Commissioning A Garden Office. Your Questions Answered.One of our previous clients, Sharon Burns of Warton in Lancashire, has kindly answered key questions about commissioning a garden office to help you understand the process.
Q. How did you start working with InsideOut?Initially I phoned InsideOut and talked to Lynn Fotheringham. Lynn guided me through a conversation about the size of building I might want and the budget I would need for that. Once we had explored the issues and possibilities I felt more relaxed about the whole process and I made an appointment for Lynn to come and survey the garden.
Q: What was involved in your survey?Lynn Fotheringham and Gordon Smith, InsideOut's architect both came to visit us. This visit took approximately 90 minutes of my time. We had further discussions about the design and position of my garden office and they discovered that our old garage base was suitable for using as foundations. Whilst Lynn asked Steve and I a variety of questions to help us think through what we really wanted from our building Gordon got out his surveying equipment and took lots of measurements and levels!
Q: Did the garden office need planning permission?We did need planning permission. We live in Warton in Lancashire, which is situated within a conservation area which takes in Leighton Moss Nature Reserve and other Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. However InsideOut Buildings handled the application for us.
Q:How many offices were available to choose from?Inside Out Buildings have a range of standard designs which you can order ‘off-the-peg’, or use as a starting point for your own personalised design. We chose a standard design and after discussion with InsideOut, added extra windows. We had looked at numerous companies before choosing InsideOut. The eco-friendly ethic that determines the materials and processes that Inside Out Buildings use, plus the fact that the buildings are architect-designed were the influencing factors for us. We think that it is important to make decisions wherever possible that improve or at least are not detrimental to the environment and we loved the look of their buildings and how they design and build with a conscience.
Q. How long dId it take to get your office?Because we needed planning permission it did take longer tha we had hoped. planning permission adds about ten weeks to the process, so it took four or five months in the end, but it was worth it!
Q: How did the office arrive? Who built it?All the components arrived by truck including wall panels, roofing, flooring, windows and doors and when all those bags of insulation arrived we had no idea how it would all fit into a 3m by 4m space! It was all very well co-ordinated with Gordon and Lynn from InsideOut on site to ensure all went swimmingly.InsideOut’s construction team took care of the building work. They were friendly and helpful and within a week or so we had a garden office ready to paint and move into. All the electrics were installed including the phone line. Again, all this was discussed in the early stages so all our needs were covered in the final design.
Q: What do you use your garden office for?We use our office for work and rest! I am a freelance Textile Designer, which is a job that often involves making as much mess as possible! So it is important to have a separate workspace and I go to work by walking to the top of our garden.
Q: Does your office have multiple uses?t is a workspace, but also somewhere to relax, read and doze. Because it is such a lovely, light space (there are two full length windows at the front and Velux skylights) we often use it at the weekend. It feels so versatile and inviting you can hide in there and relax with a good book. You can be in there in all seasons, in fact Steve and I have have talked about moving in there in the winter months as it is actually warmer than our house! You could use it for any purpose; it is a lovely space to be in.
Q: Do you see your garden office as a good investment?The office is definitely a worthwhile investment in terms of it fitting the purpose we need it for and in the longer term, it will make our property more desirable should we want to sell it - especially with the increase in people wanting to work from home. We are staying put though! |
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| InsideOut Buildings Ltd. The Green, Over Kellet, Lancashire, LA6 1BU t: 01524 737999 e: lynn@iobuild.co.uk - Site Map |
Hide your garden office at the bottom of the garden!
Meeting area inside an Insideout.
Hanging the French doors.
Sharon and Steve in their garden office. |
