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10 Points to Make Home Offices Work

Written by: Susan Regier

Article Overview: A check list to consider when opening a home office.

10 Points to Make Home Offices Work

These days, more and more people are opting of doing at least part of their job at home.

To make it work, you must design your home office space carefully.

1. Separate your work area from your living area: attics, basements, and rooms over detached garages are ideal

2. If you must use the main part of the house, locate your workspace to minimize domestic distractions

3. Choose the right environment for you to support the way you think, feel, and work – consider furniture, colours, or even a simple desk overlooking a peaceful garden

4. Consider your visitors – if you have visits from colleagues, a boss, vendors, clients, or others – pay attention to the kind of statement your work environment makes

5. Ideally, have a separate outside entrance

6. Visitors may need to use a restroom – ideally, the office area should have its own bathroom that is off limits to family members or designate one of the family bathrooms for office use

7. Have at least one separate phone line exclusively for the home office – you may need others for fax or Internet

8. Check with an electrician about adding a couple of circuits for copiers, laser printers, and computers if required

9. Establish general ground rules for you and your family

10. Zoning – find out the details about parking, signage, and running a business in a residential neighbourhood to make sure you're not breaking the law

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