Working from home is the dream of many commuters who spend endless hours stuck in traffic. With all the modern technology around a lot of people are able to make that dream a reality. Companies are figuring out that it’s more cost effective to let employees telecommute rather than rent office space, so more and more are sending their people home. if you are considering the move to work at home, there are a few things to think about in planning your office.
First of all, working from home can be much more challenging due to all the potential distractions. It is a good idea to set up your office in a room that is quiet and away from the daily activity. Basements and attics are great for this kind of thing. It also helps to have a window or two for both light and fresh air. It’s amazing how tempting it can be on a bright, sunny day to stop working for a while and step outside. A window in your office can be opened up, letting the outside come in to you. Perhaps you can even mount picture hanging hardware so that you can proudly display photos of your loved ones in addition to your diplomas and certificates.
Next, if you want to be able to write off the expense of keeping up a home office on your taxes, the space must be dedicated solely to your work. Keep the personal computer equipment, musical instruments, hobby materials, and anything else not related to work out of the office. You won’t be tempted to play, and you’ll be able to fill out your tax return honestly. Keep all the receipts for things your company doesn’t reimburse you for, just in case you’re ever audited. Make sure to purchase a spam blocker to protect your business’ inbox.
If you plan to use a lot of computer equipment and other electronic devices. consider a dedicated power circuit for that room. Too many electrical devices on a single circuit could cause blown fuses or even a fire. If you’re unsure about how to calculate for voltage and amperage, call your local electrician and have him take a look. He can run the math for you and tell you exactly what you’ll need. You also might want to consider exchange hosting if you are running a small business from home.
Once your office is complete you’ll need to establish clear boundaries with the rest of the family. They need to know what hours you are normally working so as not do disturb you during that period of time. You’ll also need to set up some clear boundaries for yourself. Set specific times to run to the kitchen for more coffee, or use the bathroom. If you still have clients to meet away from your office, stagger the appointments when possible so that you have at least some time out of the office. It’s easy to get stir crazy when you work from home, getting out from time to time could be just the right shot in the arm to keep you working your best. Just make sure you change out of your pyjamas before you leave the house!
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