Posted on Apr 20, 2017

Pros Cons
  • Convenience for you
  • Time flexibility
  • Lower start-up costs
  • You can write off a portion of your home operating expenses
  • Cost savings on child care
  • You can be more casual
  • No commute
  • You determine your work environment (colour of walls, lighting, temperature etc.)
  • Less confinement
  • Peace and quiet = greater concentration   = higher productivity
  • No office politics/drama
  • Healthier – Less stress
  • Healthier – Can get out for fresh air whenever you want
  • Healthier – Less take-out food
  • Healthier – More time to exercise
  • Healthier – Dog/cat hangs out with you
  • You control the size of your business
  • Cost savings on vehicle expenses/clothing
  • No big store front to set up
  • Meeting space available to rent if a conference room setting is required
  • Technology allows face to face meetings when an in person meeting isn’t necessary
  • You get to do what you love every day
  • You are your own boss
  • You are not tied to a long term lease
  • Studies show people who work from home are happier in their jobs
  • More YOU time
  • Possibly inconvenient for your customers
  • Can’t leave work at work
  • Higher household expenses
  • Home distractions during work hours (kids, laundry, phone, television)
  • Kids screaming in the background
  • Tough to remain professional in bunny slippers
  • Loss of living space
  • Depending on your business – you may have strangers going through your home
  • Neighbours who don’t like the higher traffic generated by your customers
  • Social isolation
  • No physical barrier between work and life
  • Out of sync with other family members (you want to get out of the house while they want to stay home)
  • Customers call or show up outside of work hours
  • Limited room for expansion
  • Higher house insurance costs
  • Signage limitations
  • Zoning by-laws
  • Don’t look as professional
  • If you live in a rural area, internet might be a problem….more expensive too
  • Loved ones/friends who think you are available to chat or run errands for them
  • Home based businesses tend to be worth less upon sale