This is a question that will arise not just when you are first starting your business - when the answer is commonly no - but throughout your freelance career as you work to decide what balance and formula works best for you. Of course, money and resources are always the first points of questioning. That said, there are lots of options each with their own set of pros and cons that are a middle ground. Maybe they even become permanent ground. But, like anything in business, it is a decision to be made with careful consideration towards yourself and the goals of your business. So we are going to explore what these options are, and ask all the right questions you are likely asking yourself if you are deciding if you need a workspace.
Home office
Establishing a dedicated office space in your home is a great option for freelancers. However, there can also be some drawbacks to working from home, so it's best to look at both sides of the story.
Pros
1.
Not only you create your workload, clients and workflow when running your own business but you can also create a workspace and routine that suits you perfectly. Working from home, you have complete control over your work environment and routine. There's so much flexibility to tailor things to your own specifications.
2.
Find your work better within hours that don't match the traditional 9-5? Your home office is available 24/7. Prefer a standing desk or exercise ball to the standard office-chair-and-desk combo? There's nothing stopping you from setting up your office however you like.
3.
Money and other resources - by centering all of your expenses in one space and having the option of coffee, food and utilities all at home - you are essentially one-upping yourself on cost management in the explicit monetary sense. This is of course after the initial cost of setting up your home office (technological equipment, furniture etc. – which you can claim on tax , by the way). Still, that an important factor considering you will be there so much, and for such extended periods of time.
4.
No commute - no running for the train, no delays, no mouth-breathers listening to techno in the Apple Airpods and no screaming kids on their way to school. Then, of course, you are saving the expense of public transport or commuting costs (which, is good for the environment by the way!) and you are also avoiding all the temptations that come with the commute: picking up a burger instead of eating your groceries at home.
5.
No daily grind - well, kind of. This depends on you. But certainly you will alleviate many of the pressure others may face in the 9 to 5’s, that can result in monotony and general lack of work life balance as well. This is usually one of the fundamental reasons people choose to become freelancers to, one could hypothesise.
6.
Flexibility - there is a certain pleasantness in going to classes morning or midday, or not having to skip out on work to go to an appointment - or in the very least having the capabilities to plan for all of these daily occurrences that can fit right into a schedule based around your home or neighbourhood. No permission needed!