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With so many people working from home these days, a proper office is more important than
ever. For small business owners running a business out of their homes, a home office or studio is vital to maintain productivity and momentum. Whether you need to make renovations on your home or buy a brand new one, be sure to prioritize your workspace to help grow your business. Here are a few tips from 3rd Eye Home Inspection.
Renovating your home
If your home doesn’t afford you the possibility of converting a guest room into your office, it
might be worth looking at other areas of your house that could be renovated to become an office space. Common areas that can be renovated include attics, basements, and garages.
Not all attics are great for office space, so it’s a good idea to have a contractor visit your home to see if it’s viable for renovating. In order for it to be a comfortable office, it should have proper insulation, wiring, and, if possible, natural light. Determine if there are any structural changes needed to make it safe, and ensure that your design follows local building codes.
If the attic isn’t viable, At Home Mum notes that your basement could be a good option for your home office. As with an attic renovation, a basement should have some basic features such as solid insulation and electricity. Hire contractors to help with major projects such as structural work or wiring.
Another area that could be used for an office is a garage. If you’re not using the garage for a
vehicle, SpareFoot suggests it’s possible to section off part of it and make some minimal
renovations to use it as an office. Keeping it warm, dry, and bright will be your biggest
challenges, so determine what needs to be upgraded to make your garage office as comfortable
as possible.
No matter where you choose to locate your office space, know that it’s a worthwhile investment should you one day decide to sell your home. Multi-functional spaces (spaces that can be transformed for other uses, such as an exercise room) are especially attractive to buyers, and, although ROI will vary depending on how much you spend to renovate, your home’s appraisal value will likely take a nice bump.
Designing an office
When you have your space mapped out, then the fun begins: designing your office. While there are endless options out there for design, try to make it fit your business and your personality. Determine what elements you’ll need to do business — a desk, chair, laptop, etc. — and then add in your personal touches, whether it’s a houseplant, a comfortable couch for taking breaks, or artwork for the walls. Sometimes it helps to have some inspiration, so look online for photos of other designs to help you generate ideas.
Depending on your business, you might find yourself working closely with a remote team, which might necessitate sharing rather long and complicated files. If so, you’ll want to take measures to enhance efficiency. One simple tactic to make things a little easier is to use a free PDF file merger tool.
Getting a new home
If your home just isn’t right for your business, it’s probably time to start looking for something
new. Start by researching home prices and determine how much house you can get that’s within your budget. If you’re more interested in renting, sites like Rent.com can help. For instance, there are currently 1,658 available in Atlanta alone.
A dedicated home office is vital for small business owners operating out of their homes.
Consider ways to renovate your home to accommodate your business, whether it’s making
changes in your attic, basement, or garage.
The goal of 3rd Eye Home Inspection is to treat our clients the way we want to be treated. Purchasing a new home can be overwhelming for first-time home buyers. Let's work together to alleviate some of that stress. Call 404-410-1109.