The Hidden Costs of Working from Home — And How a Professional Office Space Can Save You Money
In 2020, working from home was a concept that a select few were familiar with. It was a luxury for most and a dream for many. Fast forward 5 years, now working from home has become the norm. At first glance, it seems like the ultimate money-saving solution. No commute, no office wardrobe, and you save on those expensive lunches every day. But when we take a closer look, the costs start to add up—quietly chipping away at your productivity, comfort, and bottom line.
We’re not here to say that working from home is a bad decision. It certainly has its perks, too. Like most decisions you make for your business though, there are pros and cons for everything. So, as Scottsdale and Avondale’s favorite private office space leasing partner, we’re here to share with you the hidden costs of working from home—and how a professional office space like Lux Offices can help you save money (and sanity) in the long run.
Tech and Internet Costs Add Up—Fast
We’ve all been there, you’ve got an important video call scheduled and oh look, it’s raining in Phoenix. We’re not here to throw shade at any of the local home internet providers, but it does seem to be a strange coincidence that every time there’s any sort of weather in the Valley, our home internet speeds slow down to a crawl. Or let’s say it’s one of those many sunny days in the desert that we’re known for. Those are nice. Except the kids are home and hogging up all the bandwidth. Even with the best home internet setups, there are countless things we can list here that can still cause service disruptions. High-speed, reliable internet is non-negotiable when your business depends on an uninterrupted workflow. But at home, upgrading to business-grade fiber optic internet isn’t cheap—and even then, you might still struggle with slowdowns during peak hours.
At Lux Offices, we’ve invested in state-of-the-art technology, including fiber optic internet, to give our tenants seamless connectivity at both our Scottsdale and Avondale locations. That means crystal-clear Zoom calls, faster file transfers, and reliable access to cloud platforms—all without paying extra for upgrades or IT support. The best part is, on the rare occasion that something does go wrong with the internet, you’re not stuck taking time out of your busy schedule troubleshooting it. We’ve got you covered!
Distractions = Lost Time = Lost Money
It’s no secret that working from home can come with a thousand tiny distractions—from noisy neighbors to pets, kids, or the doorbell. While this type of environment can work for a certain personality type, it can be a hindrance for others. Studies show that many remote workers struggle with maintaining productivity at home, leading to more mistakes, longer workdays, and ultimately burnout. Many people have trouble with setting boundaries between work and home life, especially if there isn’t a space set aside that’s specifically designed for work only.
At Lux Offices, tenants benefit from a dedicated, distraction-free workspace designed to support focus, structure, and professional success. The result? Higher productivity and better work-life balance. The bonus is that you still have the option to come and go as you please. If work-from-home Wednesday is good for morale, that’s great! You’re the boss! Your executive office space will be waiting for you on Thursday.
Office Supplies and Equipment: It’s More Than Just a Printer
Working from home also means footing the bill for office essentials like printers, copiers, scanners, fax machines (yes some businesses still rely on these), paper, ink, and maintenance. Those seemingly small purchases add up over time—especially when equipment breaks down or needs replacement. We did some quick research on the average costs for some of these office necessities. Here’s what we came up with:
That’s a solid number that most CFOs, bookkeepers, and accountants would be happy to leave out of the budget. When you lease an executive office suite, these costs are already covered. At Lux Offices, our tenants enjoy access to the tools and resources they need—without the hassle of managing inventory, maintenance, or unexpected repair bills. Plus, you never have to worry about the printer ink being low again!
Your Utility Bills Are Already High Enough
If you’ve noticed your electricity bills creeping up, you’re not alone. This is an inevitable evil of living in Phoenix in the summer. There’s not sense in adding to it by not leaving your house all day. Working from home means running your A/C, lights, and electronics 24/7—especially during Arizona’s blazing summer months when cooling costs can double or even triple. Feeling a little warm? We’ll just bump the A/C down one degree. Trouble is, this happens so many times you forget you’re doing it and before you know it, you’re paying the most expensive electricity bill you’ve ever paid and you’re putting extra wear and tear on your A/C unit. This means extra maintenance and more frequent replacements or upgrades.
Private office space like Lux Offices allows you to control costs by shifting energy expenses out of your home and into a space designed for comfort and efficiency. Your only concern will be to bring a sweater. We supply the A/C all summer long, even in the Valley of the Sun!
Professional Office Space Is an Investment in You
While working from home may be a great option for some businesses, the hidden costs of internet, utilities, equipment, and supplies, plus productivity losses tell a different story. We understand that every business is different. Choosing professional office space at Lux Offices means investing in your business—and gaining access to the tools, technology, and environment you need to thrive. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, remote team member, or growing business, you deserve a workspace that works for you.
