How to Know Your Home Business Needs an Outside Office

It can be complicated in determining when is the right time to move your home-based business to a separate office space in.  Moving too soon can result in overhead that is outside of the current cash flow ability.  Waiting too long may result in loss of customers or jobs. Operating out of the home can be a big plus for many small business owners. By significantly lowering your overhead expense, you can improve your profit margins in good times and reduce your risks if the business cycle heads down. The advantages of moving out of your home office boil down to increased professionalism, more space to work and unlimited growth potential. Of course, with any advantage come a few disadvantages, but nothing that can't be overcome.

There are a few signs that let you know it's time to go out and look for an office space.  For example:

Interruptions:         

• Dogs barking and family members needing your assistance will not only minimize your productivity but  can be heard on calls and teleconferences. While most understand the demands of juggling business and home life, constant interruptions and background noise are not necessarily helpful when you’re trying to project a professional image.

Outgrown Space: 

• Businesses that need a great deal of space or that need bulky equipment are obvious candidates for outside offices. But some businesses that don't need to be operated from outside offices can benefit from them.  You're struggling to fit the new printer but you're struggling because there just isn’t room between your file cabinet and the queen-sized bed that also sits in your office.   Maybe you do need a larger space that can be devoted just to your business.  Piles of equipment or papers that are interfering with either your work or your family life also send a signal that it’s time to consider an outside office.

Space for Clients:   

• When a big portion of your business involves meeting with clients, you may need more than just the local  coffee shop. When you want to present to a larger group or need a truly professional meeting space, you’ll need to find something a little more appropriate than a café. One option is to rent office space – you’ll get a set amount of hours in an office, along with access to a conference room.

Most  businesses with outside locations tend to be easier to sell and to bring higher prices. For one thing, the new owner doesn't have to scout out a new location and go to the expense of moving; for another, customers and clients are already accustomed to visiting a particular office and can continue to patronize it despite the new ownership.

Some businesses operate most efficiently when they are located close to customers, suppliers, or certain other facilities or businesses. For example, law offices are often located close to the county courthouse, in part to minimize the time spent running back and forth to court. Also, many customers or clients seem to feel that a business with a permanent address other than someone's home is less likely to be a fly-by-night operation, and more likely to be able to deliver on guarantees.

Moving Your Home Business to an Office

The decision to relocate has to be made with specific regard to the future of the business. It needs precise planning and research, the establishment needs to be faultless and the owner needs to be sure that relocating is the answer for his/her business future. Once you have made the decision to move your home business to an office, you have some planning to do.

The advantages of moving out of your home office comes down to increased professionalism, more space to work and unlimited growth potential.  And less much less distraction. Renting a small office at a good price can be very meaningful.

The first decision you make when you have already decided to rent an office, should be your desired location. It’s usually a good idea to start looking at offices near your house to avoid a long commute. Of course, while this is the ideal option, it may not work out perfectly when you consider other details that greatly affect your business.  You need to make sure the new location reaches your target audience, so do some research of the surrounding area to find out who lives near the building you are considering. Try giving Van Nuys Offices a call, they have small offices for short terms and for only $195 a month. 

Second thing you should consider highly is making sure that all your office furniture, including desks, filing cabinets, and bookshelves, will fit into the new office space. Make sure you leave room for expansion, especially if you plan to hire a few employees soon. Also, consider where customers will sit when they come into the office.  Draw a layout, measure your furniture and move your furniture around so that you can get an idea of how much square footage you will need.

Last thing after you have found your perfect office, you signed a lease, and now you're ready to start running your business from the office.  DON'T  FORGET to update your address on all your licenses, bank account, vendor accounts, post office, and all your stationary.  If you regularly get inventory shipments, you need to let the distributor know your company’s new address ahead of time. This can prevent you from having to move merchandise shortly after it is dropped off at your house, so be sure to update your business address. You will have to do the same for your mail and any marketing materials that feature your current address.