What is CoWorking? (7 Benefits of Coworking and 11 Coworking Hidden Costs)


This single word isn’t merely something that can be characterized in a sentence. Coworking is a development. A pattern that took birth in San Fransisco during the year 2005 is presently picking up fame over the globe. 

But, what is CoWorking?  Coworking is the use of an office or workplace infrastructure by people who are self-employed, freelancers, or working for different employers, typically to share equipment, ideas, and knowledge. If we combine co and work, it becomes co-work, which is a method of collaborating with others.“Coworking” is made of 2 words “co” and “work.” We should take a look at the lexicon importance of both these words.

Co = Together with others.

Work = Means of earning a living, a job.

Coworking is alluded to working together under one roof while utilizing similar assets yet for various companies.

Coworking is a style of work where individuals share a typical office for their free movement.

Numerous people in this world work as specialists. On the off chance that we talk about a specific city, there may be a considerable number of individuals working as specialists from their separate homes.

Coworking is an option in contrast to working from home where individuals don’t feel confined and can avoid diversions.

This concept of coworking has helped a large number of individuals around the globe to expand profitability and connect like-minded leaders.

Coworking has brought forth communities and qualities that help people develop.

(Check out Coworking locations listed on Open Sourced WorkplaceCLICK HEREOpens in a new tab.)

Since we know the fundamental meaning of what is coworking, how you define Coworking may be different from how others see it. Check out our Glossary for other Coworking definiations, “What is Coworking?”Opens in a new tab.

7 Benefits of Coworking

  • 1. Productivity and Efficiency
  • 2. Community/Networking
  • 3. New Business
  • 4. Increased Wellness
  • 5. Diversity
  • 6. Cost-Efficient
  • 7. Adaptability

Irrespective of whether you prefer a private office, secluded work area or coworking, innovative shared-office spaces enhance business development, commendable effect, and expanded productivity. While we could continue forever about the upsides of coworking spaces, here are seven advantages to remember whether you’re considering coworking participation or office space.

1. Productivity and Efficiency

Imagine a situation without the stuffiness of corporate office space yet, at the same time, more structure than your home office. Sounds flawless, isn’t that so? That is the thing that innovative coworking space provides. Fewer customs and diversions, higher efficiency. Being encompassed by other hardworking experts like you can likewise give you that additional increase in inspiration. You’ll additionally have access to completely prepared conference rooms that will enable you to create the best impression all while expanding your efficiency.

2. Community/Networking

Being a small business or freelancer can be troublesome when you don’t have a feeling of community. With coworking spaces, you can even now work independently from anyone else yet, not the only one. You’ll be acquainted with numerous people that can fill in as resource persons.

3. New Business

Not exclusively do coworking spaces encourage an incredible feeling of community. However, they reinforce business by cultivating connections. Numerous co-working individuals and occupants have seen a noteworthy increment in new customers because of the connections they’ve built up at their work environment. Coworking spaces give your business more introduction to various gathering of potential customers. It’s additionally an incredible method to discover new individuals to work with. That Mobile Software Developer you’ve been searching for may very well be sitting beside you!

4. Increased Wellness

We, as a whole, know the significance of a work-life balance, yet lamentably a great deal of the modern work environments don’t have a domain to help that. With conveniences that support a stable work-life balance, for example, on location yoga studios, free beer, and snacks,  being pet-friendly, you’re ready to carry out your responsibility in a more beneficial, increasingly loosened up condition.

5. Diversity

In contrast to a customary office, coworking spaces consist of individuals and occupants working for numerous companies. This exciting condition offers you a chance to assemble understanding and collaborate with similarly invested experts in various businesses. Coworking spaces commonly observe the less immediate competition and more collaboration.

6. Cost-Efficient

Maintaining an independent company or outsourcing would already be able to have many overhead costs. Becoming a part or inhabitant of a coworking space is a simple method to take out a considerable lot of those. No compelling reason to stress over extra service bills or service providers. All that you need is prepared for you, bring your PC!

7. Adaptability

Numerous new organizations or freelancers aren’t ready to completely commit to long office leases or stores. With different participation choices, you can pick what works for you and your business. Go month-to-month or even day by day on the off chance that you’d like. Individuals from coworking spaces additionally have the adaptability to set their calendar and work when they like — no compelling reason to work around certain working hours or another person’s timetable. Has Coworking Transcended The Effectiveness Of The Traditional Office Environment?Opens in a new tab. Find out!

