If you've come across this article, you're likely weighing up the pros and cons of renting an office space versus building or buying a garden office.
Unfortunately, the answer is not straightforward and the decision is 100% subjective.
After selling hundreds of garden rooms to many different people for a number of different uses, we feel we're in a great position to advise you on the matter here at Cabin Master.
So, here we've laid out both the pros and cons of each option so that you can make an informed decision for yourself - we hope it helps..!
Key Takeaways
- Renting office space can be expensive, especially in big cities.
- If you live in a big city, then commuting can be expensive and time-consuming. If you have a garden office, you can say goodbye to your daily commute.
- Building a garden office can also be costly, depending on the size and design of the project.
- There are no lengthy contracts to sign when you build your own office.
- Building your own garden office increases your work/life balance as you can drop off/pick the kids up from school, walk the dog, and cut out commute time (not discounting the 2-minute walk to the bottom of your garden).
The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Renting Office Space
Advantages:
Flexibility is at the top of the list - If you have a new startup business, you may not yet know how quickly your team will grow or how long you'll need the space for.
Renting office space gives you the flexibility to expand/downsize your team without having to sell or lease out extra space.
Location, Location, Location - When you're renting office space, you can pretty much choose the perfect location for your business.
Whether that means being in the heart of the city, close to public transport or somewhere with lots of parking, you have a lot more control over where your office is located.
Maintenance And Upkeep - With office space, the landlord is responsible for maintaining and repairing the property.
If anything does go “BANG!” like a leak from the roof or the heating being out of commission, this becomes someone else’s (potentially costly) headache, if you are in a rented office space.
Disadvantages:
It is often a LONG lease - When you're renting office space, the likelihood of you being asked to sign a lease for a min. of 3 years is fairly high.
This can be quite the bind, especially for fledgling businesses who are having to “predict” how much space they’ll need and how long for - even though renting an office affords some flexibility, it's not flexible enough if the market changes suddenly…
It can be expensive - Renting office space can be a massive expense, especially in bigger cities. You may end up paying more than you would if you owned the space outright.
You have less control - When renting an office space, you have less control over the property. For example, you may not be able to make changes or renovations without the landlord's permission.
For a startup, this might not be such an issue. However, as your business starts to expand, you may want more control over your office space and what you can do in it.
Rent and service charges - When you have your own garden room office, the only bills you need to think about are your mortgage or loan repayments (if you've bought the property outright) and your council tax. When you're renting an office space, you also have to factor in rent and service charges on top of that - these can add up and take a nice chunk out of your profits.
The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Building A Garden Office
Advantages
Adds value to your property - If you ever decide to sell your property, a garden office can add value to it - it's seen as a luxury item and will be a selling point for future buyers.
You're in control - When you build a garden office, you're in control of the design, build, and finishing touches. This means you can create an office space that's perfect for your business and your team.
No need to travel - One of the great things about having a garden office is that you don't need to travel to get to work. This will save you time and money, especially if you live far from the city. This also means you're doing your bit to save the planet by reducing your carbon footprint.
Away from the hustle and bustle - If you find working from home distracting, a garden office can give you the peace and quiet you need to focus on your work. It's also a great option if you have young children at home and need somewhere to concentrate.
Increases your work/life balance - A garden office can help you strike a better work/life balance. It can be a dedicated space for work, which means when you're done for the day, you can leave your work at the office and enjoy your personal time.
Able to create your own unique workspace - When you build a garden office, you can create a unique workspace that reflects your business and your brand. This is something you can't really do as well when you're renting an office space.
Disadvantages
Investment purchase - Any sort of home improvement will need to fit your budget and you must consider the cost of the garden unit as well as the installation. However, we do offer some fantastic financing options such as a 20% deposit followed by monthly payments or even opt for our buy now pay later options (This information can be found here).
It can be disruptive - Building a garden office can be disruptive to your daily life. Depending on the size of the project, it could take weeks or even months to complete. On the plus side, however, we employ our own team of fitters, electricians, and painters who try to ensure that the installation does not take any longer than 5 working days to complete.
Planning permission - In some cases, you may need planning permission to build a garden office. This can be a lengthy and complicated process, so it's important to do your research before you start.
Loss of space in your garden - One of the main disadvantages of building a garden office is that it’s going to take up space in your garden. This may not be an issue for those with a larger garden, but for smaller gardens, it can be a problem.
How Do You Decide Which One To Go With?
Now you’ve looked at both the advantages and disadvantages of each option and you may still be stuck on which one to choose. Here are a few things to consider that could help you make that final decision:
Budget
You will need to decide on a budget for your office space. In other words, how much can you afford to spend?
Renting office space can be expensive, especially in the city. However, building a garden office can also be costly, depending on the size and design of the project.
You won't need to pay for the whole cost of rented space upfront, but you will need to factor in the full cost if you want to build your own office.
Parking
If you're looking to grow your business to a decent size, that means taking on additional staff, which can then lead to issues with parking as your employees will need a place to park their vehicles whilst at work.
Now, even if you have a decent-sized drive, is that going to be big enough for all your employees to park their cars? If not, this is definitely something you need to consider when choosing between renting an office space or building your own.
Leasing your office space, you know there will be at least some allocation of parking for you and your employees.
Commute
Since the lockdowns, this is one of the main driving forces behind garden rooms becoming so popular.
It eliminates the need to commute and therefore saves time, and money and reduces your carbon footprint.
If you live in a big city, commuting is not only expensive; it can also be time-consuming, depending on the location.
If you have a garden office, you can wave goodbye to your daily commute. For most, this is the deciding factor when choosing between the two options.
Location
Do you want to be in the heart of the city or do you want a more rural location? Both have their pros and cons.
If you choose to rent an office space, then you will have many locations to choose from.
You can be in the thick of the action or you can find a more relaxed setting on the outskirts of town.
If you build a garden office, then you are limited to the location of your property.
This means you need to have a good-sized garden to accommodate an office.
You also need to consider the noise from neighbours and traffic when deciding on the location of your garden office.
Disturbances
If you have children and pets, you will already be aware of just how disruptive they can be when you're trying to get work done.
And, even though your garden office is separate from the house, there will still be some level of noise and distractions.
Renting an office space eliminates all of that hustle and bustle of your home life, meaning you can have a dedicated space to work without any distractions.
On the flip side, working from your garden office gives a certain kind of freedom that you would not get otherwise; if you need to pick the kids up from school, take the dog for a walk, or simply pick up some shopping, having a garden office means you can do this without having to worry about travelling to and from work. Again, for a lot of people, this is the deciding factor.
In Summary
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing between renting an office space or building a garden office - it really does all depend on individual circumstances and what is important to you.
Consider the points above and make a decision that is right for you and your business.
