These days more people either own their own business or telecommute and need a place to work effectively. The most important thing to consider when setting up your home office is whether or not that space can handle the power necessary for your computer(s), printer, scanner, fax machine, lighting and other necessary items requiring a power source.
Your home may already be set up with Internet, but you want to be sure that your devices can also "talk" to each other wirelessly. Being able to print a document from your smart phone or upload a presentation from your tablet are necessities in today's technological workplace. Continue Reading
Think about the things that you need to do in your office and contemplate why you need to build it out. It's better to get a quote for everything you want at one time. If you have your contractor out to do the wiring for an outlet and then later realize you need more, that will cost you more money. Thinking ahead of time will save you hours, frustration and money in the end. The more information you provide your contractors with, the better your estimates will be and the more developed your space will become.
Space
Think about how much square footage you need to accommodate your household office needs. There are incredibly modern, space-saving ideas that you can incorporate into your home office. However, you may need to hire a decorator to help you decide and plan. This is an additional expense, but it may worth it if you intend to use your home office for a long time.
Power
Power from the electrical company's line flows through a home's outside meter and into the electrical service panel, which controls the flow of electricity into the house. Total electrical usage cannot exceed the panel's capacity, or you will notice tripped breakers, flickering lights and even brown-outs. Hiring a professional may cost you, but think of the alternatives. If you have faulty wiring or an electrical panel box not carrying the right load, you may risk a fire or electrocution. Older homes are in danger of having an unsatisfactory electrical panel due to changes in technology over the years.
Electrical design and installation plans should take into account functionality and aesthetics. Include a list of both need-to-have and nice-to-have items. Think about what your home addition or remodel will need to support as well as locations for these items. Think of adding energy-saving items like light dimmers. These will not only provide control over your lighting design, but they may also add some extra savings on your electric bill.
