# Coworking Space Founders- How much does it cost to start a space? **URL:** \ **Category:** Expenses\ **Created:** [January 31, 2011, 4:33am UTC](https://forum.coworking.org/t/coworking-space-founders-how-much-does-it-cost-to-start-a-space/2977 "2011-01-31T04:33:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Michael](https://forum.coworking.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Michael](https://forum.coworking.org/u/Michael)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2011, 4:33am UTC](https://forum.coworking.org/t/coworking-space-founders-how-much-does-it-cost-to-start-a-space/2977/1 "2011-01-31T04:33:23Z")
I was thinking about writing a blog article about the costs of starting a coworking space on my website and I thought what the hell? Why not just start a thread here and get actual feedback from people who have been through all this before. This way i can get some great material for a killer blog post and this can also be an informative thread for people who are thinking about opening their own coworking space. So here are my questions for anyone who has started a coworking space : 1)How much did it cost you to start your community coworking space? 2)What was the cost breakdown? 3)Were there any surprise costs which you never considered? 4)If you has to do it again how would you spend differently? 5)What were your smartest cost saving measures? 6)What is your biggest on-going cost? Please add any more questions you can think of! > **···** > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > Advertise your coworking spaces for FREE > [http://www.myecodesk.com](http://www.myecodesk.com) ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Speranza](https://forum.coworking.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/48db29/32.png) [@Jack\_Speranza](https://forum.coworking.org/u/Jack_Speranza)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2011, 3:29pm UTC](https://forum.coworking.org/t/coworking-space-founders-how-much-does-it-cost-to-start-a-space/2977/2 "2011-01-31T15:29:14Z")
Hi Michael -- I suspect the responses you're going to get on this will be wide ranging -- and they should be, as start-up costs will very much be a function of the location, size and objectives of each space. Also, you're going to need to translate the info you get into "apples to apples" comparisons for the data to be valid... for example, many folks who don't come at this from a business / accounting background will attribute both capital and operating expenses to "costs." In terms of my own space, I have chosen to bootstrap my endeavor. Consequently, my initial capital investment was limited, and I am using operational revenues to pay for additional capital needs as the community grows. I did not have to undertake any leasehold improvements in my space. A portion of my furnishings and equipment were cannibalized from another business, and IKEA is my friend for what I have opted to purchase. My total investment for capital items thus far is under $1,750 for a 1,000 square foot suburban space outside of Boston that maxes out at 10 concurrent users. Do you consider ongoing "costs" for marketing and sales-related activities part of the information you're looking to collect? If so, then how would you like to measure these (annualized gross costs or in some other fashion)? My pre-opening marketing expenses were very limited -- about $250 for some flyers, brochures and digital ads. As of the end of January, my space will have been operating for 4 months. In terms of operational performance, we're almost at break- even (and even that's a bit misleading, as I haven't really been marketing aggressively). Hope this is helpful. Jack > **···** > > ---------------------------------------------- > Jack Speranza > Principal, Main Street Ventures > 15 Main Street, 2nd Floor > Hopkinton, MA 01748 > T: 508.858.5440 x101 > F: 508.858.5441 > Toll Free: 866.472.1035 > > > **[Home](https://www.mainstreetventures.com/)** > > > **[ZenBungalow.com is for sale | HugeDomains](https://www.hugedomains.com/domain_profile.cfm?d=zenbungalow.com)** > > > > Extensive selection of high-quality domain names. Knowledgeable, friendly customer support. > > ---------------------------------------------- > > On Jan 30, 11:33 pm, Michael \ wrote: > > > I was thinking about writing a blog article about the costs of > > starting a coworking space on my website and I thought what the hell? > > Why not just start a thread here and get actual feedback from people > > who have been through all this before. This way i can get some great > > material for a killer blog post and this can also be an informative > > thread for people who are thinking about opening their own coworking > > space. > > > > So here are my questions for anyone who has started a coworking > > space : > > > > 1)How much did it cost you to start your community coworking space? > > > > 2)What was the cost breakdown? > > > > 3)Were there any surprise costs which you never considered? > > > > 4)If you has to do it again how would you spend differently? > > > > 5)What were your smartest cost saving measures? > > > > 6)What is your biggest on-going cost? > > > > Please add any more questions you can think of! > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Advertise your coworking spaces for FREEhttp://www.myecodesk.com ---
**Author:** ![Blair\_Gordon](https://forum.coworking.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/a6a055/32.png) [@Blair\_Gordon](https://forum.coworking.org/u/Blair_Gordon)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2011, 3:38pm UTC](https://forum.coworking.org/t/coworking-space-founders-how-much-does-it-cost-to-start-a-space/2977/3 "2011-01-31T15:38:17Z")
I am in the process of getting everything squared away for our space and I too have found Ikea to be our best friend when it comes to a bootstrapped budget. I think the approx cost for a desk, chair, chair mat and storage was $250 or something like that and they look 10 times better than anything else. If anyone has advice for me i appreciate it Blair MindWorx CoWorx ---
**Author:** ![alex](https://forum.coworking.org/user_avatar/forum.coworking.org/alex/32/338_2.png) [@alex](https://forum.coworking.org/u/alex)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2011, 3:43pm UTC](https://forum.coworking.org/t/coworking-space-founders-how-much-does-it-cost-to-start-a-space/2977/4 "2011-01-31T15:43:07Z")
We shared a detailed “by the numbers” post for Indy Hall with Gigaom - and then on our own blog - that you should be able to glean your numbers from: [http://www.indyhall.org/blog/2010/08/06/indy-hall-by-the-numbers/](http://www.indyhall.org/blog/2010/08/06/indy-hall-by-the-numbers/) Our smartest cost-saving measure was including our members in our buildout process. We saved immensely on human labor for things like painting and running network wires because members had interest in contributing to the space construction - not only did this save us money, but it gave those members an immensely strong bond to the space, and a sense of ownership that is unparalleled. That process has saved us upfront costs as well as long-term administrative costs, all of which allow us to keep our monthly rates ridiculously low. -Alex /ah [indyhall.org](http://indyhall.org) coworking in philadelphia > **···** > > On Sun, Jan 30, 2011 at 11:33 PM, Michael [con...@gmail.com](mailto:con...@gmail.com) wrote: > > > I was thinking about writing a blog article about the costs of > > > > starting a coworking space on my website and I thought what the hell? > > > > Why not just start a thread here and get actual feedback from people > > > > who have been through all this before. This way i can get some great > > > > material for a killer blog post and this can also be an informative > > > > thread for people who are thinking about opening their own coworking > > > > space. > > > > So here are my questions for anyone who has started a coworking > > > > space : > > > > 1)How much did it cost you to start your community coworking space? > > > > 2)What was the cost breakdown? > > > > 3)Were there any surprise costs which you never considered? > > > > 4)If you has to do it again how would you spend differently? > > > > 5)What were your smartest cost saving measures? > > > > 6)What is your biggest on-going cost? > > > > Please add any more questions you can think of! > > > > * * * > > > > Advertise your coworking spaces for FREE > > > > [http://www.myecodesk.com](http://www.myecodesk.com) > > > > – > > > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups “Coworking” group. > > > > To post to this group, send email to [cowo...@googlegroups.com](mailto:cowo...@googlegroups.com). > > > > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [coworking+...@googlegroups.com](mailto:coworking+...@googlegroups.com). > > > > For more options, visit this group at [http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en](http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en). ---
