There are many small business ideas that you can start and run from home, but if your business needs more than your home office, kitchen or living room to be run successfully, then you’re going to need to think about starting a business premises. This might be an office where you and your team get all the work done, a store where you’re selling your products to customers, or a warehouse for storing stock or equipment for the products or services that you sell online. Either way, setting up and running a small business premises can be expensive, so we’ve put together some top tips to help you save money.
Central locations are the best option if you want customers to visit you at your premises; for example, if you are selling products in a store. On the other hand, if you’re setting up an office that customers and clients probably won’t be visiting on a regular basis, then you could probably get away with somewhere a little more out of town – the same goes for warehousing facilities or anywhere else that you don’t need customers to visit in order to make money. Whether you have decided to buy or rent your business premises, the more central location, the more you can usually expect to pay. If you are a business that uses shipping services, the choice of the location might be crucial. However, there are many options to choose from when it comes to Canada cheap shipping, so you shouldn't worry about your transportation needs.
Getting equipment is likely going to be one of the biggest expenses you’ll face when setting up your business premises; you’re probably going to need a range of technology, depending on the type of business you’re running. Computers and laptops are necessary for running a business these days, and you’re probably going to need one for each member of your team. And, think about other items that you’re going to need such as televisions in the office rooms, a printer and photocopier, and smartphones for team members if needed. One of the best ways to save on equipment costs is to see if you can find any businesses that are closing down; they will often be getting rid of equipment at cut prices that you can take advantage of.
Failing that you’re able to find any businesses closing down and selling off equipment or office furniture in your area, another option to try is buying second-hand or refurbished technology. This can often save you a serious amount of money compared to buying brand new. Manufacturer refurbished electronics tend to be a good bet because they usually come with a guarantee, so you’ll pay less for them while also having peace of mind that you’re covered if anything does go wrong.
When it comes to getting the essentials like gas, electricity, water and broadband for your business, then it’s worth shopping around. Use comparison sites like Utility Bidder for the best business utility rates to make sure that you are not paying any more than you need to when it comes to getting business power. And, it could be worth looking into getting renewable energy; solar panels, for example, will pay for themselves after a few years, and if you get a solar battery pack, you could even make some extra income by selling any surplus power that you generate back to the electricity grid.
It’s a good idea to spend some time working with a business lawyer so that you can make sure you’ll avoid any potential legal issues in the future regarding your business premises. Think about what you are planning to do with the space once it is yours – it’s easier if the property already has planning permission in place for the use that you intend for it. If you are planning to use it for a different purpose, then you may need to obtain different planning permissions before you can begin. If the area in which you’re doing business is covered by regulations, you should also double check if you need to apply for any new licenses.
Finally, you’ll need to think about investing some money into the appearance and comfort of your business premises – this is even more so important if you are planning to have clients and customers visit. And, it’s also crucial for the health and wellbeing of your employees. Consider things like adding more natural light, ergonomic office chairs and desks, soft furnishings, and wall art to make your business premises look modern, inviting and comfortable.
Setting up a business premises might be essential for your business idea, but don’t get caught out spending more than you need to.
Photo: jdpereiro from Pixabay
