Running Your Small Business from Your Garden Office offers several advantages. Chief among them is eliminating the commute, which can be stressful on both body and mind.
Second, having a separate work area from home helps create a clear distinction between work and non-work activities, thus helping minimize distractions such as family and television programs.
Getting Started
As soon as you decide what kind of business you will start up, the first step should be identifying its type and setting up its structure accordingly. You must decide whether your venture should be treated as a separate company or simply an extension of your home; this choice has important tax ramifications and may need to be registered with business rates authorities and inspected by building control in order to meet health and safety regulations.
Once you know exactly what it is that you want to accomplish, the next step should be laying out the space for that activity. You can do this using software and should experiment with different layouts until finding one that is best suited to your business needs – any garden office supplier should also provide guidance.
Remote working arrangements offer those with access to high-speed internet a powerful opportunity for building successful small businesses. Recent research shows that working from home increases productivity by up to 13% while saving both time and money from not having to commute – something especially valuable for busy families with young children and other obligations.
When setting up a home office, cost considerations are an integral component. When gathering quotes from various suppliers for home offices such as Cabin Master garden offices with phone lines and heating included as standard features, cost should also be factored in carefully.
Before embarking on any venture, it is essential that you identify all costs that need to be covered, and any possible taxes that could apply. For instance, running your business from home may allow you to claim back some or all of the electricity and gas bills; or perhaps the costs associated with broadband connections can even be claimed back as tax deductions.
Start-up companies operating from garden offices offer many advantages for those wanting to work from home. It can be more cost-effective than renting office space and can increase productivity; plus it gives workers flexibility and ease of access.
Planning Permission
Garden offices usually don’t require planning permission if you aren’t building them on listed or conservation areas and/or using it for less than 50% of your home size, provided it does not exceed 50%. You should still consult with your local authority as planning rules can differ widely.
Garden offices can add significant value and use of otherwise wasted spaces in the garden. As designed to be work spaces, garden offices come fully insulated with double-glazed windows, electricity sockets and lockable doors – this will reduce heating bills significantly.
Reduce your carbon footprint and be on hand when deliveries come calling; stay abreast of deliveries by keeping an eye out for deliveries so they arrive without fail! If running a business out of a garden office with rental charges attached, business rates may apply; self-employed or contractor workers can declare it for tax purposes and claim small business rate relief.
Some companies allow employees to work from home, and if you choose this option, be sure to inform your insurance provider of any new garden office. Failing to do so could invalidate your policies. Your employer may even offer loans like season ticket loans that allow you to cover the cost. Doing this may help lower your overall income tax bill.
If your garden office is used solely for work five days a week, Capital Gains Tax (CGT) should likely not apply when selling the house in question. If, however, it serves both personal and professional uses then your situation becomes more complicated; please speak to a financial adviser regarding it before making your decision.
Building
One of the many advantages of a garden office is being able to work uninterrupted by family or TV programs – which can make you more productive while simultaneously relieving stress levels.
However, before using your garden building as an office it’s essential to ascertain whether your property insurance will provide coverage. Your existing policy may need to treat this as an extra room or you might require taking out an individual commercial home business policy for this particular space.
As part of your new garden office design process, another factor to consider is whether or not plumbing installation will be necessary. If it doubles up as accommodation space (such as home gym or granny annexe) or you require access to toilet, kitchen sink or washing machine installation systems a plumbing system must be put in place immediately during construction rather than later on; your building supplier might even offer turnkey packages that handle everything for you!
Sanctum offers a team of engineers dedicated to installing plumbing for garden offices as part of our build service, and has an outstanding track record in doing this in just two days – meaning you can begin work the following morning in your own office space!
If you decide to use your garden office as a workplace, a burglar alarm and some form of security may be essential. If renting the space out for rent or treating it as part of your house that attracts business rates charges is part of your plans, seek advice from an accountant before making a final decision.
Most garden offices are constructed sturdily and secured with doors and locks, meaning that they should be covered under your standard household insurance policies. Furthermore, if your bespoke office is situated away from the main house then many insurance providers offer separate work-from-home policies as long as it’s clear this space serves only as an individual work space rather than being an extension or conservatory of your main house.
Equipment
Working from home offers numerous advantages, not least avoiding the long morning commute which drains both time and resources. Plus you have the added flexibility of being able to access your garden office whenever and whenever necessary – providing an ideal balance between work-life and home life!
If your garden office is used solely for business, all costs such as electricity, heating, lighting and metered water usage can be fully claimed back under VAT. Furthermore, redecoration and repair expenses may also be claimed in full.
Solo entrepreneurs need to take additional steps when purchasing garden office buildings for themselves. It is advisable to buy one larger than you anticipate needing initially so as to allow your business the possibility of expanding into it if required – we have even had customers buy three offices as their business expanded!
As per your mortgage provider’s contract terms, if you plan to use your garden office as a workspace you should inform them accordingly and check your house insurance policy to see if it covers such activities as working from home as not all policies allow it.
Garden buildings often serve as office space, so for safety purposes they should all feature electrical wiring installed by a qualified electrician in order to safely power any computers or technology that may be housed there. Furthermore, insulation for temperature regulation purposes and plumbing should also be in place so you have kitchen or bathroom facilities as required.
Once everything is in place, creating the office of your dreams should be straightforward. Play around with layouts until you find one that works; decorate your garden office however suits the business type you run! Don’t be afraid to be creative!