**Author:** ![Michael](https://forum.coworking.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Michael](https://forum.coworking.org/u/Michael)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 11:12am UTC](https://forum.coworking.org/t/coworking-space-founders-how-much-does-it-cost-to-start-a-space/2977/5 "2011-02-01T11:12:22Z")
Hey Thanks for the link Alex. I am reading your post now and it is really detailed. Thanks for pointing it to me, it is a good breakdown. > **···** > > On Jan 31, 11:43 pm, Alex Hillman \ wrote: > > > We shared a detailed "by the numbers" post for Indy Hall with Gigaom - and > > then on our own blog - that you should be able to glean your numbers from: > > > > [http://www.indyhall.org/blog/2010/08/06/indy-hall-by-the-numbers/](http://www.indyhall.org/blog/2010/08/06/indy-hall-by-the-numbers/) > > > > Our smartest cost-saving measure was including our members in our buildout > > process. We saved immensely on human labor for things like painting and > > running network wires because members had interest in contributing to the > > space construction - not only did this save us money, but it gave those > > members an immensely strong bond to the space, and a sense of ownership that > > is unparalleled. That process has saved us upfront costs as well as > > long-term administrative costs, all of which allow us to keep our monthly > > rates ridiculously low. > > > > -Alex > > > > /ah > > indyhall.org > > coworking in philadelphia > > > > On Sun, Jan 30, 2011 at 11:33 PM, Michael \ wrote: > > \> I was thinking about writing a blog article about the costs of > > \> starting a coworking space on my website and I thought what the hell? > > \> Why not just start a thread here and get actual feedback from people > > \> who have been through all this before. This way i can get some great > > \> material for a killer blog post and this can also be an informative > > \> thread for people who are thinking about opening their own coworking > > \> space. > > > > \> So here are my questions for anyone who has started a coworking > > \> space : > > > > \> 1)How much did it cost you to start your community coworking space? > > > > \> 2)What was the cost breakdown? > > > > \> 3)Were there any surprise costs which you never considered? > > > > \> 4)If you has to do it again how would you spend differently? > > > > \> 5)What were your smartest cost saving measures? > > > > \> 6)What is your biggest on-going cost? > > > > \> Please add any more questions you can think of! > > > > \> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > \> Advertise your coworking spaces for FREE > > \>[http://www.myecodesk.com](http://www.myecodesk.com) > > > > \> -- > > \> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > > \> "Coworking" group. > > \> To post to this group, send email to cowo...@googlegroups.com. > > \> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > > \> coworking+...@googlegroups.com\ > > \> . > > \> For more options, visit this group at > > \>[http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en\](http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en%5C). ---
**Author:** ![Michael](https://forum.coworking.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Michael](https://forum.coworking.org/u/Michael)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 11:13am UTC](https://forum.coworking.org/t/coworking-space-founders-how-much-does-it-cost-to-start-a-space/2977/6 "2011-02-01T11:13:32Z")
Hey Blair, thanks for your feedback. How many people have contributed to building and financing the construction of your space? > **···** > > On Jan 31, 11:38 pm, Blair Gordon \ wrote: > > > I am in the process of getting everything squared away for our space and I > > too have found Ikea to be our best friend when it comes to a bootstrapped > > budget. I think the approx cost for a desk, chair, chair mat and storage > > was $250 or something like that and they look 10 times better than anything > > else. > > If anyone has advice for me i appreciate it > > > > Blair > > MindWorx CoWorx ---
**Author:** ![Michael](https://forum.coworking.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Michael](https://forum.coworking.org/u/Michael)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 11:26am UTC](https://forum.coworking.org/t/coworking-space-founders-how-much-does-it-cost-to-start-a-space/2977/7 "2011-02-01T11:26:01Z")
Hey Jack, Thanks for your detailed response, I really appreciate it. Right now I am looking to write something which is more of a helpful article, rather than anything too scholarly. I understand that when it comes to opening up a coworking space many factors (location;time;size of community etc.) will effect how much it is going to cost to set up. I would like to give the would-be coworking space founder a simple idea of what kind of costs are expected when opening up a coworking space. It is always great to have some examples from people who have experience doing it and I thank you, Alex and Blair for giving them. I did not initially consider ongoing costs for marketing and sales related activities, but I guess for coworking spaces which are not founded on an already established community they must be pretty important too. Did you have a community ready when you started or did you have to build it? > **···** > > On Jan 31, 11:29 pm, Jack Speranza \ wrote: > > > Hi Michael -- > > > > I suspect the responses you're going to get on this will be wide > > ranging -- and they should be, as start-up costs will very much be a > > function of the location, size and objectives of each space. Also, > > you're going to need to translate the info you get into "apples to > > apples" comparisons for the data to be valid... for example, many > > folks who don't come at this from a business / accounting background > > will attribute both capital and operating expenses to "costs." > > > > In terms of my own space, I have chosen to bootstrap my endeavor. > > Consequently, my initial capital investment was limited, and I am > > using operational revenues to pay for additional capital needs as the > > community grows. I did not have to undertake any leasehold > > improvements in my space. A portion of my furnishings and equipment > > were cannibalized from another business, and IKEA is my friend for > > what I have opted to purchase. My total investment for capital items > > thus far is under $1,750 for a 1,000 square foot suburban space > > outside of Boston that maxes out at 10 concurrent users. > > > > Do you consider ongoing "costs" for marketing and sales-related > > activities part of the information you're looking to collect? If so, > > then how would you like to measure these (annualized gross costs or in > > some other fashion)? My pre-opening marketing expenses were very > > limited -- about $250 for some flyers, brochures and digital ads. > > > > As of the end of January, my space will have been