If you’re wondering “should I rent an office or work from home?”, you’re in the right place! In this article, we’ll explore some of the pros and cons of each option.

Ultimately, there are going to be some upsides and downsides to either option. Yet, depending on your unique situation, you’ll be able to weigh the options with this new knowledge.

Plus, if you’ve been working remotely for a while, you’ve very likely been thinking about whether you should rent an office space or work from home. Or, if you’ve previously been in an office space, we’ll discover some of the pros and cons of remote work from home.

Read on to learn more as we investigate this topic!

Renting an Office Space vs Working From Home: Commuting

One of the first things to consider when deciding whether to work from home or rent office space is the commute. Of course, when you’re working from home, there is no commute to consider.

As one of the popularly stated up-sides of remote work, this may or may not be interesting to you. Lots of people really enjoy their commute to work, citing it as one of the best times to either prepare for the day or unwind after the day is through.

Yet, it is important to consider what you can do with the extra time. Many remote workers enjoy an extra 30-60 minutes per day, which can be used for many things such as:

• Going to the gym
• Walking the dog
• Spending time with family
• Making meals
• Much more!

As you can see, there are certainly many pros to remote work, but it may not be for you. By considering this line of thought, you are one step closer to understanding if you should work from home or rent an office.

Read on to explore flexibility options between the two scenarios.

Renting an Office Space vs Working From Home: Flexibility

Flexibility may be one of the most important aspects to consider when thinking about “should I work from home or rent an office space.” Fundamentally, this is because the flexibility can make or break a work day.

When working from home, you’ll experience the maximum level of flexibility. You can work earlier in the morning, or later in the evening. Other than meetings, most remote jobs allow the work to be completed throughout the day whenever possible.

Yet, this flexibility in the workday isn’t always a benefit. In many cases, individuals can find it difficult to work in such an unstructured environment. Without the structure of a schedule, they can find themselves getting distracted and losing productivity in their day.

However, if you’re in an office space, you may find that while your flexibility decreases, your productivity may increase. By being in a dedicated office for working, you can clearly define when you’re ‘online’ and ‘offline’.

Of course, when thinking about whether you should work from home or rent an office, productivity is really important to consider.

By thinking through this and determining which is the best for you, you’ll be able to make a more thorough decision about which situation you’d prefer.

Read on to learn more as we address the dress code in an office space vs working from home.

Working from Home vs Renting an Office Space: Dress Code

When working from home, it is no surprise that a dress code is thrown out the window. While you may have used to wear professional attire daily, now a pair of sweats will do just fine.

Ultimately, many people find this appealing. They like the idea that they can wear whatever they’d like during the work day, and that they can be comfortable in whatever they’d prefer.

While this is possible in a remote environment, you may not want to do this if you’re renting an office space. For many, wearing more professional attire further increases productivity throughout their work day.

Many find, for example, that putting on that button-down shirt rather than pajamas flips their mind into ‘work mode’. Since you’ll be considering your productivity as a key factor when considering working from home vs renting an office, this is something to think about.

Of course, you can slightly vary either situation. For example, you can wear more professional attire at home, if you’d like. Or, if you’re renting an office space, you can set your own dress code. Yet, these are the most common themes that we find in workplaces.

Continue reading to learn more about our final consideration, family, and pets.

Working from Home vs Renting an Office Space: Family and pets

When thinking about working from home vs renting an office, your family members and pets will also be affected by your decision.

Working from home can be an appealing option when you realize that you can walk the dog, tend to the cats, or have breakfast and lunch with the family. You can drive the kids to school, or have coffee with a significant other.

While all of these are great, there is a cost on the back-end. Over time, these activities can get in the way of your day-to-day business or organizational routine. Especially if you’re taking lots of calls or on video meetings, many of these opportunities can quickly turn into distractions.

When renting an office space, alternatively, you can focus more on your business and daily responsibilities in a distraction-free environment.

Fundamentally, the main concern when deciding whether to work from home or rent an office space is your level of discipline and understanding. By realizing your limitations and work preferences, you can decide if you like to work in a distraction-free environment or prefer more freedom.

Some other factors when considering working from home vs renting an office space include:

• The working environment and coworkers
• Rental costs
• Taxes

No matter what you decide, it’s important to consider all of these factors when making a decision on where you’d prefer to work. At the end of the day, it is vital to make whatever decision works best for you.

There is no cookie-cutter way to work. In the past, many people thought of ‘going to work’ as a one-size-fits-all option, where you’d clock in at 9 AM and clock out at 5 PM, preceded and followed by a 30-minute-or-so commute.

Yet, as we continue to move online more and more, there are many opportunities for remote work. Will you be taking the opportunity, or renting an office space instead?

Get to Know Wilmington University, Sponsor of Career Corner

Wilmington University, the sponsor of VISTA Today’s Career Corner, is a private, open-access institution that serves the unique needs of more than 20,000 busy adults seeking advancement through higher education.

The most affordable private university in the Delaware Valley, WilmU is committed to the idea that finishing an undergraduate degree or obtaining a Master’s degree can be both affordable and accessible.

The University offers more than 200 accredited and career-relevant degree and certificate programs in flexible online and hybrid formats designed to accommodate any adult’s demanding work, family, and personal schedules.

Learn more about WilmU here or register to attend one of the school’s frequent webinars for an overview of programs, flexible scheduling options, affordable tuition, the admissions process, and more.

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