<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You may or may not need planning permission to build your outdoor office. This depends on a number of factors including the size and specifications of the building, how close it is to your neighbours and whether the office will be at the rear of your property.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For all garden buildings \u2013 including home offices \u2013 it\u2019s simply safer to check with your local authority before you progress. But the good news is that it tends to be relatively straightforward to get planning permission, if indeed you need it at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Size, specifications and positioning<\/em><\/strong>
<\/h4>\n\n\n\nIf your building is an \u2018incidental\u2019 one (see below) it can sometimes be put up without planning permission, providing it falls under the relevant height restrictions \u2013 which are 3m maximum height for a mono pitch roof, and 4m maximum height for a ridge roof (with the eaves at 2.5m).
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It must also be 2m away from the fence with your neighbour, unless it is less than 2.5m tall \u2013 in which case, you can have it as close to the boundary as you want. However, with an office of this height you\u2019ll struggle to squeeze in much (if any) insulation, so it could be a bit fresh in winter…
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As with all things construction-related, rules on planning can be somewhat nuanced but for more information you can read our guide on \u201chow far can you extend without planning permission<\/a>\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPrimary use of the building<\/em><\/strong>
<\/h4>\n\n\n\nThis is where the murky terminology of \u2018incidental building<\/a>\u2019 comes into play. Annoyingly, there is no hard-and-fast government definition of this \u2013 so it is up to local authorities to interpret, and you can encounter differences in opinion across the UK.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nAs a general rule, an incidental building is one which houses items and\/or activities that you wouldn\u2019t have in your main home \u2013 e.g. garden tools, outdoor furniture, sunbathing, chickens (we hope!) etc. Sheds and summer houses tend to be easy to permit, but offices can be contentious, as a primary use of business rather than leisure can change the building\u2019s classification.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think about exactly what you are after, whether that is a permanent 9-5 office setup or an occasional home working space \u2013 as this will have a big impact on the legislative roadblocks you might face. A full-time business in your garden will likely require some permission; a summerhouse that doubles up as an office sometimes may not, so consider it carefully.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our advice here: it is better to be safe than sorry, so involve your local authority in your plans from the offset. It\u2019s far more inconvenient to be told to make a retrospective application, and \u2013 if this isn\u2019t accepted \u2013 even more so to tear the building down!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other considerations<\/em><\/strong>
<\/h4>\n\n\n\nThere are several ways you can aid your attempts to get planning permission. These should be basic checkbox exercises anyway, but you need to make sure your home office building is:
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Well and tastefully designed<\/li>
- In-keeping with the style of your neighbourhood<\/li>
- Built with good quality materials<\/li>
- In a sensible position in your garden (e.g. not outside a neighbour\u2019s window!)<\/li>
- Not too big for your garden<\/li>
- Not a place for noisy or obtrusive business <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Bear in mind that if you live in a conservation area (e.g. an Area of Outstanding National Beauty, National Park, etc.) or in a listed building, then planning permission for garden offices can be harder to get \u2013 so do your research thoroughly and talk to your council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/yopa-production-wordpress-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/homeowners-hub\/uploads\/2020\/08\/garden-office-shed-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPros and cons of garden offices<\/strong>
<\/h3>\n\n\n\nNow that you understand whether you can<\/em> build the garden office of your dreams, the question is should <\/em>you. Below are some of the key considerations, both benefits and disadvantages.<\/p>\n\n\n\nUpsides<\/em><\/strong>
<\/h4>\n\n\n\nWorking from home is the fashionable future <\/em>
<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nIf the WFH revolution was already underway pre-coronavirus, lockdown has confirmed it as the \u2018new normal\u2019. Those in jobs which have the luxury of WFH will likely be doing so more often, indefinitely perhaps \u2013 so we had better get used to it.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it isn\u2019t all that bad. The commute is non-existent, you don\u2019t have to make small talk with colleagues, and you can work in your pants \u2013 what\u2019s not to like?! Plus if your office is outside the house, then it\u2019s easier to split up home vs. work life for extra peace of mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nature is good for the soul \u2013 and productivity<\/em>
<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nAnother benefit of having a home office in your garden is that you are close to nature. It may sound pretentious, but plants genuinely increase productivity \u2013 by as much as 15%, studies show.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You may find being isolated outside a far more conducive atmosphere to crunching through work efficiently. Roald Dahl famously wrote his books in his garden shed, and we\u2019ve all had that romantic vision of being a bohemian author, penning a novel in a hut in the wilderness, right?
