How to Start an Office

1. Purchase or Lease Your Office Space
2. Obtain Only The Necessary Furniture
3. Acquire Essential Office Equipment
4. Hire Essential Office Staff
5. Buy Only The Basic Office Supplies

Purchase or Lease Your Office Space

If working at home is not right for you, your business and your family, you will have to find office space outside your home. The decisions regarding office space may be some of the most complex and unfamiliar decisions that you will have to make when starting an office. Acquire too much office space in the wrong location and you will be paying too much. Acquire too little office space and you will have to move after only a short period of time. Determining the right amount of office space in the right location will help you to reduce the risk of moving (or setting up for the first time) your office.

• Do I Need An Office or Can I Work at Home?
• How Much Office Space Do You Need?
• Selecting an Office Location
• Leasing or Purchasing Office Space

Obtain Only The Necessary Furniture

Regardless if you will be working at home or in office space outside your home, you will need office furniture. Some Office furniture will be expensive and some may be inexpensive. Some will be necessary and other furniture will be nice-to-have. This guide will help you discern what you need and what you don't need. In addition, you will get some tips on saving money.

• All-Purpose Office Furniture: A Desk and a Chair
• Computer Furniture
• File Cabinets
• Storage Cabinets & Shelves
• Meeting & Conference Room Furnishings

• Creating a Reception Area
• Setting Up a Work Room: Tables and Countertops
• Equipping a Mailroom
• Providing a Break Room
• Budget Your Office Furniture Expenses

Acquire Essential Office Equipment

In addition to furniture, your office will need a variety of office equipment. It is at this point in the project your budget can really get blown. Here is a list of office equipment and money saving tips that will help you stay within your budget by getting only the office equipment that is truly necessary.

• Business Telephone System
• Computers & Software
• Computer Network and Internet Connection
• Multifunction Printer

• Cell Phone or PDA
• Shredder
• Mailing Equipment

Hire Essential Office Staff

There are no clear distinctions as to which office jobs accomplish which office tasks. In fact, in smaller offices you will find that one person will perform a variety of different office responsibilities. In large offices the duties and responsibilities are specialized and concentrated in particular office jobs. This guide will help you decide which office jobs you need to accomplish the tasks necessary for an efficient office. In each detailed job guide the differences between small offices, medium offices and large offices are explained.

• Office Manager / Supervisor
• Secretary
• Clerk / Data Entry
• Receptionist
• Administrative Assistant or Executive Secretary

• Customer Support / Customer Service
• Accounting Manager / Supervisor
• Cashiers
• Legal Secretaries
• Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant

Buy Only The Basic Office Supplies

Last, but not least, are office supplies. This will most likely be the smallest line in your office startup budget, but it can not be overlooked. Office supplies are not expensive but they must be accounted for in order to avoid spending more money than you have. Don't spend too much time on this task, but at the same time make sure it is not forgotten.

• Essential Office Supplies for Starting a Business
• Save Money on Office Supplies