How Much Should You Spend On a Home Office Setup?

Over the past two years since Covid began, many people started working at home. Now that the dust has settled, many companies have decided to make working at home permanent. If you are new to remote work, you will need to set up a home office. The question is, how much should you spend on your home office setup?

Home Office Setup Considerations

Before investing in your home office setup, you first need to consider whether you will be working at home permanently or temporarily. If you plan on working remotely for the foreseeable future, you will want better quality equipment to last for a long time.
On the flip side, if you think you might be going back to the office in a few months, you may want to minimize your investment.
In some cases, the items you purchase for your home office setup could be used in other ways or other areas of the house after you return to work. These are some things to consider when planning to set up your home office.

Home Office Setup Costs

According to the experts, typically, an individual could spend around $200 to set up a bare-bones office, but more often, the average is between $800-$2,000. Here are some of the items you might need:
  • Desk - $100-$500+
  • Chair - $50-$250+
  • Computer or Laptop - $250-$3,000
  • Monitor - $75-$300
  • Mouse - $5-$30
  • Keyboard - $10-$30
  • Noise-canceling headphones - $60-$350
  • Printer - $50-$1,000
The list above is the minimum you might need to do your job at home. Some other things you might have to invest in include:
  • Tablet (iPad or similar)
  • Smartphone
  • Laptop stand
  • Webcam
  • VPN for security
  • Lighting
  • Office supplies (paper, pens, paper clips, etc.)
  • Time tracker to help you focus
Don’t forget about software. Most people use Office 365, and you may have to invest in a subscription at $9/month along with other software programs or apps. Your employer may supply some items or not; it depends on the company.

Tips to Spend Less on Your Home Office

Setting up a home office doesn’t need to break the bank. You can use the tips below to minimize the initial expense and get up and running fast.

Use a Budget

Keep a strict balanced budget, so you know how much you have to invest in your home office setup. Don’t overspend. You can always start small and upgrade things later.

Keep Your Expectations Realistic

When starting out working at home, you don’t need top-of-the-line equipment. You could pare down your expectations and needs and outfit a fully functioning office for far less money. Be realistic about what you want versus what you actually need and find a happy medium.

Buy Used Equipment

Don’t be afraid to buy used items or accept donations from friends and family. You can scan Craigslist and find used desks and chairs pretty easily. You might also get lucky and find someone who wants to sell a working printer cheap.

DIY Furniture

It’s possible to save a lot of money by building your own desk or buying a desk you need to assemble at home. Also consider visiting a thrift shop or flea market to find some good furniture. You may have to restore it or do a little DIY repair, but it could work out great in the end.
The goal is to create the most effective home office you can while spending as little as possible.

Extended Warranty Options

Setting up the perfect home office is exciting and fun. However, when thinking about investing a lot of cash in expensive electronics, don’t forget about the computer warranty or monitor warranty. Often, electronics come with flimsy manufacturers’ warranties that last only a year and cover manufacturing defects but not much else.
Upsie offers the best protection for your electronics that covers you long after the original warranty runs out. Plus, many of Upsie’s warranties cover accidental damage (iPhones, iPads, Laptops, etc.), so if you crack the screen or get it wet, Upsie will help schedule a repair or replace it. Upsie also offers Smartphone Subscription Warranties that cost just $9.99 per month for comprehensive protection.
Protecting yourself against unnecessary and unexpected expenses is a big part of saving money. If you don’t have an extended warranty, you will have to pay for repairs or replacements out of pocket. Depending on what breaks, that bill can add up quickly.
Customers love being able to access claims 24/7 and getting their devices repaired quickly with Upsie.
Enjoy your home office more and relax knowing all your technology and appliances are protected with an Upsie warranty!

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* This article is over 6 months old and may or may not be updated.