Business guide
Moving your business
out of home and into a unit
Working from home is cheap and convenient, until it is not. This guide helps you spot the moment to move, compare the real costs, and plan a move that does not interrupt your work.
Signs you have outgrown home
Very few people decide to move out on a whim. It usually builds up over months. If several of these sound familiar, it is worth doing the sums.
- Stock, packaging or tools have spread beyond one room.
- You turn down bigger jobs or orders because there is nowhere to put them.
- Family life and work keep getting in each other's way.
- You avoid noisy or messy tasks because of neighbours.
- You would like clients to visit, but not your house.
- Couriers, deliveries and parcels have taken over the hallway.
There is also a quieter sign: you stop switching off. When work is always in the next room, it is hard to leave it. A separate place to go each morning can do as much for your head as for your business.
Money is a sign too. If you are paying for a garage, a friend's spare room or several small storage spaces just to keep the business going, bringing everything under one roof may cost less than you think.
Check what home working allows
Before comparing costs, make sure your current set-up is not quietly breaking a rule. GOV.UK points out that you may need permission from your mortgage lender or landlord to run a business from home, and planning permission if you make major changes.
Home insurance is another common gap. Many household policies do not cover business stock, tools or visitors, so check your policy wording. If you find a problem here, it can tip the decision towards moving out sooner.
Compare the real costs
Working from home is not free. You already pay for heat, light and space, and as a sole trader you may claim a share of those costs as business expenses. GOV.UK sets out a simplified flat rate based on hours worked at home, or you can work out the actual business proportion. Moving out replaces that with rent and running costs, which are usually allowable business expenses too.
| Cost to compare | Working from home | Small unit |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | None | Weekly or monthly rent |
| Electricity | Part of the household bill | Metered usage, often separate |
| Insurance | May need a business add-on | Your own contents and liability cover |
| Business rates | Not normally for a small home office | May apply, ask about the unit |
| Travel | None | Daily journey |
| Lost work | Jobs turned down for lack of space | Room to take them on |
The last row matters most. If more space lets you take one extra job or a bigger order each month, it may cover the rent on its own.
What to look for in your first space
Your first premises should solve today's problem without locking you in. Look for flexibility above everything else.
- Short, rolling terms with a clear notice period.
- Electricity and internet already connected, so you can start straight away.
- Access at the hours you actually work.
- Wide access for bulky items, such as a roller shutter.
- A landlord who will let you move to a bigger or smaller space later.
- Clear rules about what activities are allowed.
At The Rock Factory, terms are rolling monthly with one month's notice after the first month, and you can swap to a bigger or smaller unit any time, subject to availability. Lighting, electricity and Wi-Fi are already connected, and there is 24-hour access. Our rental terms spell out the details.
A simple plan for the move
- Measure what you haveList your stock, shelving, tools and furniture. It tells you what size you need, and what to leave behind.
- Pick the sizeUse the storage unit size guide and allow room to work, not just to store.
- Sort the paperworkArrange insurance from your move-in date, and update your address with suppliers, customers and HMRC where needed.
- Move in stagesShelving first, then stock, then the things you use every day. Keep trading throughout.
- Tell your customersUpdate your website, social profiles and Google Business Profile once you are settled.
Moving in costs at The Rock Factory are one month's rent in advance and a security deposit equal to one month's rent. You will also need valid government-issued photo ID and a signed Direct Debit mandate.
After the move
Give yourself a few weeks to settle before judging whether it worked. Track whether you take on more work, how much time you save, and how you feel at the end of each day.
Your new address can help customers find you. Tenants may use the Rock Factory address on their Google Business Profile, and our Google Business Profile address guide explains how to do it properly. If you also have visitors, read our guide to health and safety in a small unit.
Finally, review your insurance once you are in. Tell your home insurer that business stock has left the house, and make sure your new business cover starts on the day you move, not the day you remember.
What changes when you leave home
Moving out is not just a change of address. A few practical things shift at the same time, and it helps to expect them.
Your routine
You gain a commute, however short, and a clear start and end to the working day. Most people find this helps them focus, but plan when you will do admin, as it is easy to leave it for evenings at home.
Your records
If you used the flat rate or a proportion of household bills for working from home, that calculation changes when your main workplace moves. Your accountant or GOV.UK's expenses guidance will help you adjust.
Your visibility
A proper business address makes it easier to appear in local searches and to receive deliveries and clients without sharing your home address.
Before you act on this
This is general information, not legal, tax or insurance advice. Rules on home working, expenses and business rates are set by government and lenders, and your own mortgage, tenancy or insurance terms may differ. Check the official guidance and your own documents, and ask an accountant or broker if you are unsure.
Questions
Can I claim my unit rent as a business expense?
Rent for premises used wholly for your business is generally an allowable expense for the self-employed. GOV.UK explains allowable expenses, and an accountant can confirm how it applies to you.
Will my home insurance cover business stock?
Often it does not, or only in a limited way. Read your policy wording or ask your insurer, especially if you keep stock or tools at home or have clients visit.
How do I know what size unit I need?
List what you will store and what work you will do there, then add space to move around. Many people moving out of a spare room start with around 150 to 180 sq ft and swap later if needed.
Can I still work from home some days?
Of course. Plenty of tenants use a unit for stock, tools and client visits while doing admin at home. With 24-hour access, you can go in whenever it suits you.
What do I need to move into a Rock Factory unit?
One month's rent in advance, a security deposit equal to one month's rent, valid government-issued photo ID and a signed Direct Debit mandate. Pre-bookings get the first week free.
Sources and official guidance
- Running a business from home (GOV.UK)
- Simplified expenses: working from home (GOV.UK)
- Expenses if you're self-employed (GOV.UK)
- Business rates: overview (GOV.UK)
Prices are subject to availability. Minimum rental term: one month, then one month’s notice to leave. Electricity usage is charged separately at the supplier rate, with no markup. Business use needs prior approval. Car storage is not permitted.
