WHO TO CALL:

Community Editor Andrew McCredie

1 147)

he 85-2191

“Technological progress is like an “axe in the hands of a pathological Coriminal”-

Albert Einstein

“OBVIOUSLY, ALBERT never . needed a home-based office.

‘By Andrew McCredie » News Reporter

For today, technological advances have allowed office-chained workers the. option of working from the friendly confines of their own home.

And while the jury is still out on .the productivity of such home-office arrangements — some argue that

orking .at_ home is detrimental because it never gives you a change

f scenery — the concept of working from home is here to stay.

if you, like many of us, are think-

ing of setting up a home-based office, e following 11 ‘tips should set you .in the right direction. s

a Tips on » Renovating for the ' Home-Based Office:

Zoning By-Laws — Zoning by- 'S Outline what is legal. within a ity’s boundaries. Do your research ly. Zoning restrictions can apply to uch things as size of building, how lose a building can be to the street, arking, the numberof employees, amount. of traffic, ‘size and type of outdoor signs. 2. Regulations, Laws, Permits and icences — Regulations and laws at: ‘affect home-based businesses xist-at federal, provincial and local r. municipal: Governments. Laws at federal. and provincial levels cover ch things as 5 adlvertising. packaging .

Home and Garden Editor Layne Christensen

945-2131 (118)

and labelling. At the municipal level, by-laws cover where different types of businesses can operate and licences and permits required to con- duct the business. Keep in mind you may also require permits to do the renovation in your house for your office.

3. Insurance and Liability — Find out as much as possible before setting up about your insurance and liability policy, discuss the policy with your insurance broker and find out which items are covered, e.g., theft of office equipment or a client trips on a toy and falls down a flight of stairs.

4, Overview of House. Design — Where in the house are your noisy, quiet, clean, messy, and private areas? Spend some time to observe the traf- fic flow and accessibility to other areas, ¢.g., Whirlpool, kitchen, laun- dry room, bathrooms. Will the office have a separate entrance possibility? How much ceiling clearance is there? How does the Structure, heating, plumbing and electrical wiring check out?

§. Entrances — First impressions are cracial.. The. front door marks the boundary from outside to inside, from rain and cold to dryness and warmth. Consider a separate entrance to avoid loud noises, smelly air, cry- ing babies or neighbors dropping by for a visit. The door not only offers security but also makes an impres- sion. The impression can vary from solidness to partially glazed, convey- ing opermess and light. Consider quality door handles, bells and knockers that match the style of the

_door and house. Accessibility for the

disabled at the entrance is a must.

6. Ventilation. — Consider if the office will receive natural ventilation or cross ventilation by opening win-

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dows, Will the office be located in an area that will overheat in the summer and be cold in the winter? Will mechanical ventilation need to be installed? How easily can mechanical ventilation be installed? Often metal ducts need to be installed along with air filters. ;

7. Laying out your office — What things will your office need to fune- tion? E.g., sofa, desk, chairs, lights, planters, storage files or cabinets, electricity, computer, telephones, photocopier, fax machine, satellite dish, typewriters, answering machine. After prioritizing the list, determine how many items fit into the space. Take some graph paper and draw a floor plan. Make some rough sketches of the elevations and spatial arrangement of the items you have listed above. Using some masking tape or string on the floor, Jayout the items using correct dimensions in the room. Notice whether furniture blocks any outlets and switches to which you'll need access.

8. Shape and size of the room — The choice of floor, wall and ceiling materials can have an influence on the ‘appearance of the room. Dark materials will make a small room seem smaller, light colored materials will make it seem larger. Materials with vertical lines make a room appear taller; those with horizontal lines make it wider. Strongly textured or patterned material help to conceal changes in.a wall surface whereas smooth, plain materials accentuate such changes.

9. Temperature and humidity — Both are closely related as they affect

_comfort at a given temperature. One

is more comfortable if the humidity is moderate, rather than too high or too low. Excessive humidity makes the air feel heavy and forms condensa- tion on windows. Low humidity mukes the nose and throat feel dry.

10. Control of dust and dirt — Dust and dirt in the office is always a nui-

sance and difficult to control. Good’

design features such as easy to main- tain and clean building materials can help. Well designed entryways help concentrate incoming dirt and an exhaust fan in the kitchen carries

: grease and odors outdoors. Keep fur-

hace ae ducts and plenums clean.

Friday, February 17, 1995 — North Shore News - 13

ioe

Home-Based... Business - MANUAL

o © Stagmne vous: HOME-BASED BUSINESS

NEWS photo Torry Potors

NORTH VANCOUVER Chamber. of Commerce manager. Judi Ainsworth holds up a manual! for setting up a home-based - office. The Chamber hosts a.workshop. dealing with. home- based business tomorrow at 9 a.m. Cost is $35 per. person. Tickets availabie at the door or by calling 987-4488. The Chamber is located at 131 East 2nd St., North Vancouver. ”

11. Privacy and control sound — Privacy is more than. just a closed door. It is freedom to be alone; free- dom from others’ noise and activities; from interruption. Open areas. may give a. fecling of. spaciousness but they can reduce privacy. Sound can be controlled with good construction and careful selection of furnishings. Office furnishings can help absorb noises before they ‘are transmitted. Floors, walls, ceilings and doors in

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the office'can be designed to reduce . the transmission of sound,

The bottom line of any home office is that the space must be com- fortable. Your ability to maintain a — comfortable office will depend in part on sound construction, quality win-. dows and frames, adequate insula- tion, ventilation, heating and cooling equipment. Other: factors: such as space, dust, light and color may. also. affect comfort, as does good design.