In the beginning, most small business owners work from home. As the business grows, however, so might your workspace needs. So you can either stick with a home office, move to a rented office or do a bit of both! But which option is right for you, and what are the pros and cons?
Having worked both from home and from a rented office, I’ve discovered what the best (and worst!) parts of each option are.
In the last few years, as we came out of the pandemic years and settled into a “new normal”, a hybrid approach has been favoured by many. When working for someone else, you might not have a choice in the matter! But when you are your own boss, it’s worth weighing up everything from the costs to the social aspects to find the right fit for you.
Is working from an office better for socialising & networking?
When you work from home it can get quite lonely, especially if you’re stuck inside by yourself all day. A rented office, on the other hand, offers several opportunities for socialising and networking.
You can easily work as a team and collaborate with colleagues or other businesses. You can quickly organise meetings or attend events organised by other members of the office.
Even simple things like having a chat with people when you’re on your tea break can make a big difference if you’re a sociable person!
Find out about the 10 things I’ve learned by running my own small business.
Will my expenses be lower if I work from home?
The main negative of rented office space for small business owners is the cost associated with it. Especially when your business is new, office rent can seem like an unnecessary expense if you can work from home for free.
You don’t have to pay rent on a home office, but there are some hidden costs. For example, you’ll be using a lot more heating and electricity if you’re at home every day.
You’ll need to buy office furniture and you may need to upgrade your broadband or telephone service. However, you can claim some of this back from HMRC as tax relief to help cover the costs of a home office.
This is where rented offices in co-working spaces can come in handy. You can usually book out the space for just one or two days a week. This means you have somewhere to go to get yourself out of the house, but without the financial pressure of a full time office just for you.
Does a rented office look more professional than a home office?
Whilst you can, of course, still be very professional when working from home, a home office can sometimes appear quite casual. You may also find it difficult to separate home and work life (we’re all guilty of working from the sofa in our pyjamas sometimes!).
Or you might feel uncomfortable inviting clients or colleagues into your office as it’s within your private home rather than a professional office. With a rented office, it’s much easier to separate professional life and personal life and to keep your office a business-focused environment.
Are there more distractions in an office or working from home?
A rented office can be full of distractions. Other people can be noisy when you’re trying to work, or they might stop by your desk for a chat when you’re right in the middle of doing something.
It’s also easier for people to call you into last-minute meetings if you’re in a physical office space with them. But if you work from home it has its fair share of distractions too.
You might have pets or kids running around, it can be tempting to switch on the TV and sometimes even cleaning the kitchen seems like a good idea when you want to procrastinate!
This is one factor only you can decide on – ask yourself which environment is more distracting to you personally.
What are the pros and cons of commuting?
When you work from home, there’s no commute so you don’t waste any time. If you’re busy, this extra time is really helpful. If you’re less busy, it means you can have a lie in!
With a rented office, you will need to set aside time for commuting. But this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If it’s a short commute, a walk in the fresh air is a great way to get ready for the day.
If it’s a longer commute, make use of your time. Reply to emails on the bus, draft up plans on the train, or listen to useful podcasts in the car.
Are productivity and flexibility higher when you work from home?
With a rented office, you often have to stick to set hours when the building is open. At home, however, you can work any hours you like. That’s very helpful if you have a tight deadline or feel particularly inspired late in the evening.
Working from home also allows you to organise your day so it is the most productive for you. There won’t be any distractions from co-workers and you can work around any other commitments you have. In a rented office, things can be a lot less flexible.
Are you less likely to get unwell if you work from home?
A few years ago, this is something that many of us likely never truly considered. But when the pandemic led many businesses to move their staff to remote working to keep them safe, it became a very real talking point for work life more generally.
Working from home minimises your contact with the others, which (as discussed above) can be negative socially, but undoubtedly reduces your likelihood of catching anything that is going around at the time! So, especially if you have any existing health concerns, this is worth keeping in mind.
Remember though, if you do go out and about outside of working hours, this might not be a high enough concern to put you off an office space!
A hybrid approach has become my go to…
Overall, there are definitely pros and cons to both. Whether you opt to work from home, from a rented office or to do a mix of the two depends a lot on your business, your personality and your style of working.
I personally loved the flexibility of working from home. But it was quite lonely after a few years, especially in busy times. At some point going to networking events and having meetings with clients or other freelancers wasn’t enough to socialise either.
I love that with my shared office I now have the choice between working quietly and having a chat with people. And I can still work from home if I want to – it’s the best of both worlds!
KEEP READING
To read more about this topic, have a look at these:
The Pros and Cons of Hiring Employees for your Small Business
Edinburgh’s Best Co-Working Offices for Small Businesses
15 Things I’ve Learned Running My Own Small Business
6 Things to Consider before Growing your Small Business
