Opening a new business is both exciting and draining. You’re investing time, resources, and money to achieve your dream. Avoid unnecessary losses and mistakes with this art business startup checklist. It will direct you on key areas to polish on as you prepare to open the shop.
1. Install Security Features
You’ve invested a lot of capital in buying equipment, installing features, and getting your office ready. For this reason, the first item on our art business startup checklist is to protect your new business from the eventualities of fire. Invest in fire and smoke detectors as soon as you can.
There are smart detectors that can alert you to environmental hazards such as heightened temperatures. Fire detection sensors will pick up the presence of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and heightened temperature, triggering alarms. Install low-temperature sensors in areas with water pipes, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and break rooms. Doing this will help you detect water leakages before they get worse. If your business has flood-prone areas, install sensors to capture flooding on time.
Install a video security system to protect your business from theft, internal and external. Hidden cameras can catch thieves in the act. They’ll help you identify shoplifters and warn them against their mischief.
Video systems can also help enhance employee productivity and safety. They’ll allow you to monitor employee behavior and identify inefficiencies and unsafe work habits such as fights and bullying. You’ll better understand your business’ daily workflows and how to improve.
You can use these video footages when doing performance reviews to show a worker where they did well. They’re also useful during training to point out unsafe work behavior.
It’s also a good idea to schedule a fire protection sprinkler system installation for your premises. These systems can save the lives of employees in case of a fire. A properly working sprinkler system will reduce damage on your premises by quickly suppressing the spread of the fire.
They’re cost-effective and easy to maintain. With regular maintenance, these systems can last more than twenty years without major repairs and upgrades. Ensure to get comprehensive fire protection insurance that can team up with your business sprinkler systems to keep people and property safe and secure.
2. Remodel Your Bathroom
You want your office bathrooms to give a restful experience to your clients. So your second must-do on the art business startup checklist is remodeling your bathroom. It will cost you money for sure, but it’ll instantly improve the quality of life for those on your premises and the value of your business.
A remodel, when well done, brightens the bathroom, improves its use and functionality, and boosts the property’s value by a considerable margin. That said, the average price of a bathroom remodel could go up to $10,000, according to MySynchrony. This is an investment you’ll need to consider wisely.
Before shopping for a bathroom remodeling contractor, take time to gather all your ideas. You can list your goals for the remodel project. Include the specific esthetics and the design features you want included.
Next, make your remodel budget and establish your desired timelines. If you’re confident that the contractor can handle the remodeling in totality, then that’s okay. However, if you feel you’ll need additional professional assistance, slot it in your plans.
Bathroom remodeling contractors deal with demolishing old walls and surfaces, then embark on structural repairs and installation. If the project needs more complicated engineering procedures, such as reconfiguring walls, your best bet is to consult a licensed architect. These professionals can provide expertise on efficient layouts and specialized fixture solutions as well.
3. Maintain Your Roof
Your roof is what shields everything inside your business. When the roof is damaged and in disrepair, the effects, such as leakages in your office, will be obvious. There’s no shortcut. Roof maintenance and repair must be part of your art business startup checklist.
Get your roof cleaned by a professional roofer and regularly inspected for longer service. After cleaning, the roofing contractor will apply preventative products containing zinc and copper that will keep away the growth of moss, lichen, and algae. When applied annually as part of maintenance, these products block off the growth of all substances on your shingles.
Keep the gutters cleaned and maintained with the help of a commercial gutter cleaning professional. When kept in working condition, gutters will direct water and debris away from your roof and building’s foundation, protecting your roof and the building. Keep them free of leaves, sticks, and other debris. If your business premises are in a location that experiences hurricanes almost on a regular schedule, or if you’re located in a place with many trees, clean your gutters every quarter. If the area doesn’t have trees nearby, you can clean your gutters at least twice a year to ensure water flows smoothly.
4. Purchase the Equipment You Need
For your business to get to a winning start, it needs special assets and equipment. List the assets you need and how you plan to pay for them. Considering whether to buy or lease them should be part of your art business startup checklist.
Leasing is beneficial because you can access all the necessary equipment without buying. A short-term lease will allow you to test the equipment and determine its suitability for your work. Your provider may factor maintenance into your lease agreement, so you’ll not incur extra expenses for this exercise.
Another benefit is lease payments for business assets are tax-deductible. Though leasing is a fast means to get your business equipment, it’s also more expensive over the lifetime of your business. You’ll also need to be keen on your lease structure to ensure it works in your favor.
Your other option is to purchase all your business equipment. A printer can help reduce the need for printing services, so invest in a good-quality machine that’ll serve you for a long time. Ensure it has a long-term service warranty, and you can reach technicians within short notice.
5. Have the Space Inspected
Your business space is among your brand’s most significant investments. Getting the ideal space will attract significant costs and paperwork. That’s why having your premises inspected must be part of your art business startup checklist.
