How to Set up an Office - DIY Chatroom - Home Improvement Site

DIY Chatroom - DIY Home Improvement Site

Carpentry | Construction | Electrical | Flooring | HVAC | Landscaping | Painting | Plumbing | Roofing

How to Set up an Office

How to Set up an Office

advertisement

Instructions

Step 1:
Search for available office properties in your desired location. Contact local real estate agents and property management companies that own office buildings in the area to find out what is available for rent, lease or to own. If you are starting a business, renting or leasing an office space is a more practical approach.
Step 2:
View available properties. Check that the properties have sufficient space for your business. If you are going to be meeting clients in the office, the building needs to be appealing and have parking adjacent to the building. Check the spaces for plenty of power outlets and phone jacks. Inspect the restrooms to see if they can accommodate your needs.
Step 3:
Choose a location. Your location needs to be up to the city's building standards. Contact the Building Inspections department in your city to find out about building codes for a commercial building. The rent and insurance at the location you pick must fall into your budget. Remember that you can move your business at a later date if finances allow. Many businesses began in small offices and move to larger, nicer spaces later on.
Step 4:
Decide exactly how many people need to work in the office and how much space they need to do their jobs well. If you have one person doing all of the accounting, they need a larger office with plenty of filling cabinets to accommodate the paperwork. Receptionist and secretaries require less room. If you have multiple sales personnel that work out of the office, they can share office space with desks placed back-to-back, or in corners of the room.
Step 5:
Set up all utilities and Internet access for your office. If you have multiple computers, organize a network server so you can share information with others in the office.
Step 6:
Buy office equipment and furniture. If you are on a tight budget, there are used office furniture stores in many large cities. Stores such as Office Depot and Wal-Mart have a wide selection of cheaper desks and filing cabinets. Buy multiple-line phones for each desk, if needed. Office chairs may be purchased used or new. Purchase computers for all employees that need them. If you have sales people who come in and out of the office, purchase one computer for them to share. You also need a network printer and filing cabinets for all employees to use.
Step 7:
Purchase office supplies. Companies like Office Depot and Office Max give credit accounts to small businesses. The accounts offer discounts and the ability to purchase online with next-day shipping. Buy plenty of pens, note pads, printer paper, paper clips, staplers, staples and other office supplies you need.

Tips & Warnings

Xerox offers free printers for businesses that print a set amount of pages each month, if the company agrees to purchase printer ink from them for one year.

Resources

How to Set up an Office article by eHow.com

advertisement

More On This Topic

Related: office, printer, building, depot, purchase

How to Add Home Office Technology

How to Add Home Office Technology by Expert Village

Hello! My name is Melissa Schenk and on behalf of Expert Village, today we're going to talk about how to design the home office of your dreams. In this clip, let's talk about additional equipment to consider for the home office of your dreams. You have... Read More »

How to Rent Office Space in Shanghai

How to Rent Office Space in Shanghai by eHow.com

Shanghai's abundance of newly constructed office buildings has simplified finding office space. The procedure for foreign businesses renting office space in Shanghai requires local contacts. It would be advisable to have good quality legal representation... Read More »

How to Set Up an Independent Film Production Office

How to Set Up an Independent Film Production Office by eHow.com

Every film needs a production home base, an office or space where you can coordinate your production effectively. Whether it is a room in your house or a temporary lease on an office rental, once you identify your space here are a few things you will... Read More »

How to Design a Home Office for the Whole Family

How to Design a Home Office for the Whole Family by eHow.com

A home office is a must in today's home. This is a place where members of the family can do their work. From paying bills and doing the family budget for mom, finishing up on business transactions for dad, and researching homework for the kids. It is... Read More »

How to Choose a Printer

How to Choose a Printer by Expert Village

Hi! This is Zak with Expert Village and I’m going to talk to you about how to choose a printer that’s right for you. Printers come in many different varieties and many different price ranges and depending on what you need your printer to do... Read More »

Pluck Legal and Privacy

DIY Chatroom™ © 2003 - 2008 The Building Network LLC

Our Network: DIY Forum | Contractor Forum | Woodworking Forum | Painting Forum | Drywall Forum | Electrician Forum | Plumbing Forum
..