How to Set-Up a Home Office in Bath

Working from home isn’t a new thing. Self-employed people have done it for many years, helping them avoid unnecessary costs for renting an office. The lockdown changed everything, and many business owners were forced to think on their feet to survive. That’s why lots of people are taking advantage of remote working with some surprising additional benefits.
In this article, we’ll discuss how you can set-up a home office, including the assessment and planning steps. What’s more, you don’t have to lift a finger because the Thomas Firbank team can do it all for you. You can then discuss the benefits with your boss to see if you can start working from the comfort of your own home.
2021 Will See a Rise in Home Office Set-Ups –
Thousands of companies all over the UK closed offices, stores, and workplaces during the lockdown. It was necessary to try and combat the spread of Covid-19, and it goes without saying that everyone did their part. To many, this was a substantial financial burden to take on, and unfortunately, many companies weren’t able to continue trading.
That’s why lots of business owners are looking for ways to lower their outgoings to ensure they survive. Many businesses are considering testing out remote working where possible. This means that it’s not just a temporary fix but possibly a new phase in modern business. Is it really necessary for people to be in an office? For all the negative aspects of the lockdown, one positive change is how people are rethinking how they do things.
Remote working might not be feasible for every business, which is fine. This is all about flexibility and trying out new working processes. The potential benefits might even go much further than we expect. A reduction in sick days, carbon emissions, and a decrease in traffic jams are all possibilities if enough companies re-evaluate how they operate.
In this article, we’ll go into more detail about how you can set up your own home office by converting a room. It’s always a good idea to weigh up options before starting any major renovations to help retain your property’s value. And the Thomas Firbank team are on-hand to assist you in creating your own home office set up.
Tips on Converting a Room in Your House or Flat –
While it’s possible to build an extension to create an entirely new room for this purpose, it’s a costly project to take on. For the sake of this blog, we’re approaching setting up a home office from a room conversion perspective. However, if you’re adamant about building a new room, you’ll probably need planning permission before you begin.
The room you’ll be converting should be spotlessly clean. You can either do a deep clean yourself or we can refer you to a professional cleaning company. It’s also worth arranging for an inspection to check for any damp or similar issues with the walls, ceiling, and floor. Depending on which room you’re converting, you will have to seal and possibly add insulation if you’re using a loft or garage.
Most modern houses have plenty of electrical points as standard due to the typical consumption rates. However, older properties may not have the same circuits, and you should avoid using multiple extension plugs. While you’re installing more electrical points, you can get an internet provider to install ADSL or fibre optic for your internet needs.
And once you have all your electrical and internet preparation done, all you need is a desk, a comfortable office chair, a printer, a filing cabinet, and a bookcase or two. And you have your very own office to start working from home.
Things to Remember Before Starting any Work –
Before any work starts, you must do your due diligence to ensure any developments won’t lower your home’s value. It might seem like a no-brainer to have a home office but losing a bedroom to accommodate it might have unforeseen consequences. That’s why you need to plan things out thoroughly and consult some experts.
An estate agent will be able to assist with valuation queries, so contact one to discuss what your plans are. You’ll also need to check on any regulatory guidelines if any significant changes to the property will happen. To check this, contact your local council to see if any planning permission is necessary before you start any work.
The main thing to remember is – don’t assume anything because it might leave you with issues and setbacks. If you plan and prepare as much as possible, it will help make your room conversion a success. Additionally, it could save you many headaches and delays if you understand and follow the guidelines from the start.
The Benefits of Using Self Storage in Bath –
In addition to using our removals service when creating your home office, we usually advise renting a self storage unit. Storage can benefit every stage of your room conversion project. You can clear all your possessions out of the room before you begin cleaning. And for each stage of development, you can transfer items in and out when needed.
Storage is the only way to ensure that the building materials, tools, and equipment are entirely safe from theft or damage. Our storage units have environmental controls to ensure no moisture or condensation occurs. The Thomas Firbank team will also assist with creating an inventory of every item so that you know where everything is.
Thomas Firbank has a selection of storage options available. There’s no minimum storage rental period – you can keep your unit to suit your requirements. Furthermore, we have the largest storage facility in Bath and Somerset, with plans to expand soon. With a variety of storage units sizes on offer, we will be able to upgrade or downsize you if circumstances make it necessary.
A Range of Removals Services Available –
Thomas Firbank offers a range of removals and storage services to households and businesses in Bath and the surrounding areas. We have a fleet of removals vehicles of all sizes, which means we have the right one for your room conversion project. The more options we can offer our customers, the easier it is to match their requirements.
Our Man & Van service is typically the most cost-effective and efficient service for room conversions. These vans can handle congestion by taking smaller roads to beat the traffic. And it’s much easier to change the original route to avoid unexpected delays. Additionally, the vehicles are less likely to cause an obstruction, keeping your neighbours happy while we work.
We also have a range of medium or larger vehicles at our disposal. Rather than making multiple trips, we can get all your belongings into one of our Home Removals vans for a single journey. Matching your needs with the right removals package includes the correct van size. That’s because it increases efficiency and may also save you money.
The Thomas Firbank team works on the understanding that preparation and planning are the key to a successful job. We don’t cut corners or leave things to chance. A thorough assessment provides us with every detail, and we’ll gladly send a removal’s planner out for more complicated situations.
Online Reviews to Find the Right Removals Company –
There are plenty of removals and storage providers in Bath and Somerset. The question is – how does someone know which one to choose? Everyone wants to receive a good level of service, but it’s tricky to work out where to start. Luckily, there’s a way of determining what type of company you’ll be dealing with before contacting them.
Businesses now build their reputation with positive testimonials and customer feedback. That’s where Google Live and other rating services like Trustpilot play an essential role. You can see what rating out of five a company receives, plus feedback from previous customers. It’s also a good idea to phone and email companies to see how quickly and thoroughly they respond.
By booking with Thomas Firbank, you’re moving in the right direction because we’re a five-star removals company. We apply our Quality Policy to every service we offer, which gives our customers another level of consumer protection. It all adds up to an unbeatable level of service where you can entrust us with your home office set-up.
Thomas Firbank – Bath and Somerset’s Number One Removals Provider –
During the course of the pandemic response, the Thomas Firbank team set up several home offices for people and companies. Remote working is here to stay, and the outlook offers an insight into how business is changing. Advances in technology now make it possible for people to interact across the globe in real-time. This is an invaluable step forward, especially for businesses struggling to stay afloat.
Thomas Firbank understands the issues SMEs in Bath and Somerset face this year and for many in the future. We listen to our customers and know how difficult 2020 was, which is why we keep our prices affordable. We hope to work with many companies this year in a bid to trim their outgoings. And we believe remote working has the potential to be cost-effective over a more extended period.
If you’d like more information about home offices in Bath, please contact us today. We can set everything up for you with our range of services.