Your eyes could see a seemingly perfect property, but hazards and problematic features may lurk underneath. Inspections are best done by a professional whose trained eye can detect anomalies. Call a commercial property inspection service to run a check on the space. Doing this will give you confidence to use the space comfortably and avoid unnecessary trouble.
A commercial property inspector will check the property’s features, especially those that can affect your business’s structures and workflow. They’ll advise whether your business space needs restoration services, including asbestos removal to make the building habitable. Their inspection will identify the root cause of any odor, signs of flooding, mold, or sewage backup, allowing them to advise accordingly.
6. Install Insulation
Your business premises may have had insulation installed earlier. However, improving your energy efficiency is worth going the extra mile. You may have sealed air leaks around the doors and windows, but you can further maximize your energy efficiency by including re-insulation in the art business startup checklist.
For older properties, re-insulation can improve the efficiency of your HVAC system.
With proper insulation, your heating and cooling systems won’t have to work too hard to keep your building comfortable. The system can, therefore, run more efficiently and last longer without problems. You’ll have peace of mind because you’re sure the system won’t break down during the day when business is booming.
Re-insulation will increase comfort levels inside your premises by shutting out air leaks. These leaks occur through gaps in windows, walls, ceilings, and doors. The right amount of insulation will keep your space comfortable throughout the year.
Plus, a properly insulated office building can help reduce outside and inside noise between rooms and stories. Your contractor can advise on the best materials to use for the insulation exercise. Call the insulation installation services, and they’ll handle your specific demands.
7. Get Insurance
Insuring your business before opening shop is important. Many mishaps and accidents can happen, leaving you with unforeseen, costly losses. It’s in your best interest to include buying insurance in your art business startup checklist.
Shop for business insurance protection to help cover any property damages. Research online for a reputable insurance agent experienced in designing, delivering, and implementing business benefit packages. Your insurance cover should include benefit programs that will encourage a healthy and productive workplace and workforce.
As you compare product offerings within the insurance sector, consult a Christian insurance company and inquire about their unique products. Some insurers may not offer covers customized to your business, so keep that in mind as you shop around. You need business insurance to protect you and your company from financial losses in a crisis. Commercial liability insurance is essential for covering bodily injury, personal and advertising injury, and property damages.
When shopping for the right insurance for your business, always compare policies. Remember that you’ll be offered rates depending on the particular features of your business. You may consider a Business owner policy (BOP), which includes property coverage and general liability insurance.
The BOP covers property damages, customer injury, product-related claims, and commercial building and movable property coverage. A number of these BOPs also offer business interruption coverage. With this, you’ll get paid for lost revenues if you close down due to a claim that it covers.
8. Prepare Your Finances
Avoid falling into the trap of trying to do everything. As part of your art business startup checklist, include the cost of hiring a finance professional. These experts will help you analyze and plan for finances.
As a small business owner, don’t overlook the role you play in the company. When you enlist the help of professional accountant services, they’ll ensure you’re on the payroll. You’re part of the business and your compensation matters. An accountant will ensure proper handling of your business and personal finances.
They’ll help you set up your business plan and structure, manage your tax payments and financial reports, and create realistic budgets for your business. Besides giving solid financial analysis in your business plan, they’ll advise on the type of accounting software your business needs at each point of its growth.
The accountant will ensure you follow financial rules and regulations to remain legally in business. They also explain financial statements and oversee payment processes.
Considering your financial needs, you may feel that you don’t need an accountant for everything. In that case, only hire an accountant during the start-up days. They’ll handle your annual reporting. Meanwhile, work with a bookkeeper to manage your books regularly. Get a financial advisor to help refine your business vision for expansion, including setting aside money for investing in new opportunities, such as opening a new branch, new products, and services, among other efforts to grow.
9. Keep the Space Spotless
A reliable cleaning company should also be part of your art business startup checklist. A reputable commercial cleaning service will come to your premises with their cleaning products and equipment. They’ll also have trained workers who know how to properly use the equipment and other cleaning chemicals.
As you compare one cleaning company and another, look at their range of janitorial services. Request for a customized package to fit your unique cleaning requirements. Inspect their cleaning tools and chemicals to ascertain that they’re not harsh or compromising on safety.
Is the commercial cleaning company trustworthy? Most of these companies work at night. They’ll need to work inside your building when your workers are away, and the office is closed. Ensure the commercial cleaning company and its workers are insured. They should be able to cover any injuries a cleaner suffers while working on your property, not pass the liability to you.
You have taken the bold step of opening your art business. The above ideas only point towards giving you a head start. The rest is on you to grow the business to success. Choose wisely the team you want to work with while sticking to your business plan. Success is assured as long as you follow the right advice and practices.