![]() When you have a thriving business with a growing team, you may reach a point where it’s best for your business to look for more space. This may be the time that you should consider upsizing your home to accommodate your growing business. Here are some tips from Van Allen Plumbing to get you started. Research First When you decide to upsize your home, be sure that this is the right decision for your company's and your family’s long-term goals. It is not just important, but crucial that you do some research before buying or selling a property. You need to consider what kind of space and amenities will be required for the size of your company. You also have to look at where will your office be located - are there nearby parks or facilities? What is transportation like? Where will my kids go to school? Is the housing market on an upward trend? A Real Estate Agent Is Your Best Resource Real estate agents are like your personal tour guides and experts for finding the right home. They know the ins and outs of each town, and neighborhood, the best time for you to buy, and what questions to ask yourself before making a purchase. They can negotiate the best deals, and help you find the right lender. They know what to look for and what to look out for when it comes to doing a thorough inspection Get Pre-Approved Sellers are typically more willing to accept offers from pre-approved buyers because it shows that the buyer has the financial resources available to make good on their offer. According to Investopedia, the difference between being pre-qualified and pre-approved is that a pre-qualification is an estimate of how much someone can afford to spend on a home, but a pre-approval means the lender has checked the potential buyer's credit and verified the documentation to approve a specific loan amount (the approval usually lasts for a particular period, such as 60 to 90 days). Protect Your Investment Homeowner’s insurance only covers damage to your home's structure, theft of belongings, and injuries that happen on your property. If you want coverage in case home systems or appliances break down, you'll need to invest in a home warranty. This is an annually renewable contract that can cover breakdowns to your heating, cooling, electrical, and plumbing systems, along with covering appliance repairs. Before choosing a home warranty company, be sure to read reviews to find a policy that fits your needs and budget. Get the Best Business Structure Choose a business structure that will protect your home and personal finances. If you choose to structure your business as a corporation, then your personal assets will be protected from creditors by federal law. You will have access to free capital and relief from personal liability. A limited liability company (LLC) offers the same protections as corporations but does not require an attorney because LLCs are governed by state law rather than federal law. Rules do vary from state to state, so check with your local officials to make sure you’re meeting all the requirements. Grow With Your Business In order to pave the way for future business success, it can help to return to school for an advanced degree like an MBA. Online degree programs make it easy to earn your master's degree in business while still working full-time or tending to family obligations. The advantages of getting your master's degree online are multifold. You can reduce the total cost of getting your degree and it will take less time to complete it. Students typically have their best learning experience when they are able to study in a flexible way. This will allow students the option of studying in an on-demand format. Finding a bigger home for your home business is one way to improve your life as well as your company. The idea is that if you have more space to work with, you can create a more productive work environment - providing autonomy and freedom of thought. Van Allen Plumbing proudly provides complete plumbing services to Nevada. A plumbing repair and replacement professional, Van Allen Plumbing is your only choice in the Reno/Sparks area. Call 775-530-7850. Image via Pexels
Working from home is more popular today than ever before. According to surveys, 75% of adults find hybrid or remote work preferable to commuting. Of course, you need a distraction-free space to ensure productivity. If you have a garage, you can transform it into a home office with just a few adjustments. Be sure to track any improvements you make—it could increase your home’s value. You want to make sure the improvements are desirable to potential buyers. Here are some ideas from Van Allen Plumbing about how to turn your garage into the home office you want. Improve the Lighting Lighting sets the mood for any room, so finding the right type is crucial to building a comfortable home office. Natural light is one of the best options, but most garages don't have large windows. Instead, you can supplement natural light with the following:
Reorganize Your Space Working in your garage means you need to balance personal storage and office organization. You can optimize by taking advantage of vertical space. Additionally, the following are helpful tools for keeping your work area in order:
Choose a Motivating Paint Color Since you'll be spending a lot of time in your garage-office, you'll want the wall color to be welcoming. Bright colors can boost energy, while neutral colors promote serenity. You're sure to find a shade you love from the most popular options:
Install Durable Flooring Slab concrete isn't the most comfortable or professional flooring. Upgrade your garage with options that are equal parts durable, pleasant, and sophisticated, such as:
Upgrade Your Internet If the majority of your work requires a computer, you must ensure you can access Wi-Fi from your garage. If coverage is spotty, try upgrading your internet speed and moving your router to a more central location. Install a Bathroom Having a conveniently accessible bathroom can be a game changer for a home office. Instead of having to sneak into the house and face a potential distraction, you can have your own bathroom built into your garage office. Plumbing projects can be daunting to the inexperienced, so trust the experts at Van Allen Plumbing to ensure that everything is installed properly. Get Comfortable Furniture A comfortable desk and chair go a long way. They can even improve your health, as ergonomic furniture helps prevent aches and strains that accompany long hours of sitting. As you search for the perfect furniture, consider the following:
Improve Ventilation Most garages aren't built for ventilation, which means they can get hot and stuffy. That's no environment for productive work. To ensure you're getting enough airflow, try the following:
Get Your Legal Ducks in a Row If you're self-employed, you should consider registering your business as a limited liability company. Doing so offers several benefits:
Each state has different registration requirements, but the process is relatively simple. You can file using a formation service or do the paperwork yourself, thereby foregoing the cost of a lawyer. Ensure Accessibility If you have a disability, making your garage accessible is essential. For example, wheelchair users need space to maneuver and ramps instead of steps. Individuals with balance and mobility issues should look into non-slip flooring to prevent falls. The garage may not be your first thought when considering a potential home office, but it can be the perfect space. With just a few renovations, you can create a workspace you look forward to using each day. Van Allen Plumbing is your cost effective, "get the job done right the first time" plumbing solution. Whether you have a plumbing emergency or not we are always fast, friendly, and courteous. For more information, please contact us today! Multiple plumbing issues? No problem!
Here's a review from one of our repeat clients! "Wallace and his team are awesome. I first called them out to set a new tub and reconfigure my shower valve in a bathroom I'm remodeling. They showed up on time, provided a fair quote in a timely matter, and performed excellent work. I called them out for a second time to fix a leak in my second bathroom. Same excellent service. Most recently I called them for a leak in my third bathroom (yes my house is old). They came out on less than 24 hours notice and fixed the issue. Responsive, fast, and follow up. Ten thumbs up." John T. |
Van Allen Plumbing
Van Allen Plumbing offers residential and commercial services in all phases of plumbing throughout the greater Reno/Sparks area. Plumbing Services
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