Starting an office search can feel daunting and stressful. But just like the endless options of workspaces out there, there are loads of ways to lock down the perfect space for your team.
Like…working with an office broker, for example.
In this quick article, Hubble breaks down what an office broker actually does—and why using one might be the smartest move for your office search.
- What is an office broker?
- What services do office brokers provide?
- What are the pros of using an office broker?
- What are the cons of using an office broker?
- How can you find an office broker you can trust?
- How Hubble can help
What is an office broker?
Brokers are like office matchmakers. They work with you—the client—and the office space provider to find the ideal workspace that meets your teams’ requirements and preferences.
The service is usually free, so you won’t pay a penny to find an office through them. Instead, the broker earns a fee from the workspace provider, like WeWork or Uncommon.
So, what services do office brokers provide?
What services do office brokers provide?
Office brokers tend to provide alternatives to traditional long-term leases by offering flexible, short-term solutions. These include:
- Serviced Offices: Ready-to-use spaces accessible every day of the work week (full-time offices) or for the same 1-3 days per week (part-time offices).
- Managed Offices: Private, customisable spaces tailored to tenant needs and fitted by the provider.
These flexible solutions allow companies to scale their office space up or down depending on their needs and make quick changes without hefty exit fees or disruptions.
What are the pros of using an office broker?
1) Brokers have full market access
If you decided to ‘do it alone’ and hunt for an office yourself, you’d have a lot on your plate.
Not only would you be sifting through hundreds of options, trying to decode what each provider actually offers, but you’d also have to reach out to each one to check what’s available.
In short, it’s a lot of legwork. And when you’re already juggling a full-time job and personal life, it can feel pretty overwhelming.
Brokers, however, know the market like the back of their hand. With their finger on the pulse of all available offices, they make it easy to match you with a space that fits your needs.
This saves you time, reduces stress, and frees up your mental energy for what matters most!
2) Brokers do the legwork on your behalf
In addition to having unrivalled access to the office space market, brokers can also handle all the logistics and organisation for you—saving you even more time and stress.
They can pull together a shortlist of office recommendations that match your needs, so you don’t have to juggle thousands of options.
They can even set up a viewing schedule for you, sparing you the headache of juggling calendars!
3) Brokers have plenty of market knowledge
Working with a broker gives you an insider look into the office space industry.
Backed by a team of workspace experts, they bring extensive experience connecting clients with providers to secure the ideal office.
For example, Hubble has a combined industry knowledge of 25 years, so you can rest assured your office search journey will be steered by advisors who navigate the market like seasoned captains.
Also, advisors work solely on your behalf — offering unbiased, “provider-agnostic” advice to cut through the hard sell.
They’ll guide you on market trends, recommend the best-suited providers, and even tip you off about offices about to hit the market.
4) Brokers have strong relationships with provider
Workspace experts often have strong relationships with top providers in the market, including major players like WeWork, Knotel, and Fora, as well as independents like Second Home and Uncommon.
This makes the entire process a lot smoother for you, allowing them to quickly gather the information you need and negotiate the best price on your behalf. They can even manage all the back-and-forth with providers!
What are the potential cons of using an office broker?
1) Risk of third party sharing
Unfortunately, some brokers pass your details to third parties, which may leave you swamped with calls and emails from companies you’d rather avoid.
2) Risk of hidden pricing and fees
Some brokers may withhold accurate information and pricing upfront, forcing you to jump through hoops just to get the details you need.
3) Risk of outdated listings
Some providers rely on outdated listings as a ‘bait and switch’ tactic. This means they’ll showcase appealing offers that are no longer available, only to push you toward something less desirable instead.
4) Concerns over market access
Some brokers don’t cover the entire market. Ideally, you’ll want a broker with contracts across all UK flex spaces, including managed operators, to ensure you have access to every option.
How to find an office broker you can trust
So, how can you, as someone tasked with an office move, avoid the pitfalls of an untrustworthy broker? What are the telltale signs of a broker you can rely on?
Luckily, there are some easy steps you can take to ensure you’re working with a broker you can trust:
- Do your due diligence and research the company extensively
- Look up Trustpilot or Google reviews to gauge customer satisfaction levels
Then, scour the website for green and red flags. For example:
- Is there a live chat feature?
- Is the website usable and easy to navigate?
- Have the listings got clear and up-to-date images?
At Hubble, we’re all about making your office search easy, not stressful.
Our flexible workspace platform showcases only genuine listings with clear, upfront pricing and accurate information.
Plus, we’ll never share your details with third parties, and our advice is always honest and pressure-free.
Want to find your next office with Hubble?
If you’re ready to partner with a broker for your next office search, Hubble is here to help.
For over 10 years, we’ve helped thousands of businesses find great spaces for their teams. Our easy-to-use platform offers three flexible workspace solutions to fit your needs:
While you browse, create shortlists, and book viewings, our expert Tenant Advisors work behind the scenes—sending tailored recommendations, attending viewings, and negotiating the best deals on your behalf, all at no cost to you.
Don’t believe us? See what our customers have to say on Trustpilot!
