Creating The Perfect Home Workspace

Running your business from your home offers a number of advantages. You’ll have flexibility, a healthy work-life balance, and you’ll save on commuting and commercial rental space. As you’re developing your business plan and operational strategy, consider what your workspace needs will look like today and in the future and design your home office with your growth potential in mind. 

Getting Started

If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to get a business license, determine an appropriate incorporation status, draft a business plan and a marketing strategy, start developing your brand, and set up an invoicing process. This includes making sure you get paid on time by giving customers a variety of payment options and keeping billing terms easy to understand. You can create branded invoices with an invoice generator. Simply download a template and customize with your own fonts, logo, and colors.

Redesigning Existing Workspace

The fastest way to get a home business up and running is to utilize your existing home work space as-is. Ideally, you’ll want office space with a door for privacy that’s removed from household traffic. You’ll be spending a lot of time in your office, so make it a comfortable environment. Paint the walls a calming color, add live plants and up-lighting, and install a workstation that’s comfortable and ergonomically sound. If you’ll be seeing clients in your office, you’ll want space for them to sit comfortably. Even though it’s a home office, it shouldn’t look like a spare bedroom you’re working from. Put diplomas and awards on the walls and don’t allow the space to be shared - it’s not a professional look for clients to see a laundry basket in the background of a Zoom call. 

Augmenting Your Space

If you have the ability to build on to or renovate your home to accommodate your growing business, it can be a worthwhile investment that adds to the appraised value of your property. You might build an entirely separate structure, like a casita, or add an office on to your home’s footprint. In this case, consider having an exterior entrance so you can “leave” the house to go to work and “leave” the office to go home. Not only is this more private and professional, according to Entrepreneur, but the delineation between work and home can also be good for your mental health. Since this will be a big undertaking, you’ll want to ensure you get several construction quotes from respected contractors, and make sure you’re building in the features your business needs for today and tomorrow.

Buying A New Home

If your business is growing and your family is growing, you might consider buying a larger home altogether. Consider all of your needs - how close are you to quality schools? Does your spouse commute to work and need to be close to a highway corridor?  How much home can you afford? You’ll want something with an established home office space, or a house that’s large enough to easily morph existing space into an office. According to UpNest, you can start your search online, but an experienced real estate agent can be an asset in helping you find a house that fits your specific needs. 

A home-based office is a great way to start or grow a business venture, and the best thing - any expenses associated with your home workspace are tax-deductible, so keep good records, establish a process for invoicing, and enlist the help of an accountant when it’s filing time. 

All Connect Plumbing provides top-notch and professional plumbing services in the Reno-Sparks area. Get a quote today!

Photo By Pixabay