operating for 4 > > months. In terms of operational performance, we're almost at break- > > even (and even that's a bit misleading, as I haven't really been > > marketing aggressively). > > > > Hope this is helpful. > > > > Jack > > ---------------------------------------------- > > Jack Speranza > > Principal, Main Street Ventures > > 15 Main Street, 2nd Floor > > Hopkinton, MA 01748 > > T: 508.858.5440 x101 > > F: 508.858.5441 > > Toll Free: 866.472.1035http://mainstreetventures.comhttp://zenbungalow.com > > ---------------------------------------------- > > > > On Jan 30, 11:33 pm, Michael \ wrote: > > > > \> I was thinking about writing a blog article about the costs of > > \> starting a coworking space on my website and I thought what the hell? > > \> Why not just start a thread here and get actual feedback from people > > \> who have been through all this before. This way i can get some great > > \> material for a killer blog post and this can also be an informative > > \> thread for people who are thinking about opening their own coworking > > \> space. > > > > \> So here are my questions for anyone who has started a coworking > > \> space : > > > > \> 1)How much did it cost you to start your community coworking space? > > > > \> 2)What was the cost breakdown? > > > > \> 3)Were there any surprise costs which you never considered? > > > > \> 4)If you has to do it again how would you spend differently? > > > > \> 5)What were your smartest cost saving measures? > > > > \> 6)What is your biggest on-going cost? > > > > \> Please add any more questions you can think of! > > > > \> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > \> Advertise your coworking spaces for FREEhttp://www.myecodesk.com ---
**Author:** ![kaan\_aksay](https://forum.coworking.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@kaan\_aksay](https://forum.coworking.org/u/kaan_aksay)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 1:52pm UTC](https://forum.coworking.org/t/coworking-space-founders-how-much-does-it-cost-to-start-a-space/2977/8 "2011-02-01T13:52:51Z")
Hi, check this out. [http://www.editgrid.com/user/harro33/shared\_office\_model](http://www.editgrid.com/user/harro33/shared_office_model) > **···** > > On Feb 1, 1:26 pm, Michael \ wrote: > > > Hey Jack, > > > > Thanks for your detailed response, I really appreciate it. > > > > Right now I am looking to write something which is more of a helpful > > article, rather than anything too scholarly. I understand that when it > > comes to opening up a coworking space many factors (location;time;size > > of community etc.) will effect how much it is going to cost to set up. > > I would like to give the would-be coworking space founder a simple > > idea of what kind of costs are expected when opening up a coworking > > space. It is always great to have some examples from people who have > > experience doing it and I thank you, Alex and Blair for giving them. > > > > I did not initially consider ongoing costs for marketing and sales > > related activities, but I guess for coworking spaces which are not > > founded on an already established community they must be pretty > > important too. > > > > Did you have a community ready when you started or did you have to > > build it? > > > > On Jan 31, 11:29 pm, Jack Speranza \ \> wrote: > > > > \> Hi Michael -- > > > > \> I suspect the responses you're going to get on this will be wide > > \> ranging -- and they should be, as start-up costs will very much be a > > \> function of the location, size and objectives of each space. Also, > > \> you're going to need to translate the info you get into "apples to > > \> apples" comparisons for the data to be valid... for example, many > > \> folks who don't come at this from a business / accounting background > > \> will attribute both capital and operating expenses to "costs." > > > > \> In terms of my own space, I have chosen to bootstrap my endeavor. > > \> Consequently, my initial capital investment was limited, and I am > > \> using operational revenues to pay for additional capital needs as the > > \> community grows. I did not have to undertake any leasehold > > \> improvements in my space. A portion of my furnishings and equipment > > \> were cannibalized from another business, and IKEA is my friend for > > \> what I have opted to purchase. My total investment for capital items > > \> thus far is under $1,750 for a 1,000 square foot suburban space > > \> outside of Boston that maxes out at 10 concurrent users. > > > > \> Do you consider ongoing "costs" for marketing and sales-related > > \> activities part of the information you're looking to collect? If so, > > \> then how would you like to measure these (annualized gross costs or in > > \> some other fashion)? My pre-opening marketing expenses were very > > \> limited -- about $250 for some flyers, brochures and digital ads. > > > > \> As of the end of January, my space will have been operating for 4 > > \> months. In terms of operational performance, we're almost at break- > > \> even (and even that's a bit misleading, as I haven't really been > > \> marketing aggressively). > > > > \> Hope this is helpful. > > > > \> Jack > > \> ---------------------------------------------- > > \> Jack Speranza > > \> Principal, Main Street Ventures > > \> 15 Main Street, 2nd Floor > > \> Hopkinton, MA 01748 > > \> T: 508.858.5440 x101 > > \> F: 508.858.5441 > > \> Toll Free: 866.472.1035http://mainstreetventures.comhttp://zenbungalow.com > > \> ---------------------------------------------- > > > > \> On Jan 30, 11:33 pm, Michael \ wrote: > > > > \> \> I was thinking about writing a blog article about the costs of > > \> \> starting a coworking space on my website and I thought what the hell? > > \> \> Why not just start a thread here and get actual feedback from people > > \> \> who have been through all this before. This way i can get some great > > \> \> material for a killer blog post and this can also be an informative > > \> \> thread for people who are thinking about opening their own coworking > > \> \> space. > > > > \> \> So here are my questions for anyone who has started a coworking > > \> \> space : > > > > \> \> 1)How much did it cost you to start your community coworking space? > > > > \> \> 2)What was the cost breakdown? > > > > \> \> 3)Were there any surprise costs which you never considered? > > > > \> \> 4)If you has to do it again how would you spend differently? > > > > \> \> 5)What were your smartest cost saving measures? > > > > \> \> 6)What is your biggest on-going cost? > > > > \> \> Please add any more questions you can think of! > > > > \> \> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > \> \> Advertise your coworking spaces for FREEhttp://www.myecodesk.com ---
**Author:** ![Blair\_Gordon](https://forum.coworking.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/a6a055/32.png) [@Blair\_Gordon](https://forum.coworking.org/u/Blair_Gordon)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 1:57pm UTC](https://forum.coworking.org/t/coworking-space-founders-how-much-does-it-cost-to-start-a-space/2977/9 "2011-02-01T13:57:46Z")
awesome thanks > **···** > > On Tue, Feb 1, 2011 at 8:52 AM, kaan aksay [kaan...@gmail.com](mailto:kaan...@gmail.com) wrote: > > > Hi, > > > > check this out. > > > > [http://www.editgrid.com/user/harro33/shared\_office\_model](http://www.editgrid.com/user/harro33/shared_office_model) > > > On Feb 1, 1:26 pm, Michael [con...@gmail.com](mailto:con...