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By Larry Maurer, Workhorse Coworking Owner
You’re staring down two paths for your growing business. One leads to a traditional office lease—complete with buildout headaches, long-term commitments, and the nagging worry about whether you’ll still need all that space in two years. The other leads to coworking, which sounds appealing but raises questions about whether you’re just paying for coffee and community.
I’m in a unique position to have several perspectives on this question. Four years ago, I signed a seven-year lease and dove headfirst into a buildout that I’ve almost got paid off. I’m also the owner of an office building. In March of 2020, I opened Workhorse Coworking in my building in Edmonds. Finally, I have a son who works as a tenant representative in Bellevue/Seattle. After many conversations about his clients’ confusion around this decision, I decided to sit down and write my first blog. This article contrasts the two paths in an effort to give businesses the tools they need to make the best choice on a space that will put them in a position to succeed.
Here’s what I’ve learned about each route—and why the answer isn’t always what you’d expect.
Why Coworking Often Wins (Even When You Think It Won’t)
You Can Scale Without Panic
Remember when your team was three people, and now it’s eight? Or when you thought you’d need that extra conference room daily, but it sits empty most weeks? Coworking spaces let you mix and match—Hot Desks when you’re testing the waters, Dedicated Desks when you need consistency, Private Offices when you need a bigger daily space with an Edmonds mailing (and physical!) address. Your space grows and shrinks with your company’s needs, not your best-case scenario projections.
A Productive First Day
Walk into a traditional office on day one of your lease, and you’re probably staring at empty walls and questioning whether the internet will work. Walk into a coworking space, and you’re answering emails within the hour. The fiber internet is already humming, the furniture is positioned the way you like it, and someone else figured out the lighting that doesn’t make you look like you’re still working from your basement.
The Amenities You Didn’t Know You Needed
It’s not about the kombucha on tap (though that’s nice). It’s about not having to coordinate with three different vendors when the coffee machine breaks, or not discovering at 7 p.m. that you’re out of printer paper and everything’s closed. Cleaning, kitchen supplies, meeting room tech that works when it’s supposed to (most of the time)—these details add up to hours of your week you can spend on your business, not on your business space.
Meeting Rooms That Don’t Require A Call To IT
You know that feeling when you’re setting up for an important client presentation and realize the conference room monitor needs three different adapters, two software updates, and a call to IT just to display your laptop screen? Coworking spaces eliminate these headaches. The tech is already installed and tested. Large monitors connect seamlessly, whiteboards aren’t ghosted with permanent marker, and booking systems work without requiring troubleshooting sessions.
Secure Spaces
Sound abatement to prevent your competitor from overhearing your strategy calls. Video security that doesn’t require you to scroll through grainy footage when something goes missing. 24/7 access with codes that work every time—not just when the building manager remembers to reset the system.
The Community Effect Is Real
This isn’t about forced networking events with name tags. It’s about the creative agency owner two desks over, who knows a great accountant, the consultant who’s dealt with your exact client challenge, and the informal conversations that lead to referrals, partnerships, or just sanity checks when you’re stuck on a problem.
When a Traditional Lease Still Makes Sense
Some businesses genuinely need the traditional route. If you’re handling sensitive medical data, building specialized equipment, or your company absolutely requires a custom environment, a lease might be your only option. If you have dedicated staff to manage facility logistics and a crystal-clear 10-year vision, traditional space can work.
But be honest about this. Do you really need a custom buildout, or do you just think successful businesses are supposed to have one?
Let’s Look at The Numbers
Predictable Costs That Stay Predictable
Traditional leases come with surprise maintenance costs, utility fluctuations, and moments when you realize no one budgeted for replacing the HVAC system. Our coworking space gives you one number that covers everything. Your accountant will thank you.
Speed to Revenue
Every month you spend coordinating contractors is a month you’re not fully focused on clients or customers. Coworking spaces let you start earning from day one instead of hemorrhaging cash while waiting for permits and furniture deliveries.
Coworking = Flexibility
Business rarely goes according to plan. Markets shift, teams change, opportunities appear in different cities. Coworking memberships adapt to your reality instead of locking you into what you thought you wanted two years ago.
A Real Decision Point
Recently, I worked with an East Coast business owner who was looking at a 1,500-square-foot space near shops and restaurants. Good location, landlord handling the buildout, and even a reasonable one-year lease. On paper, it looked like a great deal.
But when we mapped out the total costs—not just rent, but furniture, internet, cleaning, utilities, insurance, maintenance—and considered their growth trajectory and need for agility, coworking made more financial sense. More importantly, it made more strategic sense. They could test their market, scale their team, and pivot their model without being anchored to a space that might not fit their business six months later.
If You’re Choosing Between a Lease and Coworking, Consider:
Location
Can your team get there easily? Can clients find you without GPS adventures? Are there places to grab lunch that don’t involve a 20-minute drive?
Flexibility
How quickly can you scale up when you land that big contract? How painful is it to scale down if you need to adjust? What are the real penalties and notice periods?
Logistics
What internet speed do you get, not what’s promised? Who handles cleaning, and how often? Can you access the space at 6 a.m. or 10 p.m. when deadlines loom? Are meeting rooms available when you need them?
Community
Visit during different times of day. Is the energy level compatible with how your team works? Are there businesses that complement yours, or will you feel out of place?
True Total Cost
Add up everything—deposits, service charges, parking, utilities, insurance, maintenance, furniture. What’s the real monthly commitment?
Real Testimonials from Coworking Members
“Workhorse’s private offices give us the privacy we need when dealing with confidential communications, while the shared space provides camaraderie, and it’s energizing to be surrounded by people who are passionately pursuing their goals!” – Cheryl F.
“Investing in a dedicated desk at a coworking space was one of the best decisions of the year. I underestimated how lonely I was working at home and the impact of networking with IRL humans. It changed the game to separate work and home more…and even improved my marriage” – Julee Y.
Your Next Step
If you’re wrestling with this decision, start with the real questions: What does your business really need, not what you think it should need? How certain are you about your space requirements in 12 months? What’s your risk tolerance for being locked into a commitment that might not fit your evolving reality?
The right answer isn’t always coworking, but it’s often more practical than business owners initially assume. Your energy is often better spent growing your business than managing a building.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly does a coworking membership include? Most include desk space, high-speed internet, printing, kitchen access, cleaning, and meeting room hours. At Workhorse, you also get 24/7 access, parking, and regular community events.
Can I really scale my membership as my team grows? Yes—you can upgrade from a Hot Desk to a Dedicated Desk to a Private Office as needed. Most changes can happen monthly, not annually.
Is 24/7 access really available at Workhorse Edmonds? Absolutely. Your code works any time, any day. No waiting for building management or restricted hours.
How does coworking cost compare to a traditional lease in Edmonds for startups? When you factor in all costs—utilities, internet, furniture, cleaning, maintenance—coworking often costs the same or less, with significantly more flexibility.
What if coworking doesn’t work out? Most coworking spaces have month-to-month or short-term commitment options. Much easier to exit than a multi-year lease. Reach out and come in for a tour to chat more about it. Ready to see if Workhorse Coworking fits your business? Book a free day to experience the space and community firsthand. Or check out our flexible membership plans to find the right fit for your team’s needs.
