2 Where will you work?

This is a continuation of my blog for those lawyers who may be thinking about becoming self-employed. Click here for my previous post.

Premises Options

This may seem like an obvious one, but it needs a lot of consideration, e.g not just the suitability of the premises for working, but also cost.

If you are working through a high street firm with an office, you may be provided with an office at their premises, but you may be required to find your own workplace.

With a virtual firm, it is likely that you will have to sort out your own workplace. The type of premises will come down to your own needs. Most, when starting off, will think about working from home. This can seem attractive as it requires no travel (and therefore longer in bed), minimal cost, playing with the dog, watching TV .... and that's another problem - do you have the discipline to work from home?

Also, do you have the space to set aside a working area and enough peace and quiet to be able to speak confidentially and without disruption to a client?

If home is not an option, before committing to leased premises you could consider serviced offices which often offer short-term rentals with termination on one month's notice.

Serviced offices may be more expensive than taking an office on a longer lease in the medium to long term, but as you don’t necessarily know when starting off how much you are going to earn, if things don’t turn out as you hoped you can usually terminate the agreement at relatively short notice.

Leased premises are an option you may consider once you've established a regular income, but they are a serious commitment.

Meeting clients

You will need to consider where you will meet clients. I mostly work from home and when it is necessary to meet a client in person, I either rent a serviced office for around £15 to £20 per hour plus VAT. Alternatively, clients are surprised and pleased when they realise I will actually go and see them at their premises.

Security

If you are working from home, you will have to consider security of client files and data, e.g. locked filing cabinet, alarm, data encryption.