What an office
really costs
2026
A realistic cost comparison
beyond rent and square meters.
beyond rent and square meters.
Figures from 2025—2026 projects
Why office costs are almost always calculated incorrectly
Most office decisions don't fail because of rent.
They fail because of what doesn't show up when compared to costs.
They fail because of what doesn't show up when compared to costs.
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Cost reduced to rent
Many comparisons equate rental price with total costs. The gross rent is only part of the costs.
Operation, maintenance, adjustments and more are often ignored or underestimated.
A cheap price per square meter
It says little about the real cost burden.
Operation, maintenance, adjustments and more are often ignored or underestimated.
A cheap price per square meter
It says little about the real cost burden.
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Your time remains unrated
Office decisions not only result in rental costs, but also tie up internal resources on a permanent basis.
Search, expansion, coordination and operation require management, IT and administration.
This time rarely appears in calculations, but it has a direct effect on focus and efficiency.
Search, expansion, coordination and operation require management, IT and administration.
This time rarely appears in calculations, but it has a direct effect on focus and efficiency.
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Costs arise with a time delay
Many relevant costs do not arise when moving in, but spread over the term.
Retrofitting, modifications or area adjustments are often ignored in the initial calculation.
If you only look at the start,
significantly underestimates the total costs.
Retrofitting, modifications or area adjustments are often ignored in the initial calculation.
If you only look at the start,
significantly underestimates the total costs.
Coworking capital vs. self-research:
Which path suits you?
The following calculation shows the real running costs for a traditional office under normal market conditions.
Ownership vs. use:
Comparing two cost logics
Why a classic office is more economically equivalent to buying a car and Flex Office is more like a leasing or subscription model
THE “OWNERSHIP MODEL” (CLASSIC OFFICE)
High capital investment at the start
Expansion, technology and installation immediately tie up liquidity.
Expansion, technology and installation immediately tie up liquidity.
Lower running costs are deceptive
Repairs, maintenance and adjustments are added irregularly.
Repairs, maintenance and adjustments are added irregularly.
Personal responsibility for everything
Operation, organization and problems are entirely up to the user.
Operation, organization and problems are entirely up to the user.
Time lost in case of malfunctions
Failures mean coordination, organization and internal expenses.
Failures mean coordination, organization and internal expenses.
Difficult to correct in case of wrong decisions
Terms and investments can hardly be flexibly adjusted.
Terms and investments can hardly be flexibly adjusted.
THE “USAGE MODEL” (FLEX OFFICE)
Low start-up effort
Hardly any capital commitment, quick start, clear framework conditions.
Hardly any capital commitment, quick start, clear framework conditions.
Fixed, predictable monthly costs
Operations, technology and service are included.
Operations, technology and service are included.
Outsourced risks
Maintenance, failures and operation are the responsibility of the provider.
Maintenance, failures and operation are the responsibility of the provider.
Saving time in everyday life
Focus remains on core business rather than organization.
Focus remains on core business rather than organization.
Adaptable when there is a change
Growth or downsizing is part of the model.
Growth or downsizing is part of the model.
Why experience is crucial when making office decisions
At first glance, office decisions appear comparable. In practice, however, they differ in detail and that is exactly where the biggest mistakes arise.
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Identify patterns early & avoid errors
Many problems follow recurring patterns.
Areas that become too small faster than planned. Contracts that promise flexibility but do not deliver on them.
Experience means identifying these patterns before they create costs.
Areas that become too small faster than planned. Contracts that promise flexibility but do not deliver on them.
Experience means identifying these patterns before they create costs.
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Identify differences and classify them correctly
Offers can be compared, markets cannot.
There are differences between operators, concepts and contract logics that only become apparent in everyday life.
Experience helps to realistically assess these differences.
There are differences between operators, concepts and contract logics that only become apparent in everyday life.
Experience helps to realistically assess these differences.
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Assess decisions over the long term
A good office decision doesn't just work when you move in.
It must remain sustainable even when growing, changing or correcting.
Experience means looking at decisions over their entire duration.
It must remain sustainable even when growing, changing or correcting.
Experience means looking at decisions over their entire duration.
Let's find your new office
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+9 years of market experience
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