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cheap, easy and adds value to your home<\/em>
<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nExtensions are expensive, whereas even your snazziest outdoor office can be done for less than \u00a310,000, far cheaper still if you want to go basic. Well-designed, multi-functional, high quality outdoor offices can increase the value of your home from 5-7% \u2013 but even adding 2% can cover your costs quite easily.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite all the planning permission considerations, consent is usually relatively easy to obtain. It\u2019s not hard to install a basic outdoor office once you have a green light, either \u2013 and it can be ready to house your hard-working professional self within weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/yopa-production-wordpress-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/homeowners-hub\/uploads\/2022\/01\/home-office-1024x768.jpg\")
Home offices needn’t be uninspiring shed conversions.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nDownsides<\/em><\/strong>
<\/h4>\n\n\n\nFewer creature comforts<\/em>
<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nSwapping a well-serviced, state-of-the-art office for a glorified garden shed may be a shock to the system if you\u2019re used to luxury working conditions. To make it more comfortable, try to make sure you have good insulation, and heating\/cooling systems, power and water installed.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Paying for office upkeep<\/em>
<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nAnother downside is that you can\u2019t cash in on your company\u2019s generosity \u2013 as you\u2019ll have to pay for everything, from energy and upkeep bills to tea and coffee supplies. This might not be a deal breaker, but do your sums and ensure you can afford the extra costs!
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Less professional setup<\/em>
<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nPerhaps less of a concern in this day and age, where many meetings take place online, but your garden office might not be the right place to host clients or colleagues. This may not be an issue if you\u2019re only using it temporarily\/occasionally for remote working, though.
<\/p>\n\n\n
\n \n \n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Primary use of the building<\/em><\/strong>
<\/h4>\n\n\n\nThis is where the murky terminology of \u2018incidental building<\/a>\u2019 comes into play. Annoyingly, there is no hard-and-fast government definition of this \u2013 so it is up to local authorities to interpret, and you can encounter differences in opinion across the UK.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nAs a general rule, an incidental building is one which houses items and\/or activities that you wouldn\u2019t have in your main home \u2013 e.g. garden tools, outdoor furniture, sunbathing, chickens (we hope!) etc. Sheds and summer houses tend to be easy to permit, but offices can be contentious, as a primary use of business rather than leisure can change the building\u2019s classification.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think about exactly what you are after, whether that is a permanent 9-5 office setup or an occasional home working space \u2013 as this will have a big impact on the legislative roadblocks you might face. A full-time business in your garden will likely require some permission; a summerhouse that doubles up as an office sometimes may not, so consider it carefully.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our advice here: it is better to be safe than sorry, so involve your local authority in your plans from the offset. It\u2019s far more inconvenient to be told to make a retrospective application, and \u2013 if this isn\u2019t accepted \u2013 even more so to tear the building down!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other considerations<\/em><\/strong>
<\/h4>\n\n\n\nThere are several ways you can aid your attempts to get planning permission. These should be basic checkbox exercises anyway, but you need to make sure your home office building is:
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Well and tastefully designed<\/li>
- In-keeping with the style of your neighbourhood<\/li>
- Built with good quality materials<\/li>
- In a sensible position in your garden (e.g. not outside a neighbour\u2019s window!)<\/li>
- Not too big for your garden<\/li>
- Not a place for noisy or obtrusive business <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Bear in mind that if you live in a conservation area (e.g. an Area of Outstanding National Beauty, National Park, etc.) or in a listed building, then planning permission for garden offices can be harder to get \u2013 so do your research thoroughly and talk to your council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPros and cons of garden offices<\/strong>
<\/h3>\n\n\n\nNow that you understand whether you can<\/em> build the garden office of your dreams, the question is should <\/em>you. Below are some of the key considerations, both benefits and disadvantages.<\/p>\n\n\n\nUpsides<\/em><\/strong>
<\/h4>\n\n\n\nWorking from home is the fashionable future <\/em>
<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nIf the WFH revolution was already underway pre-coronavirus, lockdown has confirmed it as the \u2018new normal\u2019. Those in jobs which have the luxury of WFH will likely be doing so more often, indefinitely perhaps \u2013 so we had better get used to it.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it isn\u2019t all that bad. The commute is non-existent, you don\u2019t have to make small talk with colleagues, and you can work in your pants \u2013 what\u2019s not to like?! Plus if your office is outside the house, then it\u2019s easier to split up home vs. work life for extra peace of mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nature is good for the soul \u2013 and productivity<\/em>
<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nAnother benefit of having a home office in your garden is that you are close to nature. It may sound pretentious, but plants genuinely increase productivity \u2013 by as much as 15%, studies show.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You may find being isolated outside a far more conducive atmosphere to crunching through work efficiently. Roald Dahl famously wrote his books in his garden shed, and we\u2019ve all had that romantic vision of being a bohemian author, penning a novel in a hut in the wilderness, right?