@gmail.com) wrote: > > > > > Hey Jack, > > > > > > > > > > Thanks for your detailed response, I really appreciate it. > > > > > > > > > > Right now I am looking to write something which is more of a helpful > > > > > article, rather than anything too scholarly. I understand that when it > > > > > comes to opening up a coworking space many factors (location;time;size > > > > > of community etc.) will effect how much it is going to cost to set up. > > > > > I would like to give the would-be coworking space founder a simple > > > > > idea of what kind of costs are expected when opening up a coworking > > > > > space. It is always great to have some examples from people who have > > > > > experience doing it and I thank you, Alex and Blair for giving them. > > > > > > > > > > I did not initially consider ongoing costs for marketing and sales > > > > > related activities, but I guess for coworking spaces which are not > > > > > founded on an already established community they must be pretty > > > > > important too. > > > > > > > > > > Did you have a community ready when you started or did you have to > > > > > build it? > > > > > > > > > > On Jan 31, 11:29 pm, Jack Speranza [jdspe...@mainstreetventures.com](mailto:jdspe...@mainstreetventures.com) \> \> \> wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi Michael – > > > > > > > > > > > I suspect the responses you’re going to get on this will be wide > > > > > > ranging – and they should be, as start-up costs will very much be a > > > > > > function of the location, size and objectives of each space. Also, > > > > > > you’re going to need to translate the info you get into "apples to > > > > > > apples" comparisons for the data to be valid… for example, many > > > > > > folks who don’t come at this from a business / accounting background > > > > > > will attribute both capital and operating expenses to “costs.” > > > > > > > > > > > In terms of my own space, I have chosen to bootstrap my endeavor. > > > > > > Consequently, my initial capital investment was limited, and I am > > > > > > using operational revenues to pay for additional capital needs as the > > > > > > community grows. I did not have to undertake any leasehold > > > > > > improvements in my space. A portion of my furnishings and equipment > > > > > > were cannibalized from another business, and IKEA is my friend for > > > > > > what I have opted to purchase. My total investment for capital items > > > > > > thus far is under $1,750 for a 1,000 square foot suburban space > > > > > > outside of Boston that maxes out at 10 concurrent users. > > > > > > > > > > > Do you consider ongoing “costs” for marketing and sales-related > > > > > > activities part of the information you’re looking to collect? If so, > > > > > > then how would you like to measure these (annualized gross costs or in > > > > > > some other fashion)? My pre-opening marketing expenses were very > > > > > > limited – about $250 for some flyers, brochures and digital ads. > > > > > > > > > > > As of the end of January, my space will have been operating for 4 > > > > > > months. In terms of operational performance, we’re almost at break- > > > > > > even (and even that’s a bit misleading, as I haven’t really been > > > > > > marketing aggressively). > > > > > > > > > > > Hope this is helpful. > > > > > > > > > > > Jack > > > > > > * * * > > > > > > Jack Speranza > > > > > > Principal, Main Street Ventures > > > > > > 15 Main Street, 2nd Floor > > > > > > Hopkinton, MA 01748 > > > > > > T: 508.858.5440 x101 > > > > > > F: 508.858.5441 > > > > > > Toll Free: 866.472.1035http://mainstreetventures.comhttp://[zenbungalow.com](http://zenbungalow.com) > > > > > > * * * > > > > > > > > > > > On Jan 30, 11:33 pm, Michael [con...@gmail.com](mailto:con...@gmail.com) wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > I was thinking about writing a blog article about the costs of > > > > > > > starting a coworking space on my website and I thought what the hell? > > > > > > > Why not just start a thread here and get actual feedback from people > > > > > > > who have been through all this before. This way i can get some great > > > > > > > material for a killer blog post and this can also be an informative > > > > > > > thread for people who are thinking about opening their own coworking > > > > > > > space. > > > > > > > > > > > > So here are my questions for anyone who has started a coworking > > > > > > > space : > > > > > > > > > > > > 1)How much did it cost you to start your community coworking space? > > > > > > > > > > > > 2)What was the cost breakdown? > > > > > > > > > > > > 3)Were there any surprise costs which you never considered? > > > > > > > > > > > > 4)If you has to do it again how would you spend differently? > > > > > > > > > > > > 5)What were your smartest cost saving measures? > > > > > > > > > > > > 6)What is your biggest on-going cost? > > > > > > > > > > > > Please add any more questions you can think of! > > > > > > > > > > > > * * * > > > > > > > Advertise your coworking spaces for FREEhttp://[www.myecodesk.com](http://www.myecodesk.com) > > > > – > > > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups “Coworking” group. > > > > To post to this group, send email to [cowo...@googlegroups.com](mailto:cowo...@googlegroups.com). > > > > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [coworking+...@googlegroups.com](mailto:coworking+...@googlegroups.com). > > > > For more options, visit this group at [http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en](http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en). > > – > Blair James Gordon > > [blairjam...@gmail.com](mailto:blairjam...@gmail.com) > Cell-(614) 359-2504 > > Office-(614) 859-9103 > Office-(614) 285-SIGN > > Confidential: This email is intended for the person or entity to which it is addressed. The information contained in this email may be confidential and privileged. Any retransmission, review, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this email in error, please contact the sender immediately and destroy the material and delete it from any computer. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Speranza](https://forum.coworking.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/48db29/32.png) [@Jack\_Speranza](https://forum.coworking.org/u/Jack_Speranza)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 5:43pm UTC](https://forum.coworking.org/t/coworking-space-founders-how-much-does-it-cost-to-start-a-space/2977/10 "2011-02-01T17:43:55Z")
Hi Michael -- Didn't mean to suggest a scholarly approach to your article, just a recognition that "costs" will have different meanings to different people, and to make the info you relate both relevant and valid, something you want to be thinking about / clarifying as you go through this data gathering process rather than trying to figure it all out after the fact 😉 In any event, to answer your direct question, I did reach out to a number of folks and organizations prior to opening before opening my space, and was able to obtain a small handful of folks to join once we opened the doors. Right now, I'm in the process of looking to grow the community, but I haven't been able to give this the attention it deserves due to other commitments. That said, the folks working in the space right now have been great evangelists... all I really need to do is harness a lot of what they are doing on their own, put a little more strategic direction behind it, and we should be able to fill out pretty quickly. I'd be surprised if any of the existing spaces haven't found a need for some form of ongoing marketing efforts (doesn't have to be "paid," but the time involved to maintain Craigslist postings, tweeting, blogging and hosting events essentially all boils down to ongoing marketing efforts and comes with a "cost"). In my opinion, if you're not accounting for the time involved in creating and maintaining this ongoing "free advertising" -- even if the time is volunteered -- then you're not truly measuring your cost of operations or able to evaluate the true sustainability of the business. > **···** > > ---------------------------------------------- > Jack Speranza > Principal, Main Street Ventures > 15 Main Street, 2nd Floor > Hopkinton, MA 01748 > T: 508.858.5440 x101 > F: 508.858.5441 > Toll Free: 866.472.1035 > > > **[Home](https://www.mainstreetventures.com/)** > > > **[ZenBungalow.com is for sale | HugeDomains](https://www.hugedomains.com/domain_profile.cfm?d=zenbungalow.com)** > > > > Extensive selection of high-quality domain names. Knowledgeable, friendly customer support. > > ---------------------------------------------- > > On Feb 1, 6:26 am, Michael \ wrote: > > > Hey Jack, > > > > Thanks for your detailed response, I really appreciate it. > > > > Right now I am looking to write something which is more of a helpful > > article, rather than anything too scholarly. I understand that when it > > comes to opening up a coworking space many factors (location;time;size > > of community etc.) will effect how much it is going to cost to set up. > > I would like to give the would-be coworking space founder a simple > > idea of what kind of costs are expected when opening up a coworking > > space. It is always great to have some examples from people who have > > experience doing it and I thank you, Alex and Blair for giving them. > > > > I did not initially consider ongoing costs for marketing and sales > > related activities, but I guess for coworking spaces which are not > > founded on an already established community they must be pretty > > important too. > > > > Did you have a community ready when you started or did you have to > > build it? ---
**Author:** ![CoWorker](https://forum.coworking.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@CoWorker](https://forum.coworking.org/u/CoWorker)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 11:33am UTC](https://forum.coworking.org/t/coworking-space-founders-how-much-does-it-cost-to-start-a-space/2977/11 "2011-02-02T11:33:30Z")
That editgrid spreadsheet looks really helpful, thanks for sharing it. Is there an easy way of changing the currency? > Hi, > > check this out. > > [http://www.editgrid.com/user/harro33/shared\_office\_model](http://www.editgrid.com/user/harro33/shared_office_model) > > > Hey Jack, > > > > Thanks for your detailed response, I really appreciate it. > > > > Right now I am looking to write something which is more of a helpful > > article, rather than anything too scholarly. I understand that when it > > comes to opening up a coworking space many factors (location;time;size > > of community etc.) will effect how much it is going to cost to set up. > > I would like to give the would-be coworking space founder a simple > > idea of what kind of costs are expected when opening up a coworking > > space. It is always great to have some examples from people who have > > experience doing it and I thank you, Alex and Blair for giving them. > > > > I did not initially consider ongoing costs for marketing and sales > > related activities, but I guess for coworking spaces which are not > > founded on an already established community they must be pretty > > important too. > > > > Did you have a community ready when you started or did you have to > > build it? > > > > > Hi Michael – > > > > > I suspect the responses you’re going to get on this will be wide > > > ranging – and they should be, as start-up costs will very much be a > > > function of the location, size and objectives of each space. Also, > > > you’re going to need to translate the info you get into “apples to > > > apples” comparisons for the data to be valid… for example, many > > > folks who don’t come at this from a business / accounting background > > > will attribute both capital and operating expenses to “costs.” > > > > > In terms of my own space, I have chosen to bootstrap my endeavor. > > > Consequently, my initial capital investment was limited, and I am > > > using operational revenues to pay for additional capital needs as the > > > community grows. I did not have to undertake any leasehold > > > improvements in my space. A portion of my furnishings and equipment > > > were cannibalized from another business, and IKEA is my friend for > > > what I have opted to purchase. My total investment for capital items > > > thus far is under $1,750 for a 1,000 square foot suburban space > > > outside of Boston that maxes out at 10 concurrent users. > > > > > Do you consider ongoing “costs” for marketing and sales-related > > > activities part of the information you’re looking to collect? If so, > > > then how would you like to measure these (annualized gross costs or in > > > some other fashion)? My pre-opening marketing expenses were very > > > limited – about $250 for some flyers, brochures and digital ads. > > > > > As of the end of January, my space will have been operating for 4 > > > months. In terms of operational performance, we’re almost at break- > > > even (and even that’s a bit misleading, as I haven’t really been > > > marketing aggressively). > > > > > Hope this is helpful. > > > > > ## Jack > > > > > > ## Jack Speranza Principal, Main Street Ventures 15 Main Street, 2nd Floor Hopkinton, MA 01748 T: 508.858.5440 x101 F: 508.858.5441 Toll Free: 866.472.1035http://mainstreetventures.comhttp://zenbungalow.com > > > > > > I was thinking about writing a blog article about the costs of > > > > starting a coworking space on my website and I thought what the hell? > > > > Why not just start a thread here and get actual feedback from people > > > > who have been through all this before. This way i can get some great > > > > material for a killer blog post and this can also be an informative > > > > thread for people who are thinking about opening their own coworking > > > > space. > > > > > > So here are my questions for anyone who has started a coworking > > > > space : > > > > > > 1)How much did it cost you to start your community coworking space? > > > > > > 2)What was the cost breakdown? > > > > > > 3)Were there any surprise costs which you never considered? > > > > > > 4)If you has to do it again how would you spend differently? > > > > > > 5)What were your smartest cost saving measures? > > > > > > 6)What is your biggest on-going cost? > > > > > > Please add any more questions you can think of! > > > > > > * * * > > > > > > > > Advertise your coworking spaces for FREEhttp://www.myecodesk.com > > – > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups “Coworking” group. > To post to this group, send email to cowo…@googlegroups.com. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to coworking+…@googlegroups.com. > For more options, visit this group at [http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en](http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en). David Garvin da…@visitgmd.com 01473 212200 [www.visitgmd.com](http://www.visitgmd.com) Whilst this email has been checked for all known viruses, recipients should undertake their own virus checking as Garvin Marr Limited will not accept any liability whatsoever. This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and protected by client privilege. It is solely for the use of the intended recipient. Please delete it and notify the sender if you have received it in error. Unauthorised use is prohibited. Any opinions expressed in this email are those of the individual and not necessarily the organisation. ![](https://forum.coworking.org/uploads/default/original/1X/00b4f04e0289db0710e2a4720da051a87707bcb9.jpeg) > **···** > > On 1 Feb 2011, at 13:52, kaan aksay wrote: > > > On Feb 1, 1:26 pm, Michael [co...@gmail.com](mailto:co...@gmail.com) wrote: > > > > > On Jan 31, 11:29 pm, Jack Speranza [jds...@mainstreetventures.com](mailto:jds...@mainstreetventures.com) \> \> wrote: > > > > > > > On Jan 30, 11:33 pm, Michael [co...@gmail.com](mailto:co...@gmail.com) wrote: ---
