Garden office advice

[Gardenroomdoom]

We are looking to put in a garden office after much deliberating about whether to move or not. Both dh and I work full time at home and struggling with the spillover into our family life of the physical aspects of work (desks, cables, screens).

Are there any types of brands of garden office people recommend? We have lots of space and would want a warm office with electrics etc.

Any lessons learnt about different companies or installation?

I used SIPs panels for the construction of mine which have really good insulation properties and make it a very quick build, then got it cedar clad with an EDPM roof. I built it on the concrete foundations of an old garage, which just needed re-levelling with a few concrete slabs. The whole build went really smoothly, the changes I would make would be to get a hard line internet connection with the electrics instead of just using WiFi boosters and extenders from the house. I also had most of my glass doors and windows South facing and it absolutley turned into a hotbox in the summer, I needed to use an awning to stop the sun hitting the glass during those months (curtains and blinds did nothing). Xx Happy to answer any questions, I didn't use a company (although I bought the SIPs shell from a company) and self managed, hiring different trades, (whilst painting and laying the quickstep flooring and skirting myself) probably saving myself £10k total, think it set me back £12 or 13k for a 6m x 2.4m office but that was back in 2019.

Make sure it’s well insulated so cool in summer and warm in winter

I also just used a 3k portable electric heater which got it warm enough in the winter, but still had to wear thick socks and slippers as the floor was pretty cold when it was freezing outside.

Thank you this is very useful..dh said wifi boosters will be fine so I will definitely relay what you said about the hard wiring of the internet. It's a concern for me as I cannot stand patchy wifi for video calls.

I was tempted to find one that will accommodate a wood burner but he's keen to use a heater. I'm worried it'll cost loads to hear when it's dec-feb.

https://supersips.uk.com/product-category/studio-kits this is the sips company I used, I customised one of their original designs, I think I used silva timber for the cedar clad but not sure if they trade anymore 😬

Think about security if you are leaving a lot of expensive equipment out there, and insurance. At least you want to have proper locks on the doors and windows, not just a simple key like a shed.

Booths garden studios are meant to be incredible! They can be bought or rented - reviews are excellent!!

Oooh yeah good point, actually its counted as an outhouse and we could only get a max of £10k insurance on outhouse contents. (That includes anything in sheds and garages not connected to the house) I was a bit naughty and probably had quite a bit more than £10k of stuff between us left overnight in there which probably would have voided the insurance. 😬

I did however have it alarmed and 3 star locks. And had a fire alarm and electrical equipment extinguisher. I also had an outside plug socket fitted too which was really useful for the lawnmower at the back of the garden.

We will definitely get it very secure. Possibly use some kind of security camera as we may want to let our eldest have sleepovers etc in it (so we don't have to hear the squealing of teenagers!) but we would want to have it set up so we knew if someone was approaching it for example.

We've seen the booths ones. Very tempted they look very easy!

I used https://okopod.com/. I have a small electric heater - plenty warm enough in winter.

There are some really good local companies that build garden offices. So really depends where in the country you are located

if an outbuilding is to be used for sleeping in, my understanding is it will need planning permission.

now, unofficially no one’s bothered for occasional use, but maybe your neighbours might object if it happens frequently?

We have one, love it! It’s office, gift and wrapping storage, ironing room, and home gym (just weights and yoga mat, no machines). In the future it might be music practice room as well! We had it built by a small landscape and building company who also brought in an electrician. It’s got a heater we can control from our phones and it’s very well insulated, and glazing doesn’t face the sun. Wired internet as far from the house.

It'd be twice a year I think. And right at the end of the garden so about 50ft away from their houses.