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cheap, easy and adds value to your home<\/em>
<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nExtensions are expensive, whereas even your snazziest outdoor office can be done for less than \u00a310,000, far cheaper still if you want to go basic. Well-designed, multi-functional, high quality outdoor offices can increase the value of your home from 5-7% \u2013 but even adding 2% can cover your costs quite easily.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite all the planning permission considerations, consent is usually relatively easy to obtain. It\u2019s not hard to install a basic outdoor office once you have a green light, either \u2013 and it can be ready to house your hard-working professional self within weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHome offices needn’t be uninspiring shed conversions.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nDownsides<\/em><\/strong>
<\/h4>\n\n\n\nFewer creature comforts<\/em>
<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nSwapping a well-serviced, state-of-the-art office for a glorified garden shed may be a shock to the system if you\u2019re used to luxury working conditions. To make it more comfortable, try to make sure you have good insulation, and heating\/cooling systems, power and water installed.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Paying for office upkeep<\/em>
<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nAnother downside is that you can\u2019t cash in on your company\u2019s generosity \u2013 as you\u2019ll have to pay for everything, from energy and upkeep bills to tea and coffee supplies. This might not be a deal breaker, but do your sums and ensure you can afford the extra costs!
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Less professional setup<\/em>
<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nPerhaps less of a concern in this day and age, where many meetings take place online, but your garden office might not be the right place to host clients or colleagues. This may not be an issue if you\u2019re only using it temporarily\/occasionally for remote working, though.
<\/p>\n\n\n
\n \n \n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a general rule, an incidental building is one which houses items and\/or activities that you wouldn\u2019t have in your main home \u2013 e.g. garden tools, outdoor furniture, sunbathing, chickens (we hope!) etc. Sheds and summer houses tend to be easy to permit, but offices can be contentious, as a primary use of business rather than leisure can change the building\u2019s classification.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think about exactly what you are after, whether that is a permanent 9-5 office setup or an occasional home working space \u2013 as this will have a big impact on the legislative roadblocks you might face. A full-time business in your garden will likely require some permission; a summerhouse that doubles up as an office sometimes may not, so consider it carefully.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our advice here: it is better to be safe than sorry, so involve your local authority in your plans from the offset. It\u2019s far more inconvenient to be told to make a retrospective application, and \u2013 if this isn\u2019t accepted \u2013 even more so to tear the building down!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other considerations<\/em><\/strong>
<\/h4>\n\n\n\nThere are several ways you can aid your attempts to get planning permission. These should be basic checkbox exercises anyway, but you need to make sure your home office building is:
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Well and tastefully designed<\/li>
- In-keeping with the style of your neighbourhood<\/li>
- Built with good quality materials<\/li>
- In a sensible position in your garden (e.g. not outside a neighbour\u2019s window!)<\/li>
- Not too big for your garden<\/li>
- Not a place for noisy or obtrusive business <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Bear in mind that if you live in a conservation area (e.g. an Area of Outstanding National Beauty, National Park, etc.) or in a listed building, then planning permission for garden offices can be harder to get \u2013 so do your research thoroughly and talk to your council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPros and cons of garden offices<\/strong>
<\/h3>\n\n\n\nNow that you understand whether you can<\/em> build the garden office of your dreams, the question is should <\/em>you. Below are some of the key considerations, both benefits and disadvantages.<\/p>\n\n\n\nUpsides<\/em><\/strong>
<\/h4>\n\n\n\nWorking from home is the fashionable future <\/em>
<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nIf the WFH revolution was already underway pre-coronavirus, lockdown has confirmed it as the \u2018new normal\u2019. Those in jobs which have the luxury of WFH will likely be doing so more often, indefinitely perhaps \u2013 so we had better get used to it.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it isn\u2019t all that bad. The commute is non-existent, you don\u2019t have to make small talk with colleagues, and you can work in your pants \u2013 what\u2019s not to like?! Plus if your office is outside the house, then it\u2019s easier to split up home vs. work life for extra peace of mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nature is good for the soul \u2013 and productivity<\/em>
<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nAnother benefit of having a home office in your garden is that you are close to nature. It may sound pretentious, but plants genuinely increase productivity \u2013 by as much as 15%, studies show.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You may find being isolated outside a far more conducive atmosphere to crunching through work efficiently. Roald Dahl famously wrote his books in his garden shed, and we\u2019ve all had that romantic vision of being a bohemian author, penning a novel in a hut in the wilderness, right?
