Most coworking spaces look good in photographs. A bright floor, comfortable chairs and a friendly reception can make every option feel the same. The differences show up later, in the contract, the monthly bill and the day-to-day experience.

Before you commit your team to any space, including ours, ask these seven questions. The answers will tell you far more than the brochure does.

1. What exactly is included in the price?

The headline price is only useful if you know what it covers. Ask for a written list of what is part of the monthly fee and what is charged extra.

Check specifically for:

1. Meeting room hours, and the rate once the included hours run out
2. Printing and scanning
3. Tea, coffee and pantry access
4. Parking for two-wheelers and cars
5. Power backup and air conditioning timings
6. Visitor and guest policies

Two spaces with the same seat price can cost very different amounts once the extras are added.

1. What are the contract terms?

Read the agreement before you pay anything. The terms that matter most are:

1. The minimum commitment, and whether there is a lock-in
2. The notice period if you want to leave
3. How much the security deposit is and when it is refunded
4. Whether the fee increases during the term, and by how much
5. What happens if you want to change your plan midway

Flexible terms are one of the main reasons teams choose coworking, so make sure the contract actually delivers that flexibility.

How reliable are the internet and power?

A workspace that loses connectivity during a client call costs you more than a cheaper seat ever saves. Ask about the internet speed available per user, whether there is a backup connection, and how power backup works.

The best test is practical: during your visit, connect your laptop, run a speed test and join a video call from the space.

1. Can I use the address fior my business?

Many businesses choose a coworking centre partly for a professional business address. If that matters to you, ask:

1. Can the address be used as a registered office or for business registrations?
2. What documents does the operator provide for that purpose?
3. How is mail and courier handled?

Get the answers in writing, and check with your company secretary or accountant if the address will be used for statutory filings.

1. What happens when my team grows or shrinks?

Your team size six months from now may not match today’s. Ask how easily you can add seats, move from a shared desk to a private cabin, or reduce your space.

Also ask whether larger cabins are available in the same centre. Moving a team to a new building is far more disruptive than moving across a floor.

1. How do meeting rooms and common areas work?

Meeting rooms are where clients form their first impression of your business. Ask how rooms are booked, how far ahead you can reserve them, and whether they are usually full at peak hours.

It also helps to see how busy the common areas feel at the time you would actually use them. A quiet space at 11 a.m. can feel very different at 3 p.m.

1. Who will I deal with, and what is the community like?

The operator’s support team will be part of your daily routine. Find out who your point of contact will be, how quickly issues like a broken light or a connectivity problem are resolved, and how requests are made.

Then spend a little time observing the people around you. A good community of other growing businesses can lead to referrals, partnerships and useful conversations.

A fiinal tip: visit at the hour you would work

If you can, visit on a weekday during peak hours, and ask for a trial day before you decide. Noise, crowding and connectivity are much easier to judge when you are working there than when you are being shown around.

We’d be glad to answer these seven questions for you in person. Call us on +91 2262790000, visit Kontorspace.in, or follow us on Instagram at @kontorindiato book a visit to one of our centres.