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Garden office

10 replies

Crazyone84 · 30/11/2020 16:23

We moved into our house nearly 2 years ago. We have always talked about putting a "man cave" in the bottom of the garden for other half to have a TV and sofa for watching football, a bar for garden get-together plus a chill area to go away to for peace.

Since March, lockdown has meant other half working from home full time. We have a small set up in the spare room, (found a free desk and chair on FB) he is much happier having a space to go to to work away from the house noise and people and I don't have to tiptop around when he is on calls. It does not look like he will be back in the office any time soon and he feels once the office is opened back up he will only be there part time, possible still WFH 2-3 days a week.

We have our first baby due in January. The baby will be in our room for a few months but do plan to turn the spare room into their room from 6 months ish. It will be nice to have him at home with a new baby to help out and interact at lunchtimes, between calls etc. whereas before he'd be out of the house 7am till 7pm but trying to work from home may not be easy on any of us with noise and a new baby trying to settle into a routine.

So, end of my story I think we should start looking into options for a garden office as opposed to a "man cave"

Has anyone had a garden office installed, if so what are we looking at cost wise? and where the hell do you start? we need it to have electric but how many sockets? what type of insulation? do we plan for fixed heating or one of those oil filed radiators?

Tell me bits and bobs about your office? what did you find helpful? We aren't flush with cash so looking to budget but also don't want to go cheap as it will be used regularly and by the whole family. Not planning on moving for many many years so will be for our benefit.

OP posts:
SheWouldNever · 30/11/2020 16:33

I have all the same questions as you so will be following with interest! There seems to be so much variation on the build of these cabins.

Crazyone84 · 30/11/2020 16:35

@SheWouldNever agreed, after just a quick look online there are pre made sheds, flat packs, builders can build bespoke.......

Having lots of options is good I suppose just don't know where to start.

good luck with your fact finding too

OP posts:
NotMeNoNo · 30/11/2020 19:33

I'm in our garden office at the moment. It was about £5-6k. As far as I can see there are several options-

  • Not much more than a shed (maybe under £2k)-
  • Log cabin (£5-8k) ours is the 44mm logs with insulation in the roof and floor. Oil radiator keeps it just about OK but you need a jumper.
  • Modern cedar clad type stylish cabin with full plastered interior etc - £10k plus.
Ours is the max size without getting planning/building regs involved which is about 12m2. You need wired internet, a lit path out and a good power supply. We only have 13 amps and I have to choose between the heater and the iron when I'm sewing.

I have been working in here since March this year and I'm sure it's saved our relationship!

NotMeNoNo · 30/11/2020 19:35

this is the one we have
www.logcabinstore.co.uk/Log-cabin-store/Georgia-4-1-x-3-2m-p204331158
I don't think you'd want to go much cheaper/smaller, and higher spec would definitely be warmer and a bit more like a room.

WellTidy · 30/11/2020 19:43

Take a look at Green Retreats for basic to top end spec and space. They’re amazing, you could take ideas from there if you think they’re too pricey.

WellTidy · 30/11/2020 19:44

We have hearing and air con in ours, both of which mean that it can be used all year round. We have power to it, but no plumbing, so no loo facilities and we keep massive bottles of water down there in a little fridge to be able to make tea and coffee etc.

Crazyone84 · 01/12/2020 09:45

@NotMeNoNo great, helpful information, thank you.

Plan to have a little fridge and kettle in there but no water supply as that will be a lot of money!

OP posts:
ChristopherTracy · 01/12/2020 09:53

We have a proper one with power and wifi, double glazing etc 8x12 and all in it was 11k. It is like another room, just as well as I'm in it 10 hours a day working and at the weekend watching telly and chilling out.

Worth every penny especially as it is no maintenance and 25 year guarantee - we are very lax with wood painting etc and so knew we couldnt have a wooden one.

www.boothsgardenstudios.co.uk/

KatherineOfGaunt · 01/12/2020 09:57

We have one from Green Retreats. It's 4mx3m, fully insulated, double-glazed, big sliding door, two windows, plenty of sockets, Internet, lighting and an oil-filled radiator so it can be 18 degrees even on a cold day. It cost about £15,000 all in. Worth every penny!

DougRossIsTheBoss · 01/12/2020 10:02

We have the same one as ChristopherTracey. Similar cost.

DH has his own business and we used his coronavirus business loan 10k to get him a home office. It wasn't worth him continuing to rent one that he couldn't use due to lockdown and home schooling and it is much better for us both not having all his work crap in the house and him having some peace and quiet to work. It'll pay for itself in saves rent.

Ours is the basic version and has lighting, phone line and internet. Doesn't have heating or air con but he's got a plug in radiator and says he doesn't even need that on a lot as the insulation is good. We had to have a trench dug in the garden to wire those up which was some upheaval but not the end of the world. No plumbing or bathroom either as that costs a lot more. He just has to nip across the garden if he needs a wee.

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