Temporary offices are an ideal solution for businesses that are quickly expanding and outgrowing their current office space. A temporary office space rental offers flexible lease options and customizable temp offices to meet your business objectives and goals, and often times save your business money.

There are several temporary office rental and shared office space packages with customizable amenities and services to help businesses in making the most of temporary office space. To get the greatest benefit from your temporary office accommodation, look for a short term office space that includes the tools your business needs for to optimal success. Pay close attention to the following temp office space options:

1. Does the temporary business office accommodation include amenities needed to grow your business? Does the satellite office space offer quality furnishings and high-tech equipment?

2. What kind of value-added services are offered with the remote office to help your business grow?

3. What options does the temporary office rental offer for personalizing and customizing your business space? What kind of signage is available to help customers find your temporary offices quickly and easily?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for a temporary office space rental with quality furnishings and high-tech equipment

To get the most value from your temporary office, look for a short term office space with high quality amenities. Attractive furnishings go a long way in projecting a positive, classy image of your business. Be sure to check out the practical amenities as well, like high-speed internet, office phones and copiers.

I recommend: Corporate Suites features a selection of executive desks, executive-style chairs, meeting tables and filing space to project your specific business image. Take a virtual tour to check out the professionally furnished and decorated offices available at Galleria International Corporate Suites.

Increase business productivity with full-service temporary office locations

Many temporary offices feature service packages, ranging from basic call receiving to full-service administrative assistance. By utilizing service options available with your temporary executive office rental, you will be making the most of temporary office space and using your time to focus on growing your business, not handling administrative tasks. You may also find that the administrative service packages offered through your temporary or shared office space will save your business money on administrative costs and serve as a cost effective alternative to hiring more staff.

I recommend: Premier Business Centers offers personalized telephone answering services with voicemail, mail receipt and distribution, on site administrative support and information technology services and consulting. Office Suites PLUS offers full-service administrative assistance like greeting guests, making copies, planning catering services for meetings or assisting with large projects.

Customize your temporary office rental to reflect your business image and values

Take advantage of the opportunity for new customers in your new location by providing attractive signage outside and inside the building. Personalize your offices with details like artwork and posters that reflect your company's values.

I recommend: Grace Corporate Park includes on-site signage for your business, as well as a listing on its website directory. Learn how to create a business image using facility signage at Facilities.net.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider your temporary or satellite office as a valuable marketing opportunity. Provide brochures in the lobby or reception area. Build a rapport and network with other building tenants to promote your business. To ensure you are making the most of temporary office space, send out direct mail pieces to current and potential clients advertising your new location and consider hosting an open house event at your new temporary office space.

You've outgrown your home office or current office location, which hopefully means your business is growing accordingly. Before you sign off on a long-term lease on a bigger place, which could end up severely limiting your cash flow, check out another option – temporary office space.

Here are the top solutions to finding and using temporary office space:

1. Assess the size and other basic must-haves for your new office space.
2. Prioritize your need for office amenities, including staffing, to narrow your choices.
3. Go to the experts for help in choosing the best temporary office space for you.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Define necessities immediately

Figuring out what you need is the first step. Start with the basics – office size, number of employees working from that office (if any), geographical location, you rental budget and occupancy dates.

I recommend: Try out the planning checklist on OfficeFinder, an information/referral network with office location experts in 400-plus markets.

Narrow your choices

Refine your new office must-haves by adding those features you consider indispensable – make a list of 'needs' vs. 'wants' so you have these options clearly defined ahead of time.

I recommend: HQ is the largest provider of fully-equipped office space and executive suites for rent in the U.S. Worldwide, we're talking 750 locations, 350 cities and 60 countries.

Contemplate the costs

Number one on your priority list should be finding the right space for the right price. What will your lease agreement and rent cover? Just the space itself, or office equipment, furniture and high-speed Internet? (If you have to buy/rent equipment, that's going to cut into your bottom line.)

I recommend: Plug your expenses into the Executive Suite vs. Conventional Office Cost Comparison Calculator to figure out your costs.

Share and share alike

Thinking about a shared office? Then check out 'turnkey' office solutions – not just office space – they provide you with entire fitted, furnished, and staffed office, in most cases. (Check to verify which amenities are included in the lease price, and which are offered for additional fees.)

I recommend: Check out OfficerFinder's Executive Suites, to find shared offices with services provided by a management firm. Or check out the free property search at Executive Suites.

Ready, set, go!

Okay, put the experts to work for you. Any of the sources we've given you here can help you find the perfect office.

I recommend: Go straight to OfficeFinder Wizard for a step-by-step guide to find the right space. Go to Offices2Share for a free search of short-term, ready-to-use office space.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Get it in writing: No handshake deals here! Get everything – rental terms and prices, signage, etc. – you name it.
• •  Professional and useful: Remember that you have the limited resources of a small business owner, so make sure your temp office space looks professional, and is put to the right use.
• •  Think sensibly: Don't fall victim to choosing a space based only on its appearance, address, or ocean-side sunrises, if it's the size of a closet. Think smart.
• •  Accessible: Is the new office easily to go to from a highway/main street? You don't want your clients getting lost.

