POVLITZ Inc | Business and Entrepreneur

Home Office Space Requirements Checklist

□ Working. At a minimum, you need room for a desk, chair, computer, phone, and other supplies.

□ Storage. You will need a file cabinet and room for boxes and other storage goods.

□ Books and supplies. You will need space for bookshelves.

□ Grunge work. You will need space for assembling materials, stuffing envelopes, and the like.

□ Conference space. If you will be meeting with clients, you will need room for chairs or a couch and a table.

□ Other. Do you need space for employees? What about for specialized goods, a waiting area for clients, or production facilities?

Home Office Infrastructure Requirements Checklist

□ Electrical wiring. It’s usually worth the money to install extra outlets. If you do, consider installing them above desk level. If your office is going to be relatively equipment-heavy, consider placing those electrical outlets on a separate circuit breaker.

□ Phone lines. You should have at least two phone lines, one for the phone and one for faxes. Make sure your phone jacks are close to electrical outlets to support equipment that requires both.

□ Internet. Any home-based business starting today will need to get wired for high-speed Internet access. DSL lines eliminate the need for dialing, are up to 50 times faster than dial-up, and can accommodate multiple users on one connection. DSL is available through many different providers that can be found in your phone book or on the Net. Similarly, cable Internet access employs cable technology to provide high-speed access using your area’s cable TV infrastructure. Your local cable company usually provides this service.

□ Ventilation. In a forced-air system, there is usually a vent on the floor and one on the ceiling. Do not put your equipment near them.

□ Lighting. Try to use as much natural light as you can. Add in a mix of ambient lighting (ceiling fixtures) and task lighting (a desk lamp).

Home Office Equipment Requirements Checklist

□ Desk. You need a desk large enough for what you will be doing, but keep in mind that a huge desk can overpower a small room. In fact, a desk need not be big to be good, and plenty of compact computer desks are available today. How much will you spend on a desk? It will run you anywhere from $200 to $2,000, depending upon your needs and budget.

□ Chair. Usually, your chair is more important than your desk. If you will be sitting a lot, your chair is essential. Get a good one. A good ergonomic chair should cradle your back, encourage good posture, and allow for height, back, and arm adjustments. How much will you spend? Expect to spend at least $200 and easily more than $500 for an excellent chair.

□ Computer. Don’t skimp here. A cheap computer will be out of date in a year or two.

□ Copier/printer/scanner/fax machine. These days, it is easy and affordable to buy one machine that handles all of these duties.

□ Two-line phone. Preferably, you want a phone with a display that tells you who is calling on the other line.

□ Answering machine or answering service. Answering services are not inexpensive. They can easily cost several hundred dollars a month, but may be worth it if yours is a business that requires a professional image.

□ File cabinet. You can skimp here. Buy used.

□ Bookshelves. Again, this is something you can buy used, although an attractive pressboard bookcase can be found at office supply stores for around $100.

□ Cell phone or pager. Not everyone needs your cell phone or pager number.

It is strongly recommended that you set up a separate phone line for your new business and that you buy a two-line phone. You may even need three phone lines in your home—one for personal use, one for business use, and a dedicated fax/modem line. There are several advantages to having a separate business line for your business calls.

First, it is more professional. It conveys a message that yours is a legitimate business. Your answering machine/voice mail won’t be asking your customers to leave a message for your teenage daughter, as it would if you shared a phone line with the family. A separate phone line keeps your business and your personal life separate.

Moreover, a separate phone line may mean that you will get more business. By having your business phone be an actual business line, the phone company will be able to list you in the business section of the White Pages and you will be able to have an ad in the Yellow Pages. It also means that you will get more done. Having one single line for home, business, computer, and fax simply makes no sense in this day and age.