Before signing a coworking agreement, it is smart to ask the right questions. The headline price you see advertised is rarely the full story, and depending on where you sign, the surprises hiding in the fine print can add up fast.

We put together this guide because we believe transparency builds trust. These are the questions every person should ask any coworking provider before signing. We’ve also included exactly how iThrive answers each one, because we have nothing to hide.

A coworking agreement should clearly explain what is included, what costs extra, and what happens if your needs change. At iThrive, every coworking agreement is designed to be simple, transparent, and easy to understand.

1. Are there activation or move-in fees?

Some coworking spaces charge an “activation fee” just to get you started, we’ve heard of these running around $65 or more, on top of everything else you owe in month one. Before you sign a coworking agreement, make sure you understand the full cost of getting started.

At iThrive: $0 Activation fee. We believe your first experience with us should feel welcoming, not like a transaction with hidden surcharges. 

2. Are there fees for using the kitchen or common amenities?

You’d think a shared kitchen would be… shared. But at some spaces, coffee, kitchen supplies, and even basic amenities come with add-on charges.

At iThrive: Everything is all-inclusive. Snacks, Waters, Grind to Cup Coffee, Community lunches and more. Our community amenities are part of the community. We don’t nickel-and-dime our members for the basics. Coffee shouldn’t cost $2 a cup when you’re already paying for your office.

3. What will I actually owe in my first month?

This is the big one. Some spaces structure the first invoice to include an activation fee, a security deposit (often 2x your monthly rate), and your first month’s fee — all at once. That’s potentially 4x your monthly office price before you’ve unpacked a single box.

At iThrive: Your first month is pro-rated, depending upon when the start of your membership. If you have a private office, a security deposit will be collected that is equivalent to one month’s rent at signing. We walk every new member through exactly what their first invoice looks like — before they sign. No surprises on move-in day.

4. What are the restoration fees if I leave?

Here’s one that often catches people completely off guard: restoration or “restocking” fees charged when you vacate your office. We’ve heard of these running around $5.75 per square foot — and they’re frequently buried in the member handbook, not the agreement you sign.

At iThrive: We do not charge ‘restoration fees’ upon your departure. 

5. Is the WiFi reliable? What does a better connection cost?

“WiFi included” is a common promise — but the base tier at some spaces is throttled, and a priority internet connection can run an additional $16 per person per month.

At iThrive: We’re proud of our connectivity. We have a 25 Gbps fiber connection to the building, so there’s massive capacity headroom. Individual devices typically see 500–800 Mbps on Wi-Fi, which is well above what any single user needs.

6. What happens to my rate after the first year?

Introductory pricing is a common hook. What matters is what your rate looks like in year two — and many spaces quietly return to full market rate once any initial discount period expires.

At iThrive: We believe in relationships, not bait-and-switch. Your rate will remain the same for the duration of your agreement.  Our coworking agreement language is clear about how and when rates adjust at the end of your term. Our members always hear about changes before they happen — in writing, with plenty of notice.

7. How much does meeting space cost?

Okay, we had to include this one. At many spaces, these are applied as additional fees to your membership.

At iThrive: All of our memberships include credits to book meeting spaces that often range between 1-2.5 credits per hour. Coworking members receive 8 credits and Office Members receive 12 which renew monthly. This of course is added value to our iThriver’s member experience.

8. What does printing cost?

Printing is easy to overlook until you’re printing a proposal at 9 AM. Some spaces charge $0.65 per page for black-and-white and $0.99 per page for color.

At iThrive: We are not Kinko’s or Fedex, but your occasional standard black and white printing is included with your membership.

9. What if I have a billing issue or need support?

If something goes wrong with your invoice, your office, or your IT setup — how long will it take to get a real person on the line? And what does their time cost? We’ve heard of spaces charging $16 for every 10 minutes of community manager time.

At iThrive: Our community managers are here because they care about members — not because they’re billing by the minute.  Our local & very human iThrive team members answer the iThrive Helpline (our bat signal) and are here to help. If you have an issue, we want to solve it.

10. What happens if I experience hardship and need to exit my agreement?

Life happens. Businesses pivot, contracts fall through, circumstances change. At some coworking spaces, the answer to “what are my options?” is effectively: there aren’t any. Members have described being left in debt or facing eviction-style processes with no flexibility.

At iThrive: We’re people-first. We won’t pretend every situation has an easy solution — but we will have a real conversation with you. Our goal is to find a path forward together, not to leave our members without options.

The Bottom Line

Coworking spaces aren’t all created equal, and the difference between a good experience and a frustrating one often comes down to what’s in (and not in) the coworking agreement you sign. A coworking agreement should make the full monthly cost clear before you sign.

At iThrive, we want you to ask every one of these questions. We’d rather earn your trust through transparency than lock you in with a price that looks great on paper.

Ready to see the iThrive difference for yourself? Schedule a tour at and bring your questions. We’ll answer every single one.

***Terms quoted are as of June 2026