How the calculator works
Start with the busiest day
The calculator increases your current headcount by the planned growth percentage, then applies your peak attendance percentage. It rounds up to a whole person so the brief allows for everyone expected in the office on that day. For example, a team of ten with 20% planned growth and 80% peak attendance gives 9.6 people, rounded to ten. If teams overlap on a regular day, use that overlap to set peak attendance.
Translate attendance into floor area
The layout selector allows 7, 9 or 12 m² per attending person. It then adds 12 m² for every meeting room you specify. The support percentage is applied to that subtotal to allow for circulation and support functions such as storage, printing and breakout space. The final area rounds up to the next whole square metre. In the default example, ten people at 9 m² each plus one meeting room give 102 m². Adding 25% brings the brief to 128 m² after rounding.
These are planning assumptions. Before committing, ask for a measured floor plan and check how the landlord calculates advertised area. Shared corridors, terraces, awkward columns and existing partitions can change how many desks and meeting rooms fit. Confirm accessibility, fire safety and permitted occupancy with the relevant professionals.
Separate base rent from occupancy costs
The calculator multiplies the rounded area by your annual rent assumption per square metre and divides by 12. The default €240/m²/year is an editable example. Use the office rent index to choose an assumption based on the zone you’re considering. Add recurring costs such as parking, service charges, utilities and internet in the extras field. The optional VAT illustration applies 18% to base rent only. Confirm tax treatment and inclusions for the actual lease. Budget separately for one-off costs such as a deposit, furniture and fit-out.
Why the listing search is wider
The search accepts offices at least 80% of your calculated area and raises the base monthly rent cap by 20%. Larger offices remain eligible within that rent cap. The default brief therefore searches from 102.4 m² and up to €3,072 per month in advertised base rent. A slightly smaller office may have a more efficient floor plan. A more expensive listing may include facilities you would otherwise pay for separately. Use the calculated brief to compare each option, and confirm both usable space and total monthly cost before shortlisting.