can solve many challenges freelancers face.
However, its corresponding costs may make you think twice about signing a lease.
Still, renting is worthwhile when your income can justify it and you wish to boost your earning potential further.
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