Question Abut Office Space - Polygraph Place Bulletin Board

Thanks for stopping by our bulletin board.
Please take just a moment to register so you can post your own questions
and reply to topics. It is free and takes only a minute to register. Just click on the register link

Polygraph Place Bulletin Board

Professional Issues - Private Forum for Examiners ONLY

Question Abut Office Space

profile | register | preferences | faq | search

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Author	Topic: Question Abut Office Space
Polybob Member	posted 06-05-2008 01:35 PM My question to the group here is - what type of office space or set up do the private examiners have. I am a private examiner and retired LE. I grew up in polygraph in law enforcement and there I had a private office and a private exam suite. I have been in private practice about 6 years. When I retired most of the private examiners I talked to ran their business out of their home and conducted all tests in lawyers offices, probation/parole offices, therapist office or jail/prison. Some even used a small motel conference room when necessary. I elected to rent office space however all I got was a one room office. I furnished it with my necessary furniture and the poly chair. It seems to work out OK however I would really like to expand to space that includes one office, the exam room and a small reception area. The goal is to have a seperate exam room. Of course this needs to be balanced out with the rent increase and the economy. With all that having been said - what type of office setup do you private examiners have and how does it work out for you? IP: Logged
wjallen Member	posted 06-05-2008 06:42 PM Polybob I lease a small office, two rooms plus restroom and walk-in storage area. When I travel, I look for office space for rent by the day on the internet. I use motel conference as a last resort. If you are ever on I-10 take exit 23B and have a look. IP: Logged
Ted Todd Member	posted 06-05-2008 10:36 PM Polybob, Image is everything. So is quality. Just about every private polygraph office I have ever been in was a shit hole ! When I opened my own, I decided mine would never be that way. I share a large atrium waiting area with several law firms. My suite consists of a conference room and two private testing suites. Both have modern exam chairs and not old Lazy Boys that I found sitting out at the curb. The building is quiet, has plenty of parking, four restrooms and water views all around. The waiting area includes liquid refreshments for clients. I have never conducted a test in a motel room, locker room, stock room or employee lounge. I would rather turn down the exam than do it that way. Rent IS a cost of doing business. If you do it right, you may be able to find a family counselor or the like that would be willing to split the tab. Don't forget to factor in insurance and utilities. If I were as smart as Stat or Ray, I would post some pics for you but I am not that good with the computer. My total "Testing Lab" expense is less than 10% of my monthly gross. I don't know if this is high or low but it is working well for me. Hope this helps! Ted [This message has been edited by Ted Todd (edited 06-05-2008).] IP: Logged
Taylor Member	posted 06-06-2008 09:06 AM I run my exams at the location of the requestor - the offices of the PO, TX, LE agency. On the rare occasion that I test someone that doesn't fit in this mold I use a rent-a-conference room at a business complex. I personally would not use a motel room or motor home; we had a discussion on this a while back if you check the previous threads. This is my way of doing business to keep my overhead down. Plus, when a parolee needs to be detained after an admission on an exam I just have to open the door and the jurisdiction is there. LE agencies also have quiet conference rooms - this way I can review the application and talk to the BI before the exam. BTW, I am jealous of Teds office...... IP: Logged
stat Member	posted 06-06-2008 09:27 AM I have rented upwards of 5 offices at a time. Quiet, simple, 1 rm offices. I won't pay more than 200 a month and I will only do month to month. The secret is to find hungry realastate. My last home office was an 18th florr high rise that was so desperate for tenants that I was empowered to jockey for free high speed internet and free parking garage space. The building was desperate to fill offices. That's the key. I won't even glance at a building that is capacity. In today's market, there should be plenty of such buildings-----check your local starving mall districts---you know, that office building near the "old mall" that was ruined by the newer malls. I did however get my start at an ABCDE facility----American Business Center for Developing Enterprise (small business incubator.) I wouldn't stay long at those places, but they certainly can help with getting started with free furniture and things like faxes and whatnot. Warning---I always felt screwed over by those that would rent you an office by the day----say 75$---as you can get so much more for an entire month for just a little more $. "Day renters" are not cost effective unless you are desperate for a quickie test. p.s. Don't tell your leasers that you'll be seeing sex offenders per se. It's not a bargaining weapon in you're favor, and it's not your responsibility to tell them unless there is imminent danger to surrounding facilities. IP: Logged
Ted Todd Member	posted 06-06-2008 10:07 AM Stat You make a great point about the clients showing up at the office. 90% of mine are LE Applicants. They show up in business attire (suit and tie) and call everybody "Sir" or "Mam". My landlord love me! Ted IP: Logged
rnelson Member	posted 06-06-2008 12:11 PM Funny. My clients sometimes show up in orange jumpsuits and shackles. They too call everybody "sir" or "ma'am." I had to vacate an office last year when 8 police officers arrested a client (not in a jumpsuit) with weapons drawn while leaving after an exam - right about the time a hospital was purchasing the building. r ------------------ "Gentlemen, you can't fight in here. This is the war room." --(Stanley Kubrick/Peter Sellers - Dr. Strangelove, 1964) IP: Logged

All times are PT (US)	next newest topic \| next oldest topic
Administrative Options: Close Topic \| Archive/Move \| Delete Topic
	Hop to:

Contact Us | The Polygraph Place