Because it was less common during the 90’s, I had co-workers call me during the day and apologize for “bothering me” at home, but we got over that. I found that it is important to set aside a special work area apart from your normal at-home space, and to develop the mindset that you are working first, not when time allows. The best advice I can give is to over-deliver. This is especially importantly until you’ve developed the trust of all involved. I also frequently log in or answer mail at odd hours (very early and very late, and over weekends) to re-enforce the perception that I’m just as involved as those who go to the office every day.

I also second the notion not to get involved in home-related things such as repairs and errands. But, I would encourage taking time for out for the tasks that you would leave the office for, anyway. In those cases, I make it clear that I’m doing so and also that I’ve made up the time.

I’m now CTO at a social networking company and managing partner for technology at an online registration software company. I set up a virtual office environment at both companies, and it’s worked very well, at least for those who play by the rules I’ve outlined above and in this article.

I definitely agree that I actually do work more when I’m at home though, mostly because of the pressures I put on myself to perform well so that I can continue to work from home (as stated in this article). I haven’t run into the phone problem because I’m not really freelancing, so I rarely get client calls. Working from home is a blessing, and I want to make sure I keep the privilege. I’m not sure how things will play out when the baby gets here, but that’s a different story…

The most common “difficulty” I have is my wife coming home in the afternoon and saying something like, “I worked hard all day and I’m tired. You take ____ to piano; and ____ to violin; and go to the grocery store; and put gas in the car; and return the library books. Oh, and since you’re not busy, I need the garden tilled for spring.”

She doesn’t realize that I not only worked a full day in the office, my other employer expects me to put in a full day’s work in the evening. I can’t spare the time to run errands, yet she thinks that I’m home, so I’m available.

So I resist doing the errands and it backfires. If I leave my home office to get a snack or use the toilet, she accuses me of not working. “See, you weren’t busy after all!”

Phones? Get caller ID and screen the incoming calls. If you were at work you wouldn’t be at home to answer calls from family and friends anyway, so just don’t pick up! They’ll leave a message (or get the message).

An answering machine! Get a second phone if you have to, or have a different ringtone for friends.