Is the New Office Going to Cost You an Arm and a Leg?

For anyone who is in the process of starting up a new small business, the thought of office equipment may be secondary with all that is needed to get things up and running.

That being said, having the right office equipment in place from day one and making sure you are saving wherever possible with utilities, etc. should be a primary focus, especially in these challenging economic times.

Some budding entrepreneurs will hold the line on office expenses, while others will open up their checkbooks and spend, spend, spend. For most small business owners, it is best to fall somewhere in the middle so that you have a good and productive looking business without finding yourself in a financial hole early on.

Factor in How Many Employees, Office Size, Buying or Renting Items

Before you buy that first office supply, keep these factors in mind:

• Will I be in a small business that is essentially going to be myself and perhaps some volunteers and minimal help, or will my business be relying on on-site or telecommuting workers?
• If I am renting a space for my company, what are the dimensions of the office pertaining to any issues regarding space?  If there are space matters, how can I get the proper amount of equipment in without negatively impacting my employees?
• Will buying a lot of office supplies, i.e. computers, printers, furniture put me in a financial whole right off the bat?
• Am I looking for a short-term fix or supplies, furniture etc. that will last the long haul?

As for a timetable on how long your office furniture and equipment can be expected to last, you should be looking for items that can withstand normal wear and tear for several years, among which would be products such as office furniture, computers, and printers to name a few.

In the event buying a lot of new equipment is not financially viable at this time as your new small business opens up, consider renting the equipment.

There are deals to be had out there if you take the time to look. Just make sure that you read all the fine print, especially given the fact that you are in essence “borrowing” the equipment. In that case, any damages to it while in your possession will result in costs to your company.

Besides the pre-mentioned items like furniture and computers, other necessities for the business will likely include: Copy paper, pens and pencils, staplers/staples/ folders, scissors, notepads and more.

When looking for such items, try and stick with one dealer in order to improve your chances of getting a discount on prices by shopping exclusively with them. Make sure you separate what supplies to be more professional (for interactions with customers) and what can be generic (for in-house interactions with employees) in order to cut down on costs.

Utilities Can Light Up Your Expenses

Another factor in setting up that new office is what you will be spending for utilities.

Given the tight economic times, more and more companies are looking into energy-saving lighting and making sure that electricity with computers, printers, etc. is being used wisely. This is another area you should review ahead of time in order to cut costs.

Implementing an office recycling program is also another means by which to save money and do something positive for the environment.

If your budget permits, consider by laptop computers for your new office, as they are reportedly some 50 percent energy-efficient than their desktop counterparts.

Lastly, you can always consider the option of purchasing used equipment for your office.

If you choose this route, keep in mind that such purchases must be done carefully, especially given the fact the equipment has some mileage on it. Be sure to shop around and look for equipment that has been well taken care in order to lessen the chances of getting stuck with something that will be short-lived.

While there is much to do when starting up your own business, equip yourself with the knowledge and financial wherewithal so that you are not hanging a “Going out of Business” sign up anytime soon.