Open an office - have basic questions?

Question

I'm about to (or at least hope to) open my own office soon. I'm wanting to start small with technology, mainly a 2 or 4-line phone. My question is maybe simple, but I'm used to the in-house switchboard operated multi-lines, but I'm not in a position yet to need, nor be ready for that type of investment. My question is this: If I get either 2- or 4-line phones (probably 4 just to be expandable in the future without new equipment) and have lines hooked up to them, will I need to publish/advertise each number as an office number or can they be set up to have one "master number" that will ring the 2nd line if the main line is in use? And the same basic question for 4-line. If this can't be done with a "traditional" landline, could it be done with a VoIP system set to simulring?

My second question is that office furniture is VERY expensive (at least as a startup) but also, at least in my opinion, very important since the customers first impression will be how your office looks. So, are there any places that rent/lease professional office furniture cheaply enough to make it worth not going ahead and buying it? I'm going to be in need of at least one desk for my office, a reception desk and one other desk for the front office, plus chairs for all of those, chairs for customer waiting, and customer chairs in the office(s). Also needed will be file storage, decorative/functional furnishings (bookcases/display cases/hutches), and all of that is going to cost a few months worth of earnings to buy outright - which as stated would be a huge strain initially. If anyone knows of a reputable, and cheap rental/lease company that would actually service SW Indiana it'd be appreciated (since the things I have found are Indy/St. Louis/Nashville).

Other questions include how much should I budget for signing - which the space I've selected will only have door graphic signage, and a 18"x12" road sign space available if I desire.

Sorry for all the questions, but I don't want to push myself into moving into my own office space if I'm going to jump in over my head. I *think* I've got the budget pretty well down - the space is $450, electric is around $50/mo, so I've got the bare basics, but if I'm going to be spending more than I'm bringing in it's not feasable. I should add I'm guaranteed $1500/mo for at least 6 months, plus my own income. But, I'm trying to budget for no more than $900 of that per month, since I've obviously got my own personal things to pay as well. I can stay in the office I have now - but I have no personal signage, and share an office building (and shared phone system) with 4 other people also making commission - so getting calls is like being a chicken in the alligator enclosure. I'm also going to have to pay $200/mo to stay there - with only a basement cubicle, and no personal phone line, no ability to set my own VM message @ my extension because the office manager is cheap and that requires the phone company to change, and drive about 60 miles/day round trip 5-6 days per week (appx $40/week in fuel + general maintenance). Obviously the private office will be a little more up front, but will save about 300 miles/week on my car, and allow for less competition over incoming calls and walk-ins.

OK, think I'm done rambling. Thanks all!

Answer 1

I would just get some VoIP phone systems with the basic features you think you will need and find some used furniture either on craigslist or from a furniture store with a huge sales or that is going out of business. You can find some nice stuff for great prices that way. Good luck.

Answer 2

Go to score.org and arrange for a free meeting with a volunteer SCORE counselor. They will guide you through the process.



SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping small business start, grow and succeed nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Answer 3

For that: Oo> Tools> Options> Load/Save>Microsoft: here check whether you want Oo to handle incoming Microsoft 'stuff' (L) and/or to have your 'stuff' saved so that it can be exported to a Microsoft application (S).

Answer 4

all the things you mention are relevant, but it would be nearly impossible for anyone out her in Yahoo Answers land to answer your questions intelligently until we knew WHAT KIND of a business you would be opening.

Answer 5

You really should call your local small business administration. They can help you.

Answer 6

the place where to work, the people, money~