Setting up your home office

In the process of setting up your home office? I can assure you that there is definitely a right way and a wrong way to go about this.

You may already own some bits that you intend to dedicate or takeover for your office; make sure that they are suitable however. DO not inherit problems before you start, I guarantee you alone can make your work life streamlined like a barracuda or like a ball and chain.

Initially you need to decide on specific items such as computers, possibly a phone system or better phone, a printer and a fax machine. Follow our instructions for best methods of deciding what will fit your task.

Home office systems

Computers. These days, there are many choices, it’s very easy to become confused on what specification will suit your needs. I would consider leasing than buying if you are using for business, there are many perks including tax breaks, as well as insurance / support for leased products. If your contractor business requires you to use your PC as your main tool ensure that you buy the largest monitor or consider a dual monitor. A little spent now can increase your productivity and profits later.

Phone system.  Get this right, and you daily life can be a breeze. There are several types of Voice mail. We recommend that you choose a system where you INSTANTLY know that there is a message, don’t choose a system where you have to call or lift the receiver to find out if messages are waiting for you.

Depending on the size of your contractor business, you may want to choose a virtual voice mail service; this is where a person answers your phone and will send you a sms or email with your message. It’ll make your clients think that you are very professional!

Printers The biggest advertising con around!  Do you know why you receive a free printer with a computer? It's because the manufacturer wants to LOCK you in.

Once you’ve got the printer on your desk they know that you’ll be buying replacement toner like crazy because they are so small.  Even if you budget for 5-6 sheets of printed paper a day, we highly recommend going for a cartridge printer.

Fax machine - If you expect to receive a lot of faxes daily, you'll need a dedicated fax machine, even if I wasn’t expecting a ton of fax’s I still would opt for a stand-alone machine. You know, when something breaks it’s bad enough but when its four machines in one – it makes you come to a complete standstill!

Your Monthly Time Table

We’re not talking about going back to school, but rather to make a dedicated plan to maintain and back up your software. I have never yet met a person that backs up their work. But I’ve met plenty of people that have lost ALL their data because they PC broke and they lost everything.

So here is the list in reverse, does this make you cringe?

Don’t buy the best computer and optimised screen for your desk.

Miss phone calls; get the cheapest answering option available.

Buy a printer with the smallest toner size available

Buy a three-in-one fax, printer and scanner – expect disaster when it breaks.

Never back up your PC, and NEVER clean your peripherals. 

If you keep your head and don’t fall for bum marketing you will get a streamlined home office. Remember, it’s all about getting systems in place that work for you.