Realise that you are not alone. The home business network Enterprise Nation estimates that more than 70% of new businesses are currently started from home, and government figures show that there are now 2.9 million home based businesses in the UK generating a turnover of £300 billion.
Establish a clear boundary between your business and the rest of your home, otherwise one will encroach on the other. Designate a separate part of the house as your office. A spare room or warm garage is ideal if you have one, a corner of another room if not. And be rigorous about keeping all your business papers and equipment in one place. Decide when your working day will begin and end, and make sure the rest of the family knows not to interrupt you when you are working or on the phone.
Get insured. If you store equipment and stock for your business at home then you may need to upgrade your existing domestic home contents policy to a business policy, otherwise you may not be covered in the event of fire, theft or damage. Make sure you stay safe too - equip your home office with a smoke alarm, fire extinguisher and first aid kit.
Get the right permits. If your business makes food you may need to obtain a licence from your local council and be inspected by their health and safety officers. If it is going to create noise or smells or require regular deliveries, or if customers will visit your house, you may need to apply for planning permission from your local council. Contact them and find out their requirements.
Check your mortgage or tenancy agreement to ensure that there are no specific restrictions preventing you from running a business from home.
If you don’t want to use your home address for business correspondence, or if it does not sound sufficiently business-like, no problem. Either rent a virtual mailing address – firms such as Regus and Avanta can provide one - or hire a PO Box number from the Royal Mail. A virtual office service will send post on to you, while you will need to collect your PO Box mail from your local post office.
Present a professional image. Get your phone answered promptly, either by yourself by forwarding it to your mobile, or by hiring a virtual telephone answering service. Hold meetings away from the home, for example in a hotel lounge, rented meeting room or at client’s offices. Don’t go out of your way to announce to customers and suppliers that you run your business from home unless you feel that it is relevant, as they may question your size and ability to handle orders.
You may need to pay business rates if your property is part business and part domestic, for example, if you live above your shop. You may also be liable if you sell goods or services to people who visit your property, if you employ other people to work at your property, or if you’ve made changes to your home for your business, for example converted a garage to a hairdressers. If any of this applies to you, you may also need to pay Capital Gains Tax on the part of your property which you pay business rates on, if you sell it.
Icon Offices provides luxury serviced offices in the heart of East London / Essex. With top of the range facilities and infrastructure, Icon Offices could be the ideal base for your business. Super fast broadband, phone lines and utility bills are all included free in your rent along with a complimentary receptionist and free allocated parking. We even provide free access to meeting rooms and to our elegant business lounge, giving you everything that you need to take your business forward. It is the best way to run your business from home.
You must be a registered user to add a comment here. If you've already registered, please log in. If you haven't registered yet, please register and log in.
