Creating a Profitable Home Office

Creating a Profitable Home Office

So, the you want to hang out your own shingle. Starting a side business? Striking out on your own? Coping with downsizing? No matter which option fits your circumstances, you've decided you want to work from home. So let's start with an essential ingredient: your home office.

The first thing you need to determine is whether or not your local zoning allows a home office. Many people neglect this step, not even realizing it's an issue. But many places do have local zoning laws that cover home offices although they may be hard to find. Some look the other way as long as you don't put out a sign, have customers come to your office, or have deliveries. Some regulate the size ratio to living space. Some restrict home offices to the first floor of the dwelling. Be sure you are aware of the rules and regulations. If you are in violation and you come to the attention of your local zoning officer your business may be closed before you can utter the phrase "I am an entrepreneur". Think you don't need to worry about it? After all, who will know? Better be nice to all your neighbors. And consider this: if you need to hide your business, how can you successfully market it? If you don't know your local zoning laws and don't want to ask your zoning officer, check your local Chamber of Commerce or SCORE Chapter. They may be able to help.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

When you have determined that you can have a home office, where are you going to put it? You need to keep one word in mind: productivity. The place you choose may look ideal, but if you are not productive there you have defeated your purpose.

Many people have unused basement space they convert a home office. The first, you need to consider two things: No. 1, if you have allergies ; No. 2, if you are affected by light. Basements are breeding grounds for mold and mildew. You may not have noticed how this affects you if you're just running down to do an occasional load of laundry, but when you start spending 8 to 10 hours a day there, you may end up miserable. Do you crave the sunshine? Unless your basement has windows, going underground may make you anxious and irritable and have a negative effect when your productivity.

Consider traffic patterns. Many people are aware of restricting access through the office, but what about outside of the office? If high traffic areas are located right outside your office door, that may be just as distracting as someone walking through your office. And speaking of traffic, what about street noise? Can you tune it out? If not, don't pick the spare bedroom with only one window that opens on a heavily-traveled street.

What about a corner of your bedroom? Consider how this is going to affect you mentally. You need to be able to separate from your office routine. In the last thing you see before you try to go to sleep is a pile of work that needs to be done, you may find yourself up at three in the morning, anxious and sleep-deprived. If you are married or sharing your life with your significant other, they may not appreciate your early morning e-mail check or late night conference call.

Before you start extra phone lines, electrical outlets, and shelves, try setting up temporary shop for a few days. No matter where you locate your office, consider first how productive you're going to be there. Don't worry about where it is our how it looks. Worry about whether or not you can actually work there.

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