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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to spend £20k+ on a garden office?

110 replies

SpeckledFrogsLog · 09/07/2021 14:29

We need an extra room as DH is going to be full time WFH from now on. At the moment he's in the spare bedroom but it's not very big and there's a lot of background noise when the kids are home. We don't want to turn the spare room into an office as MIL is in poor health and we like to have her stay with us for her safety (and our sanity!) when she's going through a bad patch.

We've looked at moving but would be spending £150k to get the same sort of living space elsewhere with an extra room. We live in a large 4 bed semi so we'd have to upsize to a detached.

We've had a quote on a composite garden room. It really is beautiful-all insulted and totally maintenance free but it's coming in at just over £20k Shock We can afford it but I'm totally torn as it seems such a lot of money to spend on what is essentially a posh shed! But we've looked at the cheaper timber options and are concerned about security, insulation and maintenance.

So AIBU to spend this on a garden office? Has anyone else done it and have good or bad experiences? Help me decide please!!

OP posts:
Pigtailsandall · 09/07/2021 16:27

I'd totally do this if I could afford it!

Wombat36 · 09/07/2021 16:28

There's a company called Baker's that post videos of their latest garden buildings and they look fab. Too far south for us to enquire but I'd love one. I'd say it would add value to your house too.

Nancydrawn · 09/07/2021 16:31

@TatianaBis

employers are basically forcing their employees to subsidise their working lives. Huge cost savings for employers that they've just transferred over to their workforce.

I know - they save truckloads of money in rent - I think companies should be more generous with their grants to help employees set up for home working.

Exactly--or raise wages.

Everyone's like, tra-la-la, how nice to be able to go for a walk at lunch, but in reality employers no longer have to pay for rent, utilities, office supplies, etc. and force their employees pay for it instead, while couching it as a benefit!

And this in a country with comparatively tiny houses and very good public transport. It's madness.

PearlclutchersInc · 09/07/2021 16:32

If I could I would in a heartbeat; fed up of my spare room having been taken over by desks and office chairs, printers and a ton of paperwork (cos I'm too lazy and dont have the time to shred it).

Love WFH (mostly) but would just love to have a spare bit of space.

Cheerfulcharlie · 09/07/2021 16:45

@TiddleTaddleTat

Interested in this. We have a garage we'd like to convert. Biggest annoyance is digging up concrete drive and laying water pipes. Would want a toilet, shower, kitchenette so can use as a guest bedsit in future: it's a massive garage. Wondering if we could do much of the internal fit out ourselves as limited budget. If you could afford it I'd definitely do it.
If you have a proper bathroom with shower and kitchenette you would need to apply for planning permisison as this changes it from being ancillary to the house to a potential separate dwelling. You could just about get away with a WC and tea point (sink, fridge & kettle) though.
TiddleTaddleTat · 09/07/2021 16:55

@Cheerfulcharlie ah really? I'm sure the architect we consulted with said that a shower would be OK without planning permission. Kitchenette would literally be a kettle and sink.

coulditbecominghome · 09/07/2021 16:59

employers are basically forcing their employees to subsidise their working lives. Huge cost savings for employers that they've just transferred over to their workforce.

I know - they save truckloads of money in rent - I think companies should be more generous with their grants to help employees set up for home working.

Exactly, that's why I've been confused by some of the criticisms levelled at remote workers. Big companies are saving £££££

Cheerfulcharlie · 09/07/2021 17:00

[quote TiddleTaddleTat]@Cheerfulcharlie ah really? I'm sure the architect we consulted with said that a shower would be OK without planning permission. Kitchenette would literally be a kettle and sink. [/quote]
Maybe it's different depending on what planning district you're in? This is what I was told by the planning department in my borough last year. I would definitely check with the planning authorities rather than relying on an architect though.

GalacticDragonfly · 09/07/2021 17:02

We’ve got a shower room in ours. It needed buildings regs approval for the drainage stuff, but we didn’t need planning permission. We were advised we would need to apply for retrospective planning permission if we were ever going to use it as a permanent bedroom space, but not if it’s an office.

