When is best to move from home to an office

[AntoniaLuella]

Hi.

At what point do you guys think is best for one to move from working from home to an office.

 

[estwig]

When there is an opportunity to make more money from doing so.

Until then, stay where you are.

 

[Ashley_Price]

As said above, only when the figures show it will be profitable to do. Does your business mean you have people visiting you? If so, can you meet them somewhere else - at their premises for example, or a coffee shop? Maybe even hire a "meeting room" when you need it.

I moved from home to a small office when I needed to have a part time temp, and I realised that a female temp may not be overly happy working in our spare bedroom, with the bed in one corner and my wife out from 7:30am to 6pm.

Another thing to consider is whether you feel happy working from home. My wife hated being cooped up at home every day. When we moved to an office and she came back to working with me she was much happier because she felt she was "going to work".

 

[AntoniaLuella]

As said above, only when the figures show it will be profitable to do. Does your business mean you have people visiting you? If so, can you meet them somewhere else - at their premises for example, or a coffee shop? Maybe even hire a "meeting room" when you need it.

I moved from home to a small office when I needed to have a part time temp, and I realised that a female temp may not be overly happy working in our spare bedroom, with the bed in one corner and my wife out from 7:30am to 6pm.

Another thing to consider is whether you feel happy working from home. My wife hated being cooped up at home every day. When we moved to an office and she came back to working with me she was much happier because she felt she was "going to work".

THIS, I am going to be employing two new temps and don't feel comfortable with them being around my house, I'm starting a part time course (hence why I'm hiring) so will be out off the office (aka my loft) for a few days and don't feel safe with someone just being in my whilst all day whilst I'm not there and feel an office would be best.

Any advice on how to get around this?

 

[estwig]

THIS, I am going to be employing two new temps and don't feel comfortable with them being around my house, I'm starting a part time course (hence why I'm hiring) so will be out off the office (aka my loft) for a few days and don't feel safe with someone just being in my whilst all day whilst I'm not there and feel an office would be best.

Any advice on how to get around this?

It's difficult, but if you don't trust them in your house, why would you trust them in an office??

Not saying your thinking is wrong, quite right to have employees in a place of work. Could you sub the work out, I believe outsource is the modern phrase. Offices are expensive and often taken on for ego, above the prioity of making money.

 

[AntoniaLuella]

It's difficult, but if you don't trust them in your house, why would you trust them in an office??

Not saying your thinking is wrong, quite right to have employees in a place of work. Could you sub the work out, I believe outsource is the modern phrase. Offices are expensive and often taken on for ego, above the prioity of making money.

Estwig, I feel grateful more than anything for your advice, can tell you are just trying to help.

The thing is not trusting them but it's just like two working from my house whilst I'm out, the idea is a little 'odd' to me, however two of my workers working in an office seen more realistic.

I haven't thought of outsourcing, what has your experience been with that?

 

[estwig]

Estwig, I feel grateful more than anything for your advice, can tell you are just trying to help.

The thing is not trusting them but it's just like two working from my house whilst I'm out, the idea is a little 'odd' to me, however two of my workers working in an office seen more realistic.

I haven't thought of outsourcing, what has your experience been with that?

Very broad question, I've subbed out work as a builder and am just starting to look at 'outsourcing' my CAD work. It works well, you have to trust people and not pay them until the work is complete! Break the task down into chunks that can be undertaken by others without your intervention.

I've had an office and am now back at home with an office in the garden, luv it, wild horses wouldn't drag me back to employing people and having premises.


But we ain't all the same. I just feel if you can find a solution that keeps your overheads down and your commitment low, especially to start with, do it.

 

[popunder]

If you have a decent-sized garden you could get a timber office out there, there are plenty to choose from and many have double-glazing and security, ie: they're not just big sheds. Probably cheaper long-term than renting an office and adds value to your home, or some you can take with you if you move. These are fab http://www.atelierzone.com/ but probably not the cheapest!

 

[peterbirganza]

When personally you feel that it is useful for you than you have to move. As i think no one can exactly tell you that when you should move because terms and conditions for every one are different according to their preferences.

Best Of Luck,

Peter birganza

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

If you can sit on a park bench all day with a laptop and phone you wont go wrong .No rent ,No rates all the money is yours

 

[RedEvo]

I don't agree with some of the comments above. If you move to an office complex, like those run by local authorities etc, you may find your business grows faster as your profile is raised and you will meet people in and around the office who may be able to help.

I delayed moving from a home office for too long, I wish I'd done it sooner.

IMHO we were taken more seriously once we upped our game and rented an office.

Just my view

d

 

[What If]

^^^ agree ^^^
Similar experience for me. I found that I became so much more productive when I didn't have the distractions from home. So it was worth the cost for me. But I would say that you should only do it you expect it to 'add value' to the business/you and the business can afford it.

 

[bdw]

Something to consider if it applies to you.

Currently I work from a home office. I have an associate who does the same from his house. We work apart together. Much of my work can be done at any time of day. If I choose to go for a walk in the afternoon I can come home, have dinner and start work again at 7 pm or whatever. I like this flexibility.

I created a very successful website for a grateful client who has spare office space in his premises. He offered me an office basically for expenses only. It was a very attractive offer because it is only about ten minutes drive away. After considering it I had to turn it down because I would lose much of this ability to work at any time.

(I know I could have the office and also still work from home but this presents further problems.)

.

 

[virtuallysorted]

Despite the fact that I am one of those useful people who takes on outsourced work, I must admit I work from an office rather than from home.... I'm just much more productive at the office and TBH my cat is not particularly office friendly - she does make quite a lot of noise and has the inclination to attack the printer on occasion!! Having said that, I do have a home office (with an all important lockable door) and I do find certain tasks are easier to do at home - creative stuff, planning, things which need a bit of thinking about with lots of tea!

I think it's a personal choice - where are you most productive? The physical aspect of having to have people in the house shouldn't really come into it, as most admin tasks can be done remotely and you don't pay for "dead time" where the virtual assistant isn't working.

 

[estwig]

I don't agree with some of the comments above. If you move to an office complex, like those run by local authorities etc, you may find your business grows faster as your profile is raised and you will meet people in and around the office who may be able to help.

I delayed moving from a home office for too long, I wish I'd done it sooner.

IMHO we were taken more seriously once we upped our game and rented an office.

Just my view

d

Did you think this would be the case before moving to an office, or was it purely happy coincidence?

If it was your thinking it would help your business grow faster, what where the deciding factors that bought you to this conclusion?

The 'shall I move to an office' question is one that is constantly at the back of my mind, as I'm sure it is many others here. Interesting to know your thoughts.

 

[cowork]

I believe the best time to move into an office and away from the hope is as soon as possible! We have set up a space for all of those people who want to move out of home but can't see the point of their own office.

have a look at our site www.co-work.co