What Type of Work?
Working for yourself
You might decide to become self-employed in your existing trade or profession. If your job can be done at home, you might decide to work independently. Perhaps you feel you can make more money, be more efficient or more cost-effective than your employer’s operation, or perhaps you just want to change your lifestyle.
Your knowledge, experience and existing contacts might get you off to a good start. However, you will need to be reasonably sure that you can sustain the flow of work. You should also check your current employment contract. This could contain a clause preventing you from operating in the same business as your employer in a certain area or for a certain length of time.
You could consider turning your hobby into a business. You may be a whizz at woodwork, fantastic at photography or an expert at engraving. This could be your chance to earn a living from what you like doing most.
Or, you could consider supplying a home-based service to the local community, for example, decorating, gardening or complementary therapy. Be aware of what sort of services might be needed; avoid offering a service where there will be lots of competition. You could buy an existing local small business. This might be the safest way to start. For example, a window-cleaning round, mobile hairdressing or delivery business may already have an established customer-base.
Some people turn their home into a business. You could consider running a bed & breakfast establishment or, if you have the space, a tea/coffee shop or art/craft gallery, for example. If your garden is big enough, it might be possible to grow and sell your own produce.
Childminding could be another option for home workers. You will need to pass an Ofsted inspection to make sure that your home is safe and suitable for children.
Working for someone else
You might be able to keep your existing job, but work from home. This will, of course, depend on the type of work you do. Clerical or administrative work in particular lends itself to home-based working. Jobs in selling often allow work from home. Advances in communications technology have made staying in touch when away from the workplace much easier.
Using computers and other communication hardware, it is possible to link your home computer with your employer’s network. A range of services can be provided in this way; from computer programming and database management to stock control and book-keeping.
Alternatively, you could retrain in another skill more suitable for home-based work. If your job is not one that lends itself to homeworking, you could consider a course of training in another more suitable skill.
Some homeworkers assemble goods, pack products or make clothes. You may be able to gain a regular supply of work from one or more businesses. Make sure you will be working for a reasonable hourly rate and get a contract. Never send any money in advance to a company advertising for homeworkers.
Franchises
Consider a suitable home-based franchise business. Franchise operations allow you to buy into an already established business. Franchisees normally have an exclusive area in which to trade, and may receive equipment, advice, training and marketing support from the franchiser.
In addition to your initial investment, you pay the franchiser a percentage of your profits. As with any other business investment, it is vital to seek professional, impartial advice on the terms of any franchise operation you might consider.
The British Franchise Association has a list of member franchisers, and also runs seminars for people thinking of becoming franchisees.