More people are choosing to work from the comfort of their homes these days. The Internet makes it possible to do “remote” work by using online resources. Of course, when one is working from home, they need some peace and quiet. That seldom happens in a house full of lively children!
To avoid working from the office, many home workers decide to build a home office. This is usually an annexe to their homes, such as an extension or a conservatory. But, more people prefer to build office space that is not attached to their property.
One obvious solution is to buy a shed of sorts and use that as one’s office space. Another viable prospect is to convert an old outbuilding such as a coal shed. Today, I am going to give you a primer on how you can achieve the latter.
To renovate or rebuild – that is the question!
If you’ve got an outbuilding, chances are it’s in a poor state of repair. In the UK, outbuildings typically got used as toilets or coal sheds. Towards the latter half of the 20th century, their use became storage areas. Nowadays, many lay crumbling and in desperate need of attention.
First of all, you need to assess whether your outbuilding needs some simple renovation or not. If the latter is true, you’ll need to demolish the entire structure and start from scratch. This blog post will assume that you can still “save” your existing structure.
Stripping it back to a bare shell
The first thing you need to do is strip the outbuilding so that it is nothing more than bricks and mortar. This includes removing the roof structure. Why? There are several reasons. First, you can avoid the risk of damp and mould problems penetrating the outbuilding.
Second, you can determine if any of the brickwork needs repointing. And, third, it makes it easier to install door and window frames.
Before you begin, get the outbuilding tested for asbestos. The last thing you want is for your new office space to literally kill you! Asbestos surveys are reasonable in price and a good investment for your health.
If your outbuilding got made before 2000, it will have some asbestos materials. You can then decide whether to leave them and build around them or have them removed. Asbestos isn’t dangerous if it is not disturbed.
Design your new office space
Next, you need to think about where electrical points, doors and windows will go. You may wish to consider getting a solar panel installed on the roof and use “green” energy for your needs.
Ensure that the foundation is solid and that there is no evidence of subsidence. Once you’ve designed your new office, you can then have a builder turn your plans into reality.
Insulation
It’s likely you’ll spend a lot of time working from your outbuilding. Make sure that the right insulation gets installed during the renovation process. Consider getting triple-glazed doors and windows installed.
Security
Last, but not least, use a five-lever lock system for your door. And have windows installed with locks on them. The last thing you want is for someone to steal your equipment needed for work.
Thanks for reading this blog post. See you later!