Issues to Consider When Setting up a Home Office

Location
Your home office should offer privacy and enough elbow room to hold the equipment and furniture you will require to effectively conduct your business. If you plan on holding client meetings in your home office, look for a room or rooms that are removed from your family surroundings. Maintain as much of a professional atmosphere as possible.
Budget
Run numbers. Determine how much you can comfortably afford to spend outfitting your home office with equipment and furniture. Don’t forget to budget for additional phone lines, electrical wiring, carpentry, and supplies for the office. Before you go and spend a nickel, look around your home. Do you own items such as pens, paper, scissors, extra phones, tables, chairs, and desks that you can use in your home office?
Building permits
You will need an occupancy permit if you intend to run a business from your home in a residential area that is not zoned for business. Your local building and zoning department, typically located in your town or city hall, should be able to provide you with the necessary permits and advise you on all local zoning restrictions.
Insurance
Homeowners' insurance usually provides a rider that can be attached to cover computers and office equipment including copiers, fax machines, scanners, and printers. Check out the latest pricing on the equipment you own and select coverage limits that will protect your investment. You may also need insurance for vehicles used in your business and liability coverage for accidents related to the use of your product or service.
Answering options
Decide whether or not you want an answering machine, voice mail, or an outside service to field calls during your absence or unavailability. If it is important in your business to have a responsive human being answer customer calls, go for the service. Voice mail systems can either be software-based systems that are installed on your personal computer, or purchased through an outside service provider, such as a telephone company, that offers voice mail boxes.
If you can afford it, have someone other than yourself answer your phones. Hire a receptionist, even a part-time one, or enlist the assistance of a family member or friend to help out two or three times week. You’ll be surprised at what a great, professional impression this makes on outsiders. You’ll appear to be very well established!
Create an image
Look professional. Create a logo. Use it on letterhead stationary, business cards, matching envelopes, four-color brochures, and sales collateral materials. Be consistent in your design. Carry the logo and color schemes throughout all of your business printing. Use good paper for printing.
And here’s a great attention-getter—sponsoring a community event where your company name and logo will be prominently displayed.
Discipline
Focus on running your business. Eliminate distractions such as children, neighbors, and friends. Let your friends and family know that you are serious about your work—tell them that they just can’t pop into your office whenever they feel like it.
Don’t wander into your kitchen for coffee. Don’t answer your personal phone. Don’t check on the dog. These diversions will hamper your effectiveness in managing and growing your business. Remember, you are at work—and not really at home!