For the last 8 years I've managed to get away with working in a couple of rooms in whichever house I've lived in, used as office space. But with an 18 month old boy crashing about for 2 days a week (he's at nursery for the 3 other days) it's become impossible to sustain as a 'professional' space.
I'm looking at the following options:
Garden office (custom built wooden structure).
Garage conversion.
Rented office space in town.
There are benefits and drawbacks with all the above, the garden office option would cost a few grand to put up, be subject to business rates (and possible planning considerations), and at the end of the day it'd still be a shed in my garden and less impressive to clients than an office in town. But...it's in the garden so a nice environment to work in, and not far to travel home!
Garage conversion, similar to above, but as it'd be a brick structure slightly more professional looking. Possible drawbacks when selling the house, unless they wanted the extra space.
I've been looking for local rented office space for years, and due to a chronic shortage of space never found anything suitable which is why I've been stuck in a home office for all these years. However things seem to be changing, as due to the shortage of grants for local organisations, some places are now becoming vacant. The problem with this option is I'd need to spend a hefty chunk of profits each year to get anything decent.
Business is going well, and although I don't want to expand by taking on staff I would like to attract bigger clients so would like to raise my company image a bit.
Any tips, feedback or personal experiences on the options I've listed would be gratefully received
