Options of better wording to visit clients at THEIR home

[daikatana]

Hey guys

I've had clients requesting to come over to discuss wedding packages and look at my work. However since its a home-based business i've always been declining and insist on visiting them instead.
The reasons I give is because we have kids running around and lots of photog stuff and therefore not a good idea.

Are there better and 'professional' way/wording to politely say 'no I don't like clients coming over I prefer to visit your home instead?'

Thanks

[Zansho]

why not just meet them at some neutral site?

[tim]

"I work out of my home, i'm happy to meet you either at your place or at xyz cafe".

[alexanderGARDNER]

My opinion on this is to offer to meet them at their place or at an agreed location.

Plan out what areas you wish to cover and scout out locations (Cafe, lounge, coffe/book store etc) that you can suggest and feel comfortable with. For example, here in Melbourne I live in the South East about 60KM from the city. I know of a few places within 10 KM of home that I'm comfortable meeting at and about 8 different locations around the city and around the bay that I'm willing to travel to that I know are easy to get to and find parking for and that are mutually beneficial to potential clients.

I would not bring clients home until I have a dedicated studio/office area built that could serve walk ins.

[Zansho]

Also, there another thing you have to keep in mind. If you plan on making your home the place where you meet your clients and whatnot, and do the majority of your business - you'll have to get your home up to code - meaning handicap access, handicap bathrooms, things of that nature. I've a friend who did that, and was informed by the city he has to have the things in place before he could open for business at his home.

[NJPHOTOshop]

I recently was going to buy a Laser Engraver (about $8,000) and the dealer invited me to his home office. He had three kids under 5; the 24 month old tossed a crumbly wet cookie and his dirty daiper right into the open system ....... not only were the lenses and belts hopelessly soiled, I started gagging and almost threw-up (it smelt worse than stepping in dog doo - especially in such a small apartment). I felt awful for this young fellow but you can't do business in such an environment.

[RDKirk]

You want to express it in terms of being an extra service you provide--something you do for their convenience.

They may not want you to come to their home (maybe it's messy), in which case you'd offer to meet them somewhere close to their work locations--just emphasize you want to maximize their convenience and keep them from having to go out of their way.

If you're going to do engagement photographs, for instance, you might suggest meeting at that location so that part of the meeting can be spent discussing the session.

[jgoodstein]

"I work out of my home, i'm happy to meet you either at your place or at xyz cafe".

I agree with Tim. If you want something a little more professional then Starbucks, many Kinko's have office/conference rooms to rent out at an affordable hourly rate. I also came to an agreement with a friend that has a conference room at his office and if available I use that. It's nice because it has big screens and projectors and what not to assist with portfolio displays and such.