If you find yourself unemployed or working from home, is your home adequately prepared for you to get the job done? If not, what changes are necessary in order for you to have a suitable setting in order to conduct business from your residence? Do you need to bring in a handyman to assemble your office?
According to information from Telework Research Network, as of 2010, approximately 2.8 million employees (or just more than 2% of the U.S. workforce) telecommute a majority of the time. That number does not include self-employed workers or unpaid volunteers.
So if you find yourself telecommuting you will want a home office that is easy to access, provides you with privacy, and offers you both good lighting and room to expand should your home work needs grow.
Purchasing the needed home office tools
Once you have the area set up as you need it, consider what tools will be necessary for your work station.
Among the common items are office furniture, office technology, and office supplies. Here is a breakdown of each of these, beginning with the work space and furniture:
• Make sure you have plenty of space in which to do your work. If space allows, a corner L-shaped desk is a good fit. You also want enough room for your computer, along with a printer and fax machine if necessary.
• Allow space for items like filing cabinets and shelving. Even though we live in a technological age, there is still a need to file away paperwork. The cabinets and/or shelves should be within easy reach of your desk so that you don’t have to leave your chair and go to another end of the room when you need files. You may need to bring in a handyman to properly install your shelves.
• Make it so that you can easily get in and out of your work area without the potential for falling or misplacing things. This is especially important in the event that you have clients stop by to conduct business.
• If you are just starting out working from home, consider going with less expensive furniture, cabinets, etc. This will allow you to save some money and build on your revenue—then you can buy a little bit nicer stuff.
Regarding technological devices, you will need the following for your home office:
• A computer will always be priority number one, be it a laptop or desktop. Laptops are certainly popular choices, given that they offer more flexibility, take up less space, and are available at great prices. If you are satisfied with being tied down to a desk, a desktop computer is a suitable choice, especially since they generally have a longer shelf life than laptops.
• The second most important item is a printer. While some folks can get away without one, most will find that they need it. Just like when you shop for furniture, keep in mind that you do not need a mammoth size printer with all kinds of functions and features. Keep it simple when starting out so that you do not spend a ton of money on something that can be had for a couple hundred dollars.
• Even though fax machines are still in use, more and more companies (whether you are self-employed or work from home for your employer) are finding less and less need for them. With the continuing advancement of cell phones, computers, and other technology gadgets, fax machines could soon go the way of electric typewriters, land line phones in the home, and point-and-shoot cameras.
When it comes to home office supplies, make sure you are stocked up on items such as paper, pens and pencils, mailing envelopes, etc. Be sure to look for deals on things like paper so that you are saving money while staying stocked up.
Last but not least, keep receipts from all of your purchases during the year so that you can deduct the items that relate to your business when you do your taxes the following year.
With 23 years of experience as a writer, Dave Thomas covers a wide array of topics from home improvements to starting your own small business.
Article originally published by EiEi Homes Inc. For more information on articles, reviews, and contractors in your area, please see their website at www.eieihome.com