Temporary office space is a smart option for start-up or growing businesses. Because temporary offices usually come equipped with furniture and necessary office machines, business owners don't need to purchase furniture or office equipment, which can be a substantial savings. Some temp offices even include administrative services, which can equate to even greater savings.

Before you rent a temporary office space, be sure the space meets your needs. Find a space that will grow with your business, and offers customizable office layouts to meet your specific business and staffing needs. When determining if a temporary office rental is right for your business, factor in all monthly expenses and consider the following:

1. What are the average temporary or shared office space lease prices in your geographic area? Which areas of town offer the most affordable lease options?

2. What is included in the pricing and costs of temporary office space? Does the rental fee include furniture, office equipment or services?

3. What are the additional costs for temporary or satellite office space administrative services? Are services offered on a pay-as-you-go basis or through monthly service packages?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Research average temporary office space rental fees in your geographic area

The pricing and costs of temporary office space vary widely by region. In general, a temporary office rental in a metropolitan area will be more expensive than in a suburban or rural area. Expect to pay a minimum of $200 per month for a temporary office space, with prices as high as $2500 per month at select locations in major cities.

I recommend: Micro Office Solutions offers affordable full-service office space in New York City. Check out temporary office locations in downtown Chicago ranging from just a few hundred dollars each month to thousands of dollars a month at Instant Offices. Melbourne Tower in Seattle leases temporary offices based on square footage, which prices by square footage.

Find out exactly what the short term office space lease price includes

Before signing a temporary executive office rental lease, get an itemized list (in writing) of what is included in the lease price. Find out if basic items like furniture and office equipment are included in the cost. Ask about any additional costs for necessary business equipment and functions like telephones, voicemail, internet access and mail services.

I recommend: Compare the cost of traditional office space with temp office space available through Office Suites PLUS. The Brunswick Business Center provides a comprehensive list of items included in the rental fees, like full time reception, high speed internet, IP ready phones and long distance, meeting rooms and parking. The full-time office plan at Premier Business Centers includes benefits like personalized telephone answering services with voicemail, high speed T-1 internet access and mail receipt and distribution.

Calculate the costs of administrative fees before signing a temporary office accommodation lease

Before you begin your temporary or remote office search, it is important to carefully evaluate your administrative needs. Many temp offices offer standard service packages as part of your monthly lease price, while others offer administrative support for additional fees on an as-needed basis.

I recommend: In addition to a basic office space package, Rockefeller Group Business Centers offer several support services on as-needed basis so you pay only for the services you use. Barrister Executive Suites provides personalized telephone answering, professional reception services and mail sorting and delivery included in your monthly rent.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before signing a lease on a temporary business office accommodation, be sure to investigate all hidden fees. Some temporary offices do not include costs for parking, janitorial services or reception services in the monthly rent fees.

Temporary office space is required when a company needs a work space for a short period of time. Instead of purchasing the temporary office space, the business owner will likely look into leasing options.

Different companies offer temporary office space locations with both long and short term arrangements. You can find a large range of features available at temporary office space and looking at the key terms can help you make your choice.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Personalized telephone answering services

Personalized telephone answering service is an amenity that you will see come up often in ads for temporary office space. Personalized telephone answering services can include your own phone lines, programmable voice mail as well as a greeter to take client calls.

I recommend: As a perk, Office Suites Plus has personalized telephone answering services for their temporary work spaces.

Executive office suite

An executive office suite is a private suite of rooms that can be leased out by the property owner. Executive suites can be used on a temporary basis as well, but include more top level amenities, like signage and use of Internet and fax services.

I recommend: Corporate Park provides details on their temporary executive office suite program.

Virtual office space

Virtual offices are locations ideal for businesses that require a physical address to operate as well as occasional use of an office. The leasing company will give you a set number of hours that you can use the temporary space and a listing of other features included with the lease.

I recommend: Learn about virtual office space features from Premier Business Centers. Get more details about virtual offices from Davinci Virtual Office Solutions.

Extension options

Extension options are essential to temporary office solutions, especially since you won't want to be in a bind if you need the office space longer than the set time frame within your contract. Extension options give an option of extending the temporary office space's lease.

I recommend: Office Finder has an office space planning checklist will allow you to go over all of the aspects of finding a temporary work space, including information on extension options.

Project office

A project office is a temporary office that is used solely for the completion of a particular project. Team members can use the facility for the duration of the project and then return to their normal office at the end.

I recommend: Wise Geek has an overview of what consists of a temporary office including a focus on the use for a project office.

Business Centers

The term business centers are another key phrase that is used often when discussing temporary office spaces. Business centers are larger buildings which can house multiple offices and work stations. A business center may also include amenities like conference rooms, reception areas, mail handling and a phone service.

I recommend: Executive Suite defines business centers as well as compares it to an office space.