Comments on: Should You Let Clients and Co-Workers See Your Home?

By: Heather

Heather — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:44:38 +0000

For me it’s literally a non-issue: my professional indemnity insurance does not allow it. After all, if a client tripped on the proverbial icy step while coming into my house for a meeting, they could sue me. You may wish to check your own insurance for the fine print on that matter.

Aside from that, in the UK, using your home office as meeting space rather than simple desk space may expose you to liability for paying business rates, as your home office may be viewed as commercial premises. That raises the possibility of having a rates assessor come to your home to assess the commercial value of 1/6th or whatever of your property, charge you for that, then delete that from your council tax rates. Best to avoid that whole mess altogether and go to a coffeehouse!

By: Thursday Bram

Thursday Bram — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:23:16 +0000

Co-working spaces can be great… but they aren’t always the most convenient options, as Heather says. I live close to two big cities (Baltimore and DC), that both have great co-working spaces — but they’re still quite a drive.

There are some offices buildings that offer conference rooms for an hourly rate — it’s a matter of calling around and finding one.

By: Quinn

Quinn — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:08:46 +0000

My local library has two closed meeting rooms available to anyone who asks. They are pretty decent for the price: FREE. Conference tables and free wi-fi.

By: Brendan

Brendan — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:34:52 +0000

I personally think that the decision is different for client vs. co-worker. I wouldn’t mind have co-workers over to get to know them better. Clients– it really depends the type of business and how well you know them.

By: Heather

Heather — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:41:36 +0000

Co-working spaces are most common in large cities (there are a few here in the Seattle area), but people in rural setting would be hard pressed to find the same. Libraries, churches or community centers often have conference rooms that can be rented (with notice) and most have WiFi.

By: Laurent

Laurent — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:37:18 +0000

I think that it exist some office places that you can rent by the hour, specially for meeting clients and stuff like that, instead of using your home.

Have you already tried those?

By: m

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:29:27 +0000

what about those “co working” offices, the kind that will rent space by the hour