Blog by Erie Insurance
Home-based businesses are on the rise. According to research done by IncFile, a small business start-up firm based out of Houston, Texas, it’s estimated that there are 38 million home-based businesses that generate $427 billion a year in the United States. Of those businesses, 20 percent of them bring in $100-500k per year. Big or small, home-based businesses all share one common challenge: Setting up a space to get work done.
Not sure where to start? Then read on to get some tips to set up your home-based business office.
EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES
- Set a budget and stick to it. Chances are you don’t have an abundance of funds if you’re just starting out. That’s why it’s important to create a budget and commit to it. Thrift stores, clearance aisles and yard sales are all great ways to score good buys if you’re on a tight budget.
- Think through technology. Do you need a new phone line? Consider a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), which allows you to make voice calls over a broadband connection. You might need a faster internet connection to support it.
- Keep your receipts and bills. Many items that you purchase and a percentage of your utility bills (including that high-speed internet) for your home-based office might be eligible to deduct from your taxes.
- Think about the equipment you really need. If you’re going to use a piece of equipment on a daily basis, buy it. For equipment you use less often, a trip to a copier or office supplies store may be more economical.
- Stock up on supplies. Whether it’s paper, pens, printer ink or boxes, make sure to have plenty of supplies on hand. Constantly having to buy one thing at a time cuts into your productivity — plus, you can usually pay less if you buy in bulk.
- Invest in ergonomics. A properly set up work station helps lessen muscle fatigue, increases productivity and reduces the risk of work-related injuries (like carpel tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, or other muscle strains).