Utah is brimming with new talents and businesses. The Beehive State is considered one of Silicon Valley’s growing rivals because of its rising startup community.
But like some well-known companies such as Amazon and Microsoft, entrepreneurs are more likely to start in low-cost places, like the home. A home office is affordable, and business owners can even save more money by deducting home-based business costs.
However, it also comes with challenges. Anyone setting up a home office should pay attention to the following:
1. Insulation
The lack of insulation is more common in seldom-used parts of the house, such as the basement and the garage. In the winter, these areas may be way colder than other parts of the house. In the summer, they can turn into a turbo broiler.
That isn’t all. When the property doesn’t have excellent heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, utility costs can skyrocket. They may also induce the sick-building syndrome, possibly creating an unhealthy environment.
Improving the home’s insulation may cost money, but healthcare spending may be more expensive. Moreover, if the HVAC isn’t installed properly, the business runs the risk of facing legal trouble from the city or state officials.
2. Poor-performing Garage Door
A lot of businesses start in the garage for many reasons. This is often underutilized, often treated as storage. Further, this extension of the house may also have excellent square footage. A two-car garage, for example, can already accommodate at least two to three people comfortably.
Garages are also accessible, which makes transport and delivery easy and convenient. They are also often treated as a different part of the property, so the primary house can be secured and the office.
But that doesn’t mean that garages are completely safe. Poorly done or worn-out garage doors, for example, make the office a prime target for burglary. These problematic garage doors may also lower productivity as they may take more time to open. They can also increase the risk of injuries and accidents.
Those who set up an office here may need to work with a specialist in garage door repair to make sure.
3. Non-Ergonomic Tables and Chairs
Contrary to what most people think, successful entrepreneurs work fewer hours. Bill Gates, for example, sleeps at midnight and wakes up at 7:00 a.m. Jeff Bezos doesn’t have an alarm clock. He allows his body to wake up when it wants to.
But birth pains are also real. Early on in the business, when entrepreneurs need to establish everything, including systems, they work long hours.
In fact, in a Gallup survey, nearly 40% spend 60 hours a week at their company. Much of these involve prolonged sitting that increases the risk of musculoskeletal disorders.
In 2016, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons revealed that these conditions cost around $210 billion annually in care, treatment, and lost wages. Fortunately, they are also preventable.
Experts suggest sitting for 20 minutes, standing for eight minutes, and walking for two minutes to minimize the effects of the sedentary lifestyle. They can also perform basic exercises and stretching, particularly on the overly used parts of the body like the wrist, hands, and shoulders.
They can also invest in ergonomic chairs, desks, and other supplies. These pieces of equipment are designed with the user, the human, in mind. A chair, for example, can follow the curvature of the spine to relieve pressure in the back. A sit-stand desk is adjustable to allow the user to stand up without leaving their workstation.
4. Lighting
The type and amount of light can affect the quality of work. Strong overhead light can cause glare and headache. Poor lighting forces the eyes to grow larger, so they are more prone to eye fatigue.
Inversely, the right lighting conditions can increase productivity and efficiency. In a graphic shared by the Kenan-Flagler Business School, warm lights can promote comfort and relaxation. That’s why they’re ideal for break rooms.
Lights with 4,000 to 5,000 Kelvin mimic either sunset or daylight, and they’re better off in conference areas since they are cool enough to make a person alert.
Home offices may benefit from natural light. In a 2018 research, workers with offices optimized to stream natural light experienced over 80% decline in headaches, blurred visions, and eyestrain. Company owners can open windows or work in a covered patio in the morning.
Establishing a small-based business at home is an excellent decision, particularly in the beginning when capital is low, and profit is still scarce. But it also needs to be designed suitable for working to productivity and efficiency.