**Author:** ![kaan\_aksay](https://forum.coworking.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@kaan\_aksay](https://forum.coworking.org/u/kaan_aksay)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 8:51am UTC](https://forum.coworking.org/t/coworking-space-founders-how-much-does-it-cost-to-start-a-space/2977/12 "2011-02-03T08:51:01Z")
I have changed manually:( > **···** > > On Feb 2, 1:33 pm, David Garvin \ wrote: > > > That editgrid spreadsheet looks really helpful, thanks for sharing > > it. Is there an easy way of changing the currency? > > > > On 1 Feb 2011, at 13:52, kaan aksay wrote: > > > > \> Hi, > > > > \> check this out. > > > > \>[http://www.editgrid.com/user/harro33/shared\_office\_model](http://www.editgrid.com/user/harro33/shared_office_model) > > > > \> On Feb 1, 1:26 pm, Michael \ wrote: > > \>\> Hey Jack, > > > > \>\> Thanks for your detailed response, I really appreciate it. > > > > \>\> Right now I am looking to write something which is more of a helpful > > \>\> article, rather than anything too scholarly. I understand that when > > \>\> it > > \>\> comes to opening up a coworking space many factors > > \>\> (location;time;size > > \>\> of community etc.) will effect how much it is going to cost to set > > \>\> up. > > \>\> I would like to give the would-be coworking space founder a simple > > \>\> idea of what kind of costs are expected when opening up a coworking > > \>\> space. It is always great to have some examples from people who have > > \>\> experience doing it and I thank you, Alex and Blair for giving them. > > > > \>\> I did not initially consider ongoing costs for marketing and sales > > \>\> related activities, but I guess for coworking spaces which are not > > \>\> founded on an already established community they must be pretty > > \>\> important too. > > > > \>\> Did you have a community ready when you started or did you have to > > \>\> build it? > > > > \>\> On Jan 31, 11:29 pm, Jack Speranza \> \>\> \ \> \>\> wrote: > > > > \>\>\> Hi Michael -- > > > > \>\>\> I suspect the responses you're going to get on this will be wide > > \>\>\> ranging -- and they should be, as start-up costs will very much be a > > \>\>\> function of the location, size and objectives of each space. Also, > > \>\>\> you're going to need to translate the info you get into "apples to > > \>\>\> apples" comparisons for the data to be valid... for example, many > > \>\>\> folks who don't come at this from a business / accounting background > > \>\>\> will attribute both capital and operating expenses to "costs." > > > > \>\>\> In terms of my own space, I have chosen to bootstrap my endeavor. > > \>\>\> Consequently, my initial capital investment was limited, and I am > > \>\>\> using operational revenues to pay for additional capital needs as > > \>\>\> the > > \>\>\> community grows. I did not have to undertake any leasehold > > \>\>\> improvements in my space. A portion of my furnishings and equipment > > \>\>\> were cannibalized from another business, and IKEA is my friend for > > \>\>\> what I have opted to purchase. My total investment for capital > > \>\>\> items > > \>\>\> thus far is under $1,750 for a 1,000 square foot suburban space > > \>\>\> outside of Boston that maxes out at 10 concurrent users. > > > > \>\>\> Do you consider ongoing "costs" for marketing and sales-related > > \>\>\> activities part of the information you're looking to collect? If > > \>\>\> so, > > \>\>\> then how would you like to measure these (annualized gross costs > > \>\>\> or in > > \>\>\> some other fashion)? My pre-opening marketing expenses were very > > \>\>\> limited -- about $250 for some flyers, brochures and digital ads. > > > > \>\>\> As of the end of January, my space will have been operating for 4 > > \>\>\> months. In terms of operational performance, we're almost at break- > > \>\>\> even (and even that's a bit misleading, as I haven't really been > > \>\>\> marketing aggressively). > > > > \>\>\> Hope this is helpful. > > > > \>\>\> Jack > > \>\>\> ---------------------------------------------- > > \>\>\> Jack Speranza > > \>\>\> Principal, Main Street Ventures > > \>\>\> 15 Main Street, 2nd Floor > > \>\>\> Hopkinton, MA 01748 > > \>\>\> T: 508.858.5440 x101 > > \>\>\> F: 508.858.5441 > > \>\>\> Toll Free: 866.472.1035http://mainstreetventures.comhttp:// > > \>\>\> zenbungalow.com > > \>\>\> ---------------------------------------------- > > > > \>\>\> On Jan 30, 11:33 pm, Michael \ wrote: > > > > \>\>\>\> I was thinking about writing a blog article about the costs of > > \>\>\>\> starting a coworking space on my website and I thought what the > > \>\>\>\> hell? > > \>\>\>\> Why not just start a thread here and get actual feedback from > > \>\>\>\> people > > \>\>\>\> who have been through all this before. This way i can get some > > \>\>\>\> great > > \>\>\>\> material for a killer blog post and this can also be an informative > > \>\>\>\> thread for people who are thinking about opening their own > > \>\>\>\> coworking > > \>\>\>\> space. > > > > \>\>\>\> So here are my questions for anyone who has started a coworking > > \>\>\>\> space : > > > > \>\>\>\> 1)How much did it cost you to start your community coworking space? > > > > \>\>\>\> 2)What was the cost breakdown? > > > > \>\>\>\> 3)Were there any surprise costs which you never considered? > > > > \>\>\>\> 4)If you has to do it again how would you spend differently? > > > > \>\>\>\> 5)What were your smartest cost saving measures? > > > > \>\>\>\> 6)What is your biggest on-going cost? > > > > \>\>\>\> Please add any more questions you can think of! > > > > \>\>\>\> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > \>\>\>\> Advertise your coworking spaces for FREEhttp://www.myecodesk.com > > > > \> -- > > \> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google > > \> Groups "Coworking" group. > > \> To post to this group, send email to cowo...@googlegroups.com. > > \> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to coworking+...@googlegroups.com > > \> . > > \> For more options, visit this group athttp://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en > > \> . > > > > David Garvin > > da...@visitgmd.com > > > > 01473 [212200www.visitgmd.com](http://212200www.visitgmd.com) > > > > Whilst this email has been checked for all known viruses, recipients > > should undertake their own virus checking as Garvin Marr Limited will > > not accept any liability whatsoever. > > > > This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and > > protected by client privilege. It is solely for the use of the > > intended recipient. Please delete it and notify the sender if you have > > received it in error. Unauthorised use is prohibited. > > > > Any opinions expressed in this email are those of the individual and > > not necessarily the organisation. ---
**Author:** ![hamc](https://forum.coworking.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/b782af/32.png) [@hamc](https://forum.coworking.org/u/hamc)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 12:40pm UTC](https://forum.coworking.org/t/coworking-space-founders-how-much-does-it-cost-to-start-a-space/2977/13 "2011-02-03T12:40:27Z")
Hi, I manage a network of coworking spaces in Portugal, e have to spaces, one in Braga and another one in Lisbon. The cost of our coworking space investment were envolved in a much larger investment in a Business Center, because coworking is only one of a wide variety of services that we provide for companies. In Braga we invested 5Meuros, in buying and building our facilities. In a building that has 10.000 m2. I think that a facility that has only coworking does not provide a good image to coworkers, because they need that their visitants assume that the coworker has a backoffice that is able to provide all their client needs.. If a visitant enters our Business Center, to a meeting with our cowworker client, he doesn't hnow that the coworker is in a coworking space, because the meeting is in our meeting rooms, used also by larger companies... to see our concept, look in: [http://www.ideia-atlantico.pt/Servicos-Solucoes/espaco-nomada-open-space-empreendedores.html](http://www.ideia-atlantico.pt/Servicos-Solucoes/espaco-nomada-open-space-empreendedores.html) > **···** > > On Jan 31, 4:33 am, Michael \ wrote: > > > I was thinking about writing a blog article about the costs of > > starting a coworking space on my website and I thought what the hell? > > Why not just start a thread here and get actual feedback from people > > who have been through all this before. This way i can get some great > > material for a killer blog post and this can also be an informative > > thread for people who are thinking about opening their own coworking > > space. > > > > So here are my questions for anyone who has started a coworking > > space : > > > > 1)How much did it cost you to start your community coworking space? > > > > 2)What was the cost breakdown? > > > > 3)Were there any surprise costs which you never considered? > > > > 4)If you has to do it again how would you spend differently? > > > > 5)What were your smartest cost saving measures? > > > > 6)What is your biggest on-going cost? > > > > Please add any more questions you can think of! > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Advertise your coworking spaces for FREEhttp://www.myecodesk.com ---
