There are four main reasons for considering an Office in the Garden.

1. It obviously takes away eye sores in the house
2. Taking up space
3. We are using less and less paperwork folders nowadays, it’s all on PC !
4. You’re out the way of Pets and Kids along with their background noise!

At first glance, it may seem an expensive way to escape from the home quarters, but the advantages by far outweigh the disadvantages.
1. You can have a bit more peace and quiet
2. Work in nicer surroundings
3. Feel you are going to work and not just doing it !

If you can afford a a proper Extension, sobeit, but why not consider a simple Garden Shed conversion. You can pick up a fairly decent 9′ x 6′ Shed from around £250 upwards. All that remains is to get some electricity out there and off you go.
It also saves the costs of Surveyors plans and waiting for building application etc.

The only real threat is security, but you can extend your Alarm system if you have one or quite easily set up a separate alarm for quite low prices. Maplins sell some decently priced systems for doors and windows etc.
Security can be added to by putting a secondary wall up on the inside. Thieves don’t just break through a Shed Door, they take the wooden slates off and get in that way !!

At the end of the day, what does an Office need ? A desk top, Seat, Light, couple of shelves and a Laptop. You can probably get away with a wireless broadband connection and share your work on another computer or Printer you may still have indoors.

If it’s a small shed, heating doesn’t have to be expensive. I have a 150 watt heater under the desk which throws up well enough heat for me to be comfortable.

Tips for the Garden Home Office….

1. Don’t come in for Coffee breaks, thus boiling the Kettle every hour. Do a Thermos Flask and take that out with you.
2. Using a Laptop will only use one electrical plug, not the normal four or five that a PC Base Unit uses.
3. Better still, run it on Battery for as long as poss.
4. Have the window facing away from the house. This will save time with all the distractions !
5. Some sheds have windows which don’t open. Find a spot to make a couple of the Wooden slats hinge open. Make sure they shut secure though and disquise the fact !
6. Build a little porch cover over the door. This will prevent some weather wear and tear.
7. For security and if you can afford it, surround the Shed with shingle and make that the pathway as well. This amplifies footsteps quite well.
8. Put a large Dog Flap on the door, they won’t be absolutely sure it’s ’safe’ !

An Office in the Home is good if you have the space, but an Office in the Garden detaches work from home more and can be a very cost effective option.