11 Coworking Hidden Costs

  • 1. Commuting
  • 2. The Child and Pet Care
  • 3. Food and Drink
  • 4. Socializing
  • 5. Capacity
  • 6. Innovation and Electronics
  • 7. Office Services
  • 8. Office Supplies
  • 9. Clothing
  • 10. Treating the Sniffles
  • 11. Taxes

While coworking can be a convenient and cost-viable option in contrast to working from home or leasing a commercial office, it’s essential to know about a portion of the not precisely evident costs of working in a shared space. Of course, in case you’re accustomed to working in a conventional office, these costs probably won’t be so “covered up,” however if you’ve been working from home, at that point encountering (or re-encountering) a portion of these costs may find you napping.

1. Commuting

Except if your coworking space is inside strolling separation of your home, you have to account for commuting costs. These shifts, yet incorporate the cost of gas,  public transport costs, and automobile maintenance. Commuting additionally adds unpaid time to your workday. What’s more, contingent upon the stopping circumstance at your coworking space, you may need to pay parking expenses, as well.

2. The Child and Pet Care

Peradventure you intend to work all day outside your home, you may need to pay for pet sitting services or childcare services.

3. Food and Drink

When working from home, you have your kitchen, coffeemaker, and staple goods available to you. In case you work away from home and don’t crave putting together a lunch each day, you’ll have to purchase microwavable courses to store at the workplace, or pay for snacks at neighborhood eateries. Staying juiced is another issue: Some coworking workplaces give hot water for tea, basic coffee, yet the alarm melody of a nearby Starbucks or independent roaster may draw you from your work area more frequently than you’d like. Sadly, the cost of those lattes includes rapidly.

4. Socializing

Regardless of whether you’re mindful of putting together your lunch every day, and you adhere to the coffee from the workplace K-cup machine, agreeable officemates may in any case request that you lunch, coffee, or after-work drinks. In case you’re a singular sort, or couldn’t care less about networking, turning down these offers may not be an issue. Nevertheless, if you like to mingle, feel free to recalculate your amusement budget to accommodate these networking exercises.

5. Capacity

Some coworking spaces lease extra closets to individuals who don’t have a perpetual work area. The preferred position to storage rental is that you don’t need to pull your workstation and different gadgets home every night. The drawback is that the lease is an extra cost.

6. Innovation and Electronics

Coworking spaces don’t, as a rule, incorporate access to a computer. In addition to your PC, you will need to come with additional gadgets you will like to utilize, for example, a huge screen, ergonomic console, or trackball. While pulling these things to and from work every day is a plausibility (as is overlooking them at home), you may be better off to spare yourself the problem by obtaining a second set of peripherals for the work environment.

7. Office Services

Not all coworking spaces are made the same. A few workplaces offer free utilization of the conventional copier/printer/fax machine, while others may charge you for this utilization. Thus, a few workplaces incorporate the cost of WiFi in the lease, while others charge extra for connectivity, or expect you to supply your very own hotspot for security reasons. It’s critical to know precisely what your lease covers before consenting to an arrangement so you can account for any additional costs.

8. Office Supplies

Plan to buy your very own pens, envelopes, staples, paperclips, and other standard supplies.

9. Clothing

Coworking implies you can never again work in your nightgown with a wreck of uncombed hair. While most workplaces don’t endorse a clothing standard, there’s a general desire that individuals show up pulled-together and respectable. Also, commuting to work expands the mileage on your apparel and shoes as you fearless the components. Get ready to stock up your wardrobe and personal grooming spending plan once you sign on for coworking.

10. Treating the Sniffles

On the off chance that you’ve at any point worked in an office, you most likely have not affectionate recollections of colds, flu, and different sicknesses that intermittently assumed control over the working environment. Sadly, shared workspace means shared germs, so set up your insusceptible framework for an awful stun.

11. Taxes

Coworking participation charges or lease might be tax-deductible, yet so are home office costs. Converse with your tax guide to decide if changing to a coworking space will influence your tax risk, and in case that it does, by how much.

Also, read an article we have written – How to Protect A Corporate Culture When Using CoWorking.Opens in a new tab.

(Check out Coworking locations listed on Open Sourced Workplace – CLICK HEREOpens in a new tab.)

Relates Questions

What are the benefits of CoWorking?  Coworking or innovative shared-office spaces enhance business development, commendable effect, and expanded productivity. It also encourages collaboration.

What are the CoWorking Hidden Costs?  While coworking can be a convenient and cost-viable option in contrast to working from home, hidden costs such as childcare or petcare cost exist.


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Steve Todd

Steve Todd, founder of Open Sourced Workplace and is a recognized thought leader in workplace strategy and the future of work. With a passion for work from anywhere, Steve has successfully implemented transformative strategies that enhance productivity and employee satisfaction. Through Open Sourced Workplace, he fosters collaboration among HR, facilities management, technology, and real estate professionals, providing valuable insights and resources. As a speaker and contributor to various publications, Steve remains dedicated to staying at the forefront of workplace innovation, helping organizations thrive in today's dynamic work environment.

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