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cheap, easy and adds value to your home<\/em>
<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nExtensions are expensive, whereas even your snazziest outdoor office can be done for less than \u00a310,000, far cheaper still if you want to go basic. Well-designed, multi-functional, high quality outdoor offices can increase the value of your home from 5-7% \u2013 but even adding 2% can cover your costs quite easily.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite all the planning permission considerations, consent is usually relatively easy to obtain. It\u2019s not hard to install a basic outdoor office once you have a green light, either \u2013 and it can be ready to house your hard-working professional self within weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHome offices needn’t be uninspiring shed conversions.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nDownsides<\/em><\/strong>
<\/h4>\n\n\n\nFewer creature comforts<\/em>
<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nSwapping a well-serviced, state-of-the-art office for a glorified garden shed may be a shock to the system if you\u2019re used to luxury working conditions. To make it more comfortable, try to make sure you have good insulation, and heating\/cooling systems, power and water installed.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Paying for office upkeep<\/em>
<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nAnother downside is that you can\u2019t cash in on your company\u2019s generosity \u2013 as you\u2019ll have to pay for everything, from energy and upkeep bills to tea and coffee supplies. This might not be a deal breaker, but do your sums and ensure you can afford the extra costs!
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Less professional setup<\/em>
<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nPerhaps less of a concern in this day and age, where many meetings take place online, but your garden office might not be the right place to host clients or colleagues. This may not be an issue if you\u2019re only using it temporarily\/occasionally for remote working, though.
<\/p>\n\n\n
\n \n \n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bear in mind that if you live in a conservation area (e.g. an Area of Outstanding National Beauty, National Park, etc.) or in a listed building, then planning permission for garden offices can be harder to get \u2013 so do your research thoroughly and talk to your council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that you understand whether you can<\/em> build the garden office of your dreams, the question is should <\/em>you. Below are some of the key considerations, both benefits and disadvantages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Working from home is the fashionable future <\/em> If the WFH revolution was already underway pre-coronavirus, lockdown has confirmed it as the \u2018new normal\u2019. Those in jobs which have the luxury of WFH will likely be doing so more often, indefinitely perhaps \u2013 so we had better get used to it. And it isn\u2019t all that bad. The commute is non-existent, you don\u2019t have to make small talk with colleagues, and you can work in your pants \u2013 what\u2019s not to like?! Plus if your office is outside the house, then it\u2019s easier to split up home vs. work life for extra peace of mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nature is good for the soul \u2013 and productivity<\/em> Another benefit of having a home office in your garden is that you are close to nature. It may sound pretentious, but plants genuinely increase productivity \u2013 by as much as 15%, studies show. You may find being isolated outside a far more conducive atmosphere to crunching through work efficiently. Roald Dahl famously wrote his books in his garden shed, and we\u2019ve all had that romantic vision of being a bohemian author, penning a novel in a hut in the wilderness, right? Cheap, easy and adds value to your home<\/em> Extensions are expensive, whereas even your snazziest outdoor office can be done for less than \u00a310,000, far cheaper still if you want to go basic. Well-designed, multi-functional, high quality outdoor offices can increase the value of your home from 5-7% \u2013 but even adding 2% can cover your costs quite easily. Despite all the planning permission considerations, consent is usually relatively easy to obtain. It\u2019s not hard to install a basic outdoor office once you have a green light, either \u2013 and it can be ready to house your hard-working professional self within weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fewer creature comforts<\/em> Swapping a well-serviced, state-of-the-art office for a glorified garden shed may be a shock to the system if you\u2019re used to luxury working conditions. To make it more comfortable, try to make sure you have good insulation, and heating\/cooling systems, power and water installed. Paying for office upkeep<\/em> Another downside is that you can\u2019t cash in on your company\u2019s generosity \u2013 as you\u2019ll have to pay for everything, from energy and upkeep bills to tea and coffee supplies. This might not be a deal breaker, but do your sums and ensure you can afford the extra costs! Less professional setup<\/em> Perhaps less of a concern in this day and age, where many meetings take place online, but your garden office might not be the right place to host clients or colleagues. This may not be an issue if you\u2019re only using it temporarily\/occasionally for remote working, though.<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPros and cons of garden offices<\/strong>
<\/h3>\n\n\n\nUpsides<\/em><\/strong>
<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\nDownsides<\/em><\/strong>
<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n
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