Small Business Start Up Guide

The Small Business Start Up Guide For The Work at Home Business

This small business start up guide focuses on the work at home business, if you are planning to work from home, below are a few things for you to bear in mind when setting up your home business. When working from home it’s a good idea to try and have a separate working area from the rest of your home, an outside area would be ideal such as: a garage, shed or anywhere that you will not be disturbed and an area that can be secured so that:

  • your work equipment won't be a hazard to members of your family
  • the possibility of unintentional damage to your work/equipment is reduced
  • easier to "shut off" from home life, and to deal with clients in a professional manner

If you are unable to have your own space while working from home then a partial segregation is the next best option. You could:

  • use equipment in a general area of the house such as a corner of a sitting or dining room
  • use a filing cabinet or draw to keep your  papers and files separate
  • use a lockable cupboard so that your PC and other equipment can be safely put away

Small Business Start Up Information,
Health and Safety

Keep in mind the safety of other people in your household, as you’ll probably have extra cables, wires, boxes, equipment  that may get in the way of members of your family/visitors/workers and this may cause a risk risk/hazard to them

Contact your local Health and Safety officer to find out more details about the Health and Safety regulations and how they apply to you and your home business.

Also, where you aware that, using part of your house for your business can have tax and insurance implications? If you intent to work from home, it’s a good idea to check and see that your mortgage or tenancy agreement permits you to run a business from home.

At some point the following agencies should be on your list of people to contact:

  • your insurance provider, extra cover may be needed
  • any new business has to register with HER Majesty Revenue & Customs,
  • seek advice from an accountant in regards to V.AT, accounts and finance
  • find out the best suited Business Structure for you e.g. sole trader, company etc
  • contact your local VOA Valuation Office Agency to see if you will be charged business rates to work from home.

If you use part of a room in your house for business then this may not apply to you, but using a whole room may be different, as you will be changing the use of the room from domestic to business, to make certain seek professional advice

Small Business Start Up Information Pros and Cons

Here is a quick overview of the Pros and Cons of a work from home small business.

  • Cheaper starting cost than renting an office 
  • Save time looking for suitable premises.
  • No long term lease to be tied in to
  • Work around your family commitments
  • Your family and friends can help and support you
  • No traveling to work which saves time and money

However, there are disadvantages from home working too, you may find that you have problems with the following areas:

  • Keeping work life separate from home life can be difficult
  • Most of the time you will be working on your own
  • Distractions from the home from friends and family
  • You can feel isolated and lonely
  • Meeting clients in your house may be inappropriate

This small business start up guide covers basic start up information and considerations that you should know when starting your home business. Also do your own additional research to make sure that you have all your bases covered.

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