Home Office

Dave Olson

New Member
I have always had my office in my house. Everything has always been separated. Separate room, phones, etc. Any of you folks gone from a home office to a separate location?

We have always had our equipment stored in a separate facility (about 6 blocks from the house). Considering putting our office in the same building, as our equipment is stored. Would require moving phone lines, office equipment, etc.

Would like to hear some of your experiences (pros or cons) moving to another office location or keeping the office in the house.

Also, are any of you using an answering service, rather than an answering machine (voice mail)?

Thanks for your interest and time,

Dave Olson


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Tidy Powerwash Service, Inc. P.O. Box 781, Catlin, Illinois 61817 Phone 217-427-5557, Fax 217-427-2632 We are a commercial cleaning contractor serving East-Central Illinois and West Central Indiana since 1984. http://www.tps-inc.com
 

CleanImage

New Member
Hey Dave!!
Just moved my office back into my house and it was the best thing I could have done. Before, being in the office meant time away from the kids (age 5 & 11), and my wife. We moved my mother in law in recently (she's a wonderful lady), and she and my wife are both a great help in the office. I though the offsite office was needed for business presence, but none of my customers ever saw it in the few years I was there.
We home school both kids and I like to help my wife when I can, being here helps keep me in the family loop!
I activated a second phone line on my cell phone and have my calls forwarded when I'm out in the field, that way I can tell when someone is calling the office number. I was getting to many hang ups with the voice mail.
Take Care!!

Duane - CleanImage
Property Services, Inc.
 
C

Craig/PowerWashUnlimited

Guest
Hey Duane,

What home schooling program/technique do yall use. Satellite schooling? Christian oriented?

Craig
 
M

Mike@Everclear

Guest
Dave,

In my opinion, you're better off with it in the house. Not only is it easier, but it is much more secure. None of your employees have access to it when its in your home, and also, I would consider your shop to be a much greater fire risk. Just imagine how much trouble you'd be in if your office burnt to the ground.

Currently, I answer my phone almost all of the time. When I am not in the office, I forward all of my calls to my cell phone. The phone has a vibrating ringer so if I'm around the equipment I can "hear" it. I get more jobs this way, because callers get a real person. Last month's cell bill was for 1100 minutes.......worth every penny. If for any reason I can't answer the phone, they are forwarded to voicemail.

Good luck, Dave

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Mike Hughes
Everclear
Souderton, PA
 
C

Craig/PowerWashUnlimited

Guest
Keeping office in the home, where the boss can keep an eye on the books. Looking now for an acre of land to buy and build a shop. But definitely leaving office at home.

Same as Mike. Forward all calls to cellular and answer 90% of the time. Hit 1300 minutes the last two months (Boss hit the roof), so changed plan to a hundred bucks a month, 1100 minutes.
 
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David l Saulque

Guest
I agree 100% with the above posts. The cell phone now takes the place of the best answer service. The only downside is you can't get away from the "THING", but in time you learn to use the built in answer machine that comes with the phone. I like the one that starts with a "N".

I too work out of the home office-I love it.

David
 
P

pressurewashing

Guest
I too, have home office with cell phone. Works great got a plan that had free nights and weekends and found I was able to save on some of my minutes because a lot of calls come after regular hours and on weekends.
Even some from district managers of larger companies. Almost always get my calls.
Keep home office. I am currently looking for another house and one of the big factors is the parking around it for the equipment.
I love the home office and wouldn't trade it for anything.
Shirley & Jim
bounce2.gif
 
M

Mike@Everclear

Guest
Jim,

I just bought a house.....and I gave up on trying to find a house that had a place for the trucks.....it limited our house shopping too much. Instead, I found a farm a half mile from our new house that is willing to let me keep my rig there for a small fee. I will miss having my rig right outside my house, but at the same time, I'm glad it won't be......somewhat of an eyesore (open trailer). By fall, this farmer is building a garage that I'll be able to rent to keep the trailer in.....I can't wait to get it out of the elements.


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Mike Hughes
Everclear
Souderton, PA
 
D

David l Saulque

Guest
When the topic said "home office" my response was for the office only. I let my managers take the vans home. I have rented 2 large 10X20 garage units plus one parking space for my compressor. The month cost on this is only $240.

I live on 10 acres and zoning would not allow equipment useage on my land. Plus I am not sure that I want my employees coming and going in all hours.

My office-computer-files-fax and so on is the only home issues I have.


David
 

Dave Olson

New Member
Boy what a difference in the cost for storing equipment. David has 2 10x20 garages for $240. I rent two buildings for our equipment. One is a pole barn(non-insulated) we use a space of 30'x40' for $120 month. Our main shop is 64'x30' 14' overhead door, insulated $395 month.

Dave Olson

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Tidy Powerwash Service, Inc. P.O. Box 781, Catlin, Illinois 61817 Phone 217-427-5557, Fax 217-427-2632 We are a commercial cleaning contractor serving East-Central Illinois and West Central Indiana since 1984. http://www.tps-inc.com
 

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