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BUILD YOUR DREAM WORKSPACEBrent Marmo got so fed up with his daily 45-minute commute between Excelsior, Minn., and downtown Minneapolis that he built an office in his own backyard. The office, which looks like a blue cube and includes a studio and a client reception area, set him back $220,000. But to Marmo, a graphic designer, it's money well spent. ''Now, I just have to take a few steps to get to work,'' he says. Like Marmo, a growing number of Americans work full- or part-time at home. But setting up a comfortable and efficient home office requires more than just putting a spare desk and chair by your phone. While it need not involve a contractor or tons of money, it does call for careful planning--from your budget to your telecommunications requirements. Before you start your shopping list, make sure it's O.K. with the local authorities for you to have a home office. Many municipalities have zoning ordinances that require licenses for business use of the home--even for part-time work. ''Such laws were written to prevent unwanted traffic''--lots of visitors and deliveries to a residence--says Randy Johnson, president of the Rocky Mountain Home-based Business Assn. in Aurora, Colo. (303 367-1918, www.rmhba.org), which advises people who work at home. They're also a way for authorities to know who they can tax, he adds. If such laws are a problem, look into getting a variance. Otherwise, expect to pay a penalty should a neighbor snitch. The next step is to stake out a space--whether it's a spare bedroom or an alcove. ''Choosing a location is probably the most critical part of the process,'' says Neal Zimmerman, an architect from West Hartford, Conn., and author of Home Office Design ($19.95, John Wiley & Sons). ''Working at home is not something you do crossing your legs on the couch,'' he says. Not only does a dedicated space let you function efficiently but it also preserves your sense of professionalism. Marmo chose to add on to his house, while Zimmerman remodeled his attic. Ideally, the spot you pick should be comfortable, well lit, and removed from distractions. Once you've chosen a location, it's time to think about general layout and furniture. How much surface area do you require for equipment and to do daily tasks? What are your storage and lighting needs? Do you need an area to meet with clients? You must also consider how much you want to budget. Bear in mind that in some cases, you can take a tax deduction for costs related to setting up and maintaining your office. DEPRESSING. If you can afford an architect or interior designer, great. A two-hour consultation may cost at least $500. But a tight budget shouldn't be an excuse for poor design, says Marilyn Zelinsky, a home-office planner in Fairfield, Conn., and author of Practical Home Office Solutions (McGraw-Hill, $19.95). ''A lot of people get discouraged that they can't afford the perfect home offices they see in magazines,'' she says, so they settle for rickety tables and worn chairs and pay little attention to arrangement. Papers pile up, and wires crisscross the floor. ''It gets depressing,'' says Zelinsky, because ''design and psychological well-being are tied together.'' If you're taking the economical route, Zelinsky recommends going to furniture and shelving retailers such as Ikea or Container Store that not only sell inexpensive products but have employees trained to help customers make the most of a space. ''They aren't designers, but they can be true problem-solvers,'' she says. Another way to cut expenses: Check business-to-business phone directories for furniture wholesalers and liquidators. These outfits sell new and used office chairs, desks, and such for 50% to 70% off retail. To avoid discomfort and even disability, buy furnishings that fit. ''Don't get anything that may force you into an awkward posture,'' says Scott Wright, an ergonomics consultant in Los Banos, Calif. A computer desk should have a keyboard tray at your seated elbow height and a pedestal that raises a monitor to just below eye level. Chairs should support the small of your back and be deep enough so there is a fist-size amount of room between the edge and your knees. Also, make sure your feet can rest flat on the floor. Arrange furniture so there is freedom of movement. Lisa Kanarek, an organizational consultant in Dallas and author of Organizing Your Home Office for Success (Blakely Press, $14.95), says you should be able to ''turn full circle in your chair without hitting anything,'' and pathways should be clear. Put everything you regularly use within reach--and that means without your having to stretch. A common gripe among home-based workers is a shortage of storage space. Sarah Gaventa, author of Home Office (DK Publishing, $18.95), advises planning for twice the storage you think you will need. Make use of your walls with shelving and corner racks. Put file cabinets under tables. Most people wouldn't dream of working at home without a PC. But now printers, copiers, scanners, and fax machines have also become necessities. You might want to consider a unit that does the work of all four but takes up less room and may cost less than buying everything separately. Plan on paying at least $300 for one. However you choose to equip your office, check that you have enough power to run your equipment--or you might have to install another circuit into the work area. You can calculate your energy needs by totaling the amperage draw of all your machines (check labels on the back) and comparing it with the ratings of the electrical circuits that feed the office. If the machines' power requirements are listed in watts, multiply the figure by 1.4 and divide by 120 to get amps. ''Most residences have 15-amp circuits,'' says Melvin Perryman, master electrician with American Residential Services in Houston. Don't forget that a circuit can feed more than one room, so you may have to consider your other appliances as well. If your neighborhood is subject to power outages or fluctuations, Perryman advises installing an uninterrupted power-supply, or UPS, which hardware stores carry for about $200. These devices contain storage batteries and supply enough power so you can save data and safely shut down your equipment in case of an outage. They also regulate the voltage reaching your machines, preventing glitches. Home-office experts strongly recommend getting a separate business telephone line. ''It's very hard to look professional with family members answering your phone,'' says Kanarek. Anne Britt, a mortgage banker with Norwest who works at home in Houston, has a separate business line that is off-limits to her four young children. ''The kids call me on that line when I'm working,'' she says. Britt also has an answering service provided by her local phone company for about $7 a month. Many phone companies offer packages for home-based businesses that include services such as call waiting, three-way calling, and Internet access. Some companies, such as SBC Communications in San Antonio, have work-at-home divisions (800 700-1100, www.swbell.com/workathome) that provide free consulting. Seek out such advice and talk to veteran telecommuters when devising your overall plan. Remember, great home offices require a lot of homework.
By Kate Murphy RELATED ITEMS
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Updated Oct. 1, 1998 by bwwebmaster
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