Cheerfulcharlie · 09/07/2021 17:03

Might be an idea not to refer to the kettle and sink a kitchenette - that should just be 'tea point' to the planning authorities. Kitchenette implies you could do some cooking.

LeroyJenkinssss · 09/07/2021 17:04

We’ve got one and my mom uses it to wfh (my parents live with us in a granny annex). It is lovely but in the summer it is hot and so we had one of those air conditioner /heaters put in which has made it perfect.

Definitely worth the investment!

bathorshower · 09/07/2021 17:11

It would cost more than £20k to move house, surely, once you factor in survey, solicitor's fees, removal costs, stamp duty etc. And that's without factoring in the the cost of a bigger property. You'll definitely be better off spending that on a home office.

justasmalltownmum · 09/07/2021 17:14

We have one, it's great.

The wooden ones are more upkeep and colder in the winter/ hotter in the summer.

Lilypansy · 09/07/2021 17:18

Home offices are the way to go. Far too many people have had to work in kitchens, bedrooms etc and WFH will become ever more popular. Definitely, if you can afford it and have the space, do it.

Reenskar · 09/07/2021 17:22

If anyone is DIY minded in your family you can actually buy plans for one somewhere- my friend did this. It told you everything you needed to build it. Cost about 5k all in, apart from electrician as they were able to do that themselves

Fluffycloudland77 · 09/07/2021 17:23

I can’t see why you wouldn’t, his job helps pay bills & it will be a feature when you move.

igelkott2021 · 09/07/2021 17:27

They're not just offices so shouldn't be looked at as an employer neglecting their obligations. We have a sofa-chair in ours so in theory someone could sleep in it. I also keep my gym mat/kettle bells etc in it. As a pp said, it' can also be used as a great hang-out for teens and of course can be used to work in as well. We don't have a sink or anything in ours, but we're only a few steps from the back door of the house and there's a loo by the door.

newnortherner111 · 09/07/2021 17:31

Are you 100% sure it will be wfh for good, or once the pandemic is over or say a change of boss, could it end or be restricted?

Blossomtoes · 09/07/2021 17:35

@TatianaBis

employers are basically forcing their employees to subsidise their working lives. Huge cost savings for employers that they've just transferred over to their workforce.

I know - they save truckloads of money in rent - I think companies should be more generous with their grants to help employees set up for home working.

The employee is saving commuting costs and gaining several hours a week. It works both ways.
CovidCorvid · 09/07/2021 17:35

I had this dilemma and have just spent what will total about 6 k inc electrics for one. I decided against the superduper expensive ones.

I've chosen a thick wooden cabin, with insulated roof and floor. Cost about 5k I think inc putting it together and the base. Electrics is another 1k (I have a very long garden to run the electrics down).

This is the company I'm using and so far, so good.

www.cabinsunlimited.co.uk/

It's getting installed in about 8 weeks. The firm say they use the same cabin for their office and with a heater it's warm enough all year round. It's double glazed, has a proper locking door.

TiddleTaddleTat · 09/07/2021 17:37

@Cheerfulcharlie thanks , I will check with planning here

LongTimeMammaBear · 09/07/2021 18:38

I think you’ll find if you go to show rooms (show village I think they call them) to walk around and have a good look, these are far from a posh shed. We have had one built snd with its own modem plus extra lighting and outlets, composite decking, came in at £24k for a 6m x 4m building. We called in an estate agent before doing so and asked or opinion on either this option or garage conversion. Given how many people will now be WFH for the long term, were advised this was better option for increasing value of our home and saleability.

TatianaBis · 09/07/2021 18:47

The employee is saving commuting costs and gaining several hours a week. It works both ways

Entirely depends where they live. Not everyone commutes, not everyone’s journey costs a great deal.

In London you might save 2500 a year on travel if you worked entirely from home, but if you need to build an office or upsize it would cost a great deal more.

TillyTopper · 09/07/2021 18:56

If you can afford it YANBU. Just insure it's well insulated for the winter so DP doesn't get cold!

DedalusBloom · 09/07/2021 19:24

Here's mine: cost 10,000 5 years ago and I love it. Has lighting electrics and heating. It's been an absolute godsend.

AIBU to spend £20k+ on a garden office?