When people start up their businesses, they often choose to do them from home initially. Often this is because it is just them responsible for the growth and handling of the business affairs, and it can significantly reduce your overheads and costs. However, as time moves on, you may find that your business outgrows your home. You might want to hire people, or have a place to meet clients and customers and do business. This is when the next step to move into a business location can be the ideal move. But while it seems like the obvious choice, there will be things you won’t have considered. Here is a helpful reminder.
The increase in your costs
One of the first things you may not have properly considered is the increase in costs. It is isn’t just about the rent payment or lease you will have entered into, there are other factors to consider such as running costs. For example, heating and water bills. Make sure you factor in all of the costs and ensure that this is the right move. It might be that the property you want is not affordable after all, and may need to be reconsidered. Of course, these are just small elements, but when it comes to predicting your profits, it is good to know exactly what deductions are needing to take place.
The responsibility you have for customers
The main purpose of a new location could be that you can showcase your products in a shop environment, or give examples of the work you can do in a showroom layout. This then means that you are inviting customers on to your business premises and you now have the responsibility of their welfare. If any accident was to happen, they could contact attorneys such as Cain Law Office who specialise in premises liability claims. The best advice is to be aware of any potential dangers, and to give pre warning for things like slippery floors and unsafe areas.
The responsibility you have for staff
The same thing can be said for the welfare of any staff you have working for you. You now have a duty of care to ensure that they are safe and able to work in the environment you have created. Things such as room temperature and adequate rest areas, to ensuring that they are not working too many hours and get plenty of time to rest. In these cases, it could be worth putting together a health and safety policy to cover you as an employer, as staff can also make claims against you if there’s injuries caused through working for you and on your premises.
The location is everything and ease of access
Finally, the location of your work premises is so important. Not just because you want to use it as a marketing tool and gain foot fall and traffic to your business, but also because of the ease of access. If you are inviting customers in they need to be able to comfortably do that, and not everyone can use the stairs, for example. Making sure that your business is easily accessible as well as having a prime spot are essential for making this work for you.
Let’s hope highlighting these things helps you make the next transition for your home business.