You have been working on a side hustle for a while, and things are really picking up. Unfortunately, you now have papers everywhere. You know you could be doing better if you had a dedicated space. But where?
Maybe you have an unfinished basement, an enclosed porch, or a tiny room upstairs that you don’t really use. You might be surprised by how easily it can be transformed into a stunning home office. Here are some tips to help you make it happen.
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Decide how you will be using this space.
- What kinds of activities will take place in this space?
- Will you be sitting at a desk working on a computer?
- Will you be standing at a work table, gluing and screwing pieces together?
- As your company grows, will you need more than one workstation?
- Will you need storage? If so, what kind? Bookcases, file drawers, supply cabinets, or all of the above?
Determine what types of modifications you may need to consider to utilize the space.
- Is there a window?
- Is it well insulated?
- Are there enough electrical outlets for your equipment?
- Does the HVAC system work in this space?
- Would you need to reconfigure the space?
If the answers to any of these questions are yes, you may need to hire a contractor to help you make the changes. Houzz and Porch are websites that provide general advice about projects like this and help you find local contractors who can help.
Look at some examples to get inspired.
Some of our favorite places to look include:
- Houzz
- Architectural Digest
- House Beautiful
- HGTV
Determine how you want your office to look and feel. Start making a list of the design elements and equipment you would like to incorporate in your home office.
Estimate how much it will cost
Home Advisor and Porch have both published articles that describe the costs of a home office remodel in great detail. While your actual costs will depend on your local labor and material costs, the line items and issues of concern will be the same. Any contractor should be willing to provide you with an estimated cost and time needed for completion. It’s a good idea to get a few estimates to compare.
If the total cost ends up being more than you planned, keep in mind that some portion of this work may be tax deductible. Consult your tax professional for details.
Get started with Mercer Savings Bank
Wouldn’t it be easier to manage the cost of your home-office remodeling project if you had a home equity loan? Stop by or contact any of our convenient locations to share your plan. Mercer Savings Bank has your best interest in mind. We have been serving the community for more than 125 years.