To run a better business from home, do the following:
Cover the basics
- Carry out a health and safety risk assessment to identify and minimise the risks to you, your employees, visitors or residents.
- Check with your insurance provider to see if you need extra cover.
- Make sure the conditions of your mortgage or tenancy agreement allow you to use your home as a business.
- Consider your income, VAT and Capital gains position, by consulting HM Revenue and Customs and an accountant.
- Contact the local branch of your Valuation Office Agency (VOA); you may need to pay business rates.
- If you are unsure about the legal implications of working from home, talk to a solicitor.
- Before making structural changes to your home, talk to your local planning department.
Read guide - Use your home as a workplace
Be more productive
- Get fresh, go outside. A shower, clean teeth and brisk walk may do more to freshen you up for the day ahead than anything else.
- Create a separate workspace. A dedicated workspace helps avoid unwanted distractions. If you live with people, dividing your home and workspace shows respect to their personal needs.
- Schedule morning meetings. If you have a hard time getting out of bed, schedule morning meetings: the best way to fight the snooze factor.
- Get some exercise. Evidence suggests exercise increases productivity. If running your business from home means giving up your daily walk to work, regular exercise is equally important for your health too. (Always consult your doctor when starting an exercise regime.)
- Work sensible hours. The comfort of home may tempt you to work all night or through weekends - but be careful. Your productivity and health will suffer if you work excessive hours, and you could lose friends (or your mind).
- Ration your friends. To your friends, ‘work from home’ may sound like ‘pop in for a cuppa anytime’. If friends visit too often, limit their visits and explain why. They are your friends, they will understand.
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