15 questions to ask on a coworking space tour

A coworking tour is usually led by someone whose job is to sign you up, so it naturally shows the space at its best. That is fine, as long as you use the visit to ask the questions that reveal how the space works on an ordinary Tuesday afternoon. Here are fifteen questions, grouped by theme, with notes on what a good answer sounds like. Print them or keep them on your phone and write the answers down as you go.

Money and contracts

1. What exactly is included in the monthly fee, and what costs extra? Get specifics on meeting room hours, printing, parking, tea and coffee, lockers and guest passes. A good answer is a written price sheet.
2. What are the lock-in, notice period and deposit? Ask for numbers, not "standard terms". Then ask how and when the deposit is refunded. Our article on deposits and lock-ins helps you judge the answer.
3. How often do prices go up, and by how much? If renewal increases are written into the agreement, you can plan for them.
4. Do you issue GST invoices in our business name? If you are registered, this affects whether you can claim input tax credit.

Internet, power and comfort

1. What internet connection do you have, and is there a backup line from a different provider? Two lines from two providers are better than one large line. Ask to run a speed test on the guest network during your visit.
2. What happens when the power goes? Ask whether the whole floor, including AC, runs on backup, or only lights and sockets. Our guide on testing internet and power backup explains how to check this yourself.
3. Who controls the air conditioning? In open areas it is usually central. In cabins, ask whether you have your own control.
4. Where can I take calls? Count the phone booths and look at how many people are in the open area. If every booth is occupied during your tour, that is your answer.

Rooms and access

1. How are meeting rooms booked, and how far in advance are they usually full? Ask to see the booking calendar for the coming week. Rooms that are fully booked every afternoon will not be available when you need them.
2. What are the access hours, and how does after-hours entry work? If you work late or on weekends, check whether AC, internet and security are actually available then, not just the door.
3. Can guests and clients visit freely? Ask about guest registration, any guest fees and whether reception will receive visitors on your behalf.

People and safety

1. Who else works here? You are not asking for names, just the mix. A space full of sales teams on calls will feel very different from one full of designers wearing headphones.
2. What security is in place? Look for access control, CCTV in common areas, a visitor log and staff at reception. If safety is a priority for you, ask specifically about late-hours staffing and how complaints are handled.
3. Who do I contact when something breaks, and how quickly is it fixed? Ask for the name of the community or facility manager and their hours.

Leaving

1. What does the exit process look like? Ask what you must return, how long the deposit refund takes, and, if you use the address for registration, how long mail is held after you leave.

What to look at without asking

Some things are better observed than asked:

• Washrooms. Their condition at the end of the day says a lot about housekeeping.
• Chairs. Sit in one for five minutes. Adjustable height and lumbar support matter over a full day; an uncomfortable chair becomes a daily problem.
• Plug points. Count them along the desks you would use.
• Noise. Stand in the open area quietly for a minute and listen.
• Fire exits. Check they are marked and not blocked by storage.
• Pantry. Is it clean, stocked, and far enough from the desks?

Recording what you find

If you tour three or four spaces in a week, they blur together. Use a simple scorecard:

On Coworks you can shortlist up to four coworking spaces and line them up on compare before you visit, which makes it easier to plan the tours and note the differences. When you are ready, take the answers to your agreement and check them against our clause-by-clause checklist.

Bring a colleague if you can

If you are choosing for a team, take one other person along. They will notice things you miss, and you can compare impressions on the way back. If that is not possible, take a few photographs (with permission) of the seating area, meeting rooms and pantry so you can recall each space accurately later.

One final tip

Ask the person showing you around whether you can sit and work for an hour after the tour. A space that is confident in its product will usually say yes, and an hour at a real desk will answer questions you did not think to ask.