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  Lara Warner July 19, 2008 at 4:50pm

  We bought a second hand hardwood consevatory off the ebay and with the blocks for the walls the whole thing cost less than £800.00 and its 7m x 4m. Just waiting now for work to slow down long enough for the lads to have time to put it up for me! I hate paying out for tradesmen when we can "DIY" it but otherwise I fear it may be Christmas before it goes up!
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  Phil Voice July 19, 2008 at 5:09pm

  Kerrie
  
  Why not contact Alex at Shedworking - he knows a thing or two about home offices and sheds.
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  Alex July 20, 2008 at 9:32am

  Yes, at the risk of appalling immodesty, Shedworking (www.shedworking.co.uk) is the only site which has a complete list of garden office suppliers and (gradually) reviews of each of them. If you have any particular needs or types of design you're interested in I'd be happy to offer some free advice (unless you want to pay me). You might also be interested in the free bimonthly magazine The Shed which I produce for shedworkers and people who work in shedlike atmospheres.
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  Kerrie John-The garden design Co July 20, 2008 at 9:50am

  Hi Alex
  I took Phil's advice and visited your web site which is great. Now fallen in love with the glass house which I can't afford!
  
  Although wanting a contemporary glass space for its aesthetic appeal, it would sit uncomfortably in our garden as we live in an old house (well that's what I'm saying to stop wanting one).
  
  The Lugarde Daisy is great, but too big, so think I have settled on the Tugby.
  
  In your experience, how far from the house is best to site a home office assuming that it has phone, electric and hopefully a loo. Think it has to be 5mts from the main building, is that right?
  
  Any advice would be welcome.
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  Alex July 20, 2008 at 6:37pm

  You do need to think carefully about the siting (worth having a quick word with the local building folk at the council to check about any distances, etc,). My immediate thought is 'as far away from the house as possible' to minimise distractions and not chop up your garden too much, but it does largely depend on what size and shape garden - and ditto garden office - you have. I don't have a big garden so there was no discussion, it was plonked down at the back end.
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  Kerrie John-The garden design Co July 20, 2008 at 7:55pm

  Thanks Alex
  
  I was thinking 'down the end' as I could landscape the garden so that the building would be just visible through planting. On a personal note, it would stop me 'popping' into the house to find something other than work to do, especially in winter if it is a bit cold in the 'shed'!!
  
  Will check out distances + with the council. Underfloor heating - good idea?
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  Phil Voice September 25, 2012 at 4:33pm

  Kerrie

  Did you get a home office in the end?
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  Charles Langford September 26, 2012 at 1:01pm

  Hi Kerrie.

  Just a word of advice be careful with your Council. I spoke to my local Council about erecting a building in my garden to use as an office for my business mainly because I wanted to put a toilet in it. They informed me that even though the dimensions, proximity to borders etc.. did not require planning I would need to apply for a certificate of lawfulness to change the use from domestic to commercial. I was informed that they would be inclined to decline this application. I pointed out that if I used a room in my house the HMRC would let me include part of my electric bill etc.. within my accounts so not being able to use an outbuilding seemed ridiculous. The planning officer agreed with me but said it is illegal to use a building on your grounds as an office unless it has commercial use attached. I was amazed. He concurred with me that there are thousands of sole trader accountants / architects etc... all using sheds / outbuildings etc in their gardens but apparently they are all doing so illegally.
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  Kerrie John-The garden design Co September 26, 2012 at 7:28pm

  Hi

  We went to planning for a studio attached to the house with a shower room so we can use it as more accommodation when all the children are here. Found that off the peg buildings tend to be very expensive and poor quality on the whole.
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  carol miers February 6, 2013 at 11:02am

  Hello Kerrie
  Do you now have a garden office and which one have you gone for? Carol