The next generation of homes is being designed to keep you in the same place, but working anywhere. This has bled over into the work-at-home space as well. From garden pods to rooftop campervans and communal co-working spaces, housebuilders are incorporating home offices into new-builds. For the stay-at-home millennial who’s ready to put roots down, it’s a dream scenario. Yet for a homeowner on a budget, remodelling can be pricey. So new-build homes are being developed across the country which caters specifically to women, men and families working from home. And housebuilders are investing in quirky home office concepts to make working from home as easy and fun as possible. If you are looking for a new-build property that supports working from home, estate agents in Sittingbourne can help you find a perfect property!
Garden pods
If you don’t have the budget to create an extension to your property, but if you want a quiet place to work new builds are now coming with a garden pod. The outbuildings are fitted with insulation and heating so they can be used all year round. The price of a garden pod varies depending on the supplier, size and finish. Some companies supply pods nationwide, setting them up for you. Others supply just pods for self-installation. Pods range from a basic shell (from around £4,000) to a fully finished building (from around £10,000). Fully finished buildings include the ‘standard’ package which is the building complete with electricity and heating, plus an optional decking area. Bespoke packages are also available depending on your needs.
Communal working spaces are now popular
These communal areas are designed to offer residents a place where they can work in comfort, without being disturbed by the hustle and bustle of family life. They often come with super-fast Wi-Fi, meeting rooms and large desks where you can spread out your papers without feeling as though you’re getting under your partner’s feet. If you can’t find a development that already has such a space, it might be worth looking for a flat that has enough space for you to create an office of your own. One major advantage of a large apartment block is the potential for communal working hubs, where residents can book a space and enjoy the privacy, peace and quiet of one-to-one work.
Many developers are now building fantastic co-working spaces into developments. Far from being dull, these areas are designed to be creative, inspiring and relaxing. They may include informal breakout areas with soft seating, as well as more formal desk spaces. Some will even have a dedicated on-site concierge who can help with anything from booking a table at a local restaurant to arranging airport parking for your next trip away.
Good connectivity
If you’re self-employed and working from home, a reliable internet connection is crucial. For example, if you’re a freelance web designer, your broadband speed will determine how quickly you can download and upload files, as well as how quickly they load on your clients’ pages. If you’re working in a team or collaborating with other companies, it’s even more important that everyone is able to access the same file at the same time without having to wait. This is why new-build homes can be so appealing to those who work from home. They are designed and built with modern technology in mind, so the layout of rooms will be optimised for fast WiFi speeds, meaningless dead spots and fewer areas which don’t get good connectivity.
Options to customise
Customisation is a big part of choosing and buying a new build, whether you’re buying off-plan or your home has already been built. In order to ensure the customisation process is as smooth as possible for purchasers, there are usually only a limited number of options to choose from. This ensures that builders can keep construction on track and not delay completion dates. Homebuyers in the UK have long been used to buying a new-build home off-plan (that is before it has been built) and enjoying the added benefit of a range of customisable options. Customisation brings with it the choice over fixtures, fittings and, sometimes even layouts. In a recent survey by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), two-thirds of respondents said they would like to see more customised housing.
Increased energy efficiency
As home-working becomes more popular, the need for energy efficiency in our homes increases. Fortunately, new-build homes are built to higher standards than older properties, making them more efficient and saving you money. With a fantastic range of eco-friendly features, new builds are designed to keep your bills down and help protect the planet. Many new builds come with solar panels as standard, which can significantly reduce your energy bills. The UK has some of the highest levels of solar radiation in Europe, so by installing solar panels in your home you can make the most of this natural resource and benefit from a significant reduction in your electricity bills.