**Author:** ![Michael](https://forum.coworking.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Michael](https://forum.coworking.org/u/Michael)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 3:07am UTC](https://forum.coworking.org/t/coworking-space-founders-how-much-does-it-cost-to-start-a-space/2977/14 "2011-02-04T03:07:14Z")
Jack, Once again thanks for your insight and sorry for my late reply. I live in Beijing at the moment and it is Chinese New Year so everyone is on holidays. I still have the sound of fireworks ringing in my head! I do agree with what you are saying about marketing. When i write my piece I am definitely going to put it in as an ongoing cost.You are right that free marketing can be done but there is also a time cost to the whole thing. At the moment, with my website i spend half my time tweeting, writing blog comments, blog posts and anything else to get some attention. Although it is free, it is not easy, especially getting noticed. One thing I have really taken from this thread and something which I am going to talk about is the whole community support aspect of starting a coworking space. As I see it there seems to be two different kinds of coworking spaces, those which were founded around a solid community and those which were started before a community was created. I think this is really a big thing when it comes to the cost of starting a space. > **···** > > ----------------------------------------------- > Advertise/Find Coworking Spaces for FREE on Myecodesk.com > [http://www.myecodesk.com](http://www.myecodesk.com) > > On Feb 2, 1:43 am, Jack Speranza \ wrote: > > > Hi Michael -- > > > > Didn't mean to suggest a scholarly approach to your article, just a > > recognition that "costs" will have different meanings to different > > people, and to make the info you relate both relevant and valid, > > something you want to be thinking about / clarifying as you go through > > this data gathering process rather than trying to figure it all out > > after the fact 😉 > > > > In any event, to answer your direct question, I did reach out to a > > number of folks and organizations prior to opening before opening my > > space, and was able to obtain a small handful of folks to join once we > > opened the doors. Right now, I'm in the process of looking to grow > > the community, but I haven't been able to give this the attention it > > deserves due to other commitments. That said, the folks working in > > the space right now have been great evangelists... all I really need > > to do is harness a lot of what they are doing on their own, put a > > little more strategic direction behind it, and we should be able to > > fill out pretty quickly. > > > > I'd be surprised if any of the existing spaces haven't found a need > > for some form of ongoing marketing efforts (doesn't have to be "paid," > > but the time involved to maintain Craigslist postings, tweeting, > > blogging and hosting events essentially all boils down to ongoing > > marketing efforts and comes with a "cost"). In my opinion, if you're > > not accounting for the time involved in creating and maintaining this > > ongoing "free advertising" -- even if the time is volunteered -- then > > you're not truly measuring your cost of operations or able to evaluate > > the true sustainability of the business. > > > > ---------------------------------------------- > > Jack Speranza > > Principal, Main Street Ventures > > 15 Main Street, 2nd Floor > > Hopkinton, MA 01748 > > T: 508.858.5440 x101 > > F: 508.858.5441 > > Toll Free: 866.472.1035http://mainstreetventures.comhttp://zenbungalow.com > > ---------------------------------------------- > > > > On Feb 1, 6:26 am, Michael \ wrote: > > > > \> Hey Jack, > > > > \> Thanks for your detailed response, I really appreciate it. > > > > \> Right now I am looking to write something which is more of a helpful > > \> article, rather than anything too scholarly. I understand that when it > > \> comes to opening up a coworking space many factors (location;time;size > > \> of community etc.) will effect how much it is going to cost to set up. > > \> I would like to give the would-be coworking space founder a simple > > \> idea of what kind of costs are expected when opening up a coworking > > \> space. It is always great to have some examples from people who have > > \> experience doing it and I thank you, Alex and Blair for giving them. > > > > \> I did not initially consider ongoing costs for marketing and sales > > \> related activities, but I guess for coworking spaces which are not > > \> founded on an already established community they must be pretty > > \> important too. > > > > \> Did you have a community ready when you started or did you have to > > \> build it? ---
**Author:** ![Michael](https://forum.coworking.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Michael](https://forum.coworking.org/u/Michael)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 3:10am UTC](https://forum.coworking.org/t/coworking-space-founders-how-much-does-it-cost-to-start-a-space/2977/15 "2011-02-04T03:10:15Z")
Hi Hamc, Thanks for your insights. Wow you have a space that is 10000m2, that is pretty huge! What is your capacity? > **···** > > ----------------------------------------------- > Advertise/Find Coworking Spaces for FREE on Myecodesk.com > [http://www.myecodesk.com](http://www.myecodesk.com) > > On Feb 3, 8:40 pm, hamc \ wrote: > > > Hi, > > > > I manage a network of coworking spaces in Portugal, e have to spaces, > > one in Braga and another one in Lisbon. > > > > The cost of our coworking space investment were envolved in a much > > larger investment in a Business Center, because coworking is only one > > of a wide variety of services that we provide for companies. > > > > In Braga we invested 5Meuros, in buying and building our facilities. > > In a building that has 10.000 m2. > > > > I think that a facility that has only coworking does not provide a > > good image to coworkers, because they need that their visitants assume > > that the coworker has a backoffice that is able to provide all their > > client needs.. > > > > If a visitant enters our Business Center, to a meeting with our > > cowworker client, he doesn't hnow that the coworker is in a coworking > > space, because the meeting is in our meeting rooms, used also by > > larger companies... > > > > to see our concept, look in:[http://www.ideia-atlantico.pt/Servicos-Solucoes/espaco-nomada-open-sp\.\.\](http://www.ideia-atlantico.pt/Servicos-Solucoes/espaco-nomada-open-sp%5C.%5C.%5C). > > > > On Jan 31, 4:33 am, Michael \ wrote: > > > > \> I was thinking about writing a blog article about the costs of > > \> starting a coworking space on my website and I thought what the hell? > > \> Why not just start a thread here and get actual feedback from people > > \> who have been through all this before. This way i can get some great > > \> material for a killer blog post and this can also be an informative > > \> thread for people who are thinking about opening their own coworking > > \> space. > > > > \> So here are my questions for anyone who has started a coworking > > \> space : > > > > \> 1)How much did it cost you to start your community coworking space? > > > > \> 2)What was the cost breakdown? > > > > \> 3)Were there any surprise costs which you never considered? > > > > \> 4)If you has to do it again how would you spend differently? > > > > \> 5)What were your smartest cost saving measures? > > > > \> 6)What is your biggest on-going cost? > > > > \> Please add any more questions you can think of! > > > > \> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > \> Advertise your coworking spaces for FREEhttp://www.myecodesk.com ---
