Do you know what every home office needs? In today's technological world, more and more people are working at home. Telecommuting and computer technology make off-site workers attractive to employers because the labor is so affordable and productive. Women have left cubicles, long commutes, and rush-hour traffic to run businesses at home, so having an area for work is a necessity. A home office needs physical space, equipment, furniture, and insurance.
Costs and Considerations of Setting Up a Home Office
An organized home office is one that facilitates productivity and efficiency. The first thing to consider is the actual physical space of the home office. An office can be in a bedroom, the corner of a living room, or even in the kitchen. However, for optimum work conditions, a separate room, such as spare bedroom or even the basement is ideal. Being shut off from the rest of the house puts one in more of an office frame of mind. Take into account what type of business are you running. Will clients or customers be coming to your home, or is your business run totally online? These are things to consider when you consider where to put your home office. Further, when deciding where to locate your office in your home, plan ahead for tax time. In order to qualify for a home office deduction, your office must be used exclusively for business. A computer in the kitchen that the children use for homework will not qualify for the deduction.
Insuring you home business may be a consideration as well. If clients are coming into your home, additional liability should be purchased. Equipment, furniture, and inventory may need to be insured as well.
What Does A Home Office Need And How Much Does It Cost?
Necessities for the home office include a computer, hardware, software, Internet access and furniture. An average computer will cost from $300 to $1000. Accounting software and software related to your business can run anywhere from $50 on up. Shop around for the best price on Internet providers. Sales people in this industry will often cut you a deal if you negotiate with them, so do not be afraid to ask for a bargain.
Home office furniture can be very expensive depending on how much you buy and what brand. A basic office will need a desk, desk chair, filing cabinet, shelves and desk lamps. Two or three thousand could easily be spent. However, searching yard sales, thrift stores and asking relatives and friends for hand-me-downs are budget friendly solutions. Also, if you have your office in the living room or the bedroom, consider using an armoire to house the computer. Everything can be neatly stored away behind closed doors when not in use.
Depending on your needs, you may also require a copy and fax machine. Shop for the best deals at local office supply stores and don't be hesitant to purchase refurbished models from online retailers like Overstock or Woot.
Sometimes it is the little things that add up before you know it. Do not overlook the obvious for purchasing home office supplies. Dollar and discount stores are good places to find deals on pens, pencils, note pads, post it notes, paper clips, staplers etc.
When working at home, your occupation is combined with all other aspects of your life. A well-planned, organized office that takes space, equipment, and furniture into account, will provide work at home moms a place to effectively run their businesses. A well-run business will allow moms to spend more time with their families—the main reason they work at home in the first place.
