Anyone working out of a townhouse or appartment?

[BurlingtonITGuy.com]

I run my repair business part time after hours (work full time in IT), and I work out of my home, but a problem I face is that I live in a townhouse that's located in a large townhouse complex, and the entry to my unit is off of an unmarked lane way that can be hard to find for most customers.

Believe it or not, I meet customers at a coffee shop (across the street) a lot of the time, where they give me their equipment, I always give them the option of dropping it off there, or at my townhouse unit (harder to find) which some customers also choose to do.

Any how, I'm curious what others do in the same position as me, meeting at a coffee shop is so unprofessional and time consuming going over multiple times in a night, but finding my unit is pretty hard as well. I don't see any other options short of moving, which isn't an option in the near future.

Any feedback/ideas are appreciated!

 

[RichmondTech]

Office space on craigslist is dirt cheap. You don't have to spend money to jazz it up like a retail storefront. Problem solved.

 

[callthatgirl]

I started out in my basement apt (yeah, basement apt!), moved into a shop about a year later. I hated meeting clients and moreover, hated when they had to come to my house due to some odd reason.

Once you're frustrated with the running around, you will move out. It's the natural progression I think.

 

[JNEWTON]

I live in a townhouse as well. Where I meet a client is different every time. Depending on the distance, typically 5-10 minutes from my house. Once I reach x amount of income a day I will be purchasing an office building.

 

[Mr.Mike]

I work out of a separate building on my property and don't take clients there. I have had clients deliver to my home, but part of my schtick is I go to there location. When I find an issue that requires bench-work, I leave the owner with a receipt and to a takeaway. Nothing unprofessional about that.

It is exciting to have your own brick-n-mortar with employees, I admit. I just don't think it's something for me to have one nowadays.

 

[BurlingtonITGuy.com]

Thanks for the replies!

Sounds like I'm not the only one in this situation at least

I guess my biggest thing is I work FT during the day, and the last thing I (read my fiancee) want is to spend every moment I'm not working, at other peoples houses, or in a store front all night.. If I were single and not getting married this year, well then... bring on the house calls and money! At least working from home it's at my own pace, in my own environment.

I guess I continue, and if I ever reach a point where the income from this approaches the income I make from my job, I look at getting an office/store front

 

[JNEWTON]

Make sure you make time for her and yourself.

Last thing you want is to have relationship issues because you are working too much.

 

[pc-rebuilders]

My setup

I work out of my house. I hand out business cards everywhere I go. The bank teller, vet, etc., this gets some business. I pick up machines and have built a small shop - work bench in the garage. When I have things to sell, I use Craigs list. However, I never let anyone in my residence - and if they have a machine to drop off, I will only do that if I have worked for them before and know them. I have advised my wife that no-one is ever going to stop by unless I have cleared them and wife is aware. Plus, I have security set -up as a precaution...

 

[RegEdit]

There are lawyers who operate out of their homes, so why not the neighborhood computer tech?

 

[2452sgtb]

I repair from home on a 5-9'er basis and prefer to go to the clients home. If there is a bench repair needed then I take the equipment away with me. Don't like to encourage visiters to my house.

 

[Mr.Mike]

I repair from home on a 5-9'er basis and prefer to go to the clients home. If there is a bench repair needed then I take the equipment away with me. Don't like to encourage visiters to my house.

Hey Spock, don't you mean 9-5er? Or are you a stealth repair kinda dude working the graveyard shift? BTW, I don't bring clients home either.

 

[2452sgtb]

No, I mean 5-9'er. I hold down a day job and repair in my spare time. Trying to build up a business for my retirement in 4 years time.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

 

[Gary Orner]

I work out of my home. I have an office set up here with may station in my basement. I do not mind people coming over to my home as they really never enter my home but only my office or to my station. Well should I say that only well known customers get to come down to my work station.

My city is a mid size city but I am easily found. I also will pick up units or do home repair.

 

[Mr.Mike]

No, I mean 5-9'er. I hold down a day job and repair in my spare time. Trying to build up a business for my retirement in 4 years time.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

You are to be admired. Here's to reaching your 4-year goal!!

 

[mraikes]

......snipped........

I guess my biggest thing is I work FT during the day, and the last thing I (read my fiancee) want is to spend every moment I'm not working, at other peoples houses, .........snipped.......

LOL, that's the problem right there. Wait til you've been married 20+ and you'll hear the same thing I do; "Hey . . . don't you have any appointments tonight?!"

 

[BurlingtonITGuy.com]

LOL, that had me laughing at my PC, I'm sure the long we're married the more time I'll have for my business

 

[Mr.Mike]

LOL, that had me laughing at my PC, I'm sure the long we're married the more time I'll have for my business

And so it starts.....