**Author:** ![Gaetan\_Van\_Wylick](https://forum.coworking.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/13edae/32.png) [@Gaetan\_Van\_Wylick](https://forum.coworking.org/u/Gaetan_Van_Wylick)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 8:29am UTC](https://forum.coworking.org/t/coworking-space-founders-how-much-does-it-cost-to-start-a-space/2977/16 "2018-08-02T08:29:18Z")
Hi, Great post. Thanks to all of you. Unfortunatelly the link doesn’t work anymore. Is it still possible to get these information about the costs ? Cheers. Gaetan > **···** > > On Monday, January 31, 2011 at 4:43:07 PM UTC+1, Alex Hillman wrote: > > > We shared a detailed “by the numbers” post for Indy Hall with Gigaom - and then on our own blog - that you should be able to glean your numbers from: > > > [http://www.indyhall.org/blog/2010/08/06/indy-hall-by-the-numbers/](http://www.indyhall.org/blog/2010/08/06/indy-hall-by-the-numbers/) > > > > > > Our smartest cost-saving measure was including our members in our buildout process. We saved immensely on human labor for things like painting and running network wires because members had interest in contributing to the space construction - not only did this save us money, but it gave those members an immensely strong bond to the space, and a sense of ownership that is unparalleled. That process has saved us upfront costs as well as long-term administrative costs, all of which allow us to keep our monthly rates ridiculously low. > > > > > > -Alex > > > > > > > > > /ah > > [indyhall.org](http://indyhall.org) > > coworking in philadelphia > > > > On Sun, Jan 30, 2011 at 11:33 PM, Michael [con...@gmail.com](mailto:con...@gmail.com) wrote: > > > > > I was thinking about writing a blog article about the costs of > > > > > > starting a coworking space on my website and I thought what the hell? > > > > > > Why not just start a thread here and get actual feedback from people > > > > > > who have been through all this before. This way i can get some great > > > > > > material for a killer blog post and this can also be an informative > > > > > > thread for people who are thinking about opening their own coworking > > > > > > space. > > > > > > So here are my questions for anyone who has started a coworking > > > > > > space : > > > > > > 1)How much did it cost you to start your community coworking space? > > > > > > 2)What was the cost breakdown? > > > > > > 3)Were there any surprise costs which you never considered? > > > > > > 4)If you has to do it again how would you spend differently? > > > > > > 5)What were your smartest cost saving measures? > > > > > > 6)What is your biggest on-going cost? > > > > > > Please add any more questions you can think of! > > > > > > * * * > > > > > > Advertise your coworking spaces for FREE > > > > > > [http://www.myecodesk.com](http://www.myecodesk.com) > > > > > > – > > > > > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups “Coworking” group. > > > > > > To post to this group, send email to [cow...@googlegroups.com](mailto:cow...@googlegroups.com). > > > > > > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [coworking+...@googlegroups.com](mailto:coworking+...@googlegroups.com). > > > > > > For more options, visit this group at [http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en](http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en). > > > ---
**Author:** ![alex](https://forum.coworking.org/user_avatar/forum.coworking.org/alex/32/338_2.png) [@alex](https://forum.coworking.org/u/alex)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2018, 12:09am UTC](https://forum.coworking.org/t/coworking-space-founders-how-much-does-it-cost-to-start-a-space/2977/17 "2018-08-03T00:09:50Z")
Yup and with way more detail here: [How Much Does It Cost To Start A Coworking Space | Alex Hillman](https://dangerouslyawesome.com/2012/01/how-much-does-it-cost-to-start-a-coworking-space/) > **···** > > On Aug 2, 2018, 8:08 PM -0400, Gaetan Van Wylick \, wrote: > > > Hi, > > > > Great post. Thanks to all of you. Unfortunatelly the link doesn't work anymore. Is it still possible to get these information about the costs ? > > > > Cheers. > > > > Gaetan > > > > On Monday, January 31, 2011 at 4:43:07 PM UTC+1, Alex Hillman wrote: > > \> We shared a detailed "by the numbers" post for Indy Hall with Gigaom - and then on our own blog - that you should be able to glean your numbers from: > > \> > > \> [http://www.indyhall.org/blog/2010/08/06/indy-hall-by-the-numbers/](http://www.indyhall.org/blog/2010/08/06/indy-hall-by-the-numbers/) > > \> > > \> Our smartest cost-saving measure was including our members in our buildout process. We saved immensely on human labor for things like painting and running network wires because members had interest in contributing to the space construction - not only did this save us money, but it gave those members an immensely strong bond to the space, and a sense of ownership that is unparalleled. That process has saved us upfront costs as well as long-term administrative costs, all of which allow us to keep our monthly rates ridiculously low. > > \> > > \> -Alex > > \> > > \> > > \> > > \> /ah > > \> indyhall.org > > \> coworking in philadelphia > > \> > > \> > > \> \> On Sun, Jan 30, 2011 at 11:33 PM, Michael \ wrote: > > \> \> \> I was thinking about writing a blog article about the costs of > > \> \> \> starting a coworking space on my website and I thought what the hell? > > \> \> \> Why not just start a thread here and get actual feedback from people > > \> \> \> who have been through all this before. This way i can get some great > > \> \> \> material for a killer blog post and this can also be an informative > > \> \> \> thread for people who are thinking about opening their own coworking > > \> \> \> space. > > \> \> \> > > \> \> \> So here are my questions for anyone who has started a coworking > > \> \> \> space : > > \> \> \> > > \> \> \> 1)How much did it cost you to start your community coworking space? > > \> \> \> > > \> \> \> 2)What was the cost breakdown? > > \> \> \> > > \> \> \> 3)Were there any surprise costs which you never considered? > > \> \> \> > > \> \> \> 4)If you has to do it again how would you spend differently? > > \> \> \> > > \> \> \> 5)What were your smartest cost saving measures? > > \> \> \> > > \> \> \> 6)What is your biggest on-going cost? > > \> \> \> > > \> \> \> Please add any more questions you can think of! > > \> \> \> > > \> \> \> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > \> \> \> Advertise your coworking spaces for FREE > > \> \> \> [http://www.myecodesk.com](http://www.myecodesk.com) > > \> \> \> > > \> \> \> -- > > \> \> \> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. > > \> \> \> To post to this group, send email to cow...@googlegroups.com. > > \> \> \> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cowork...@googlegroups.com. > > \> \> \> For more options, visit this group at [http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en\](http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en%5C). > > \> \> \> > > \> > > -- > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. > > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to coworking+...@googlegroups.com. > > For more options, visit [https://groups.google.com/d/optout\](https://groups.google.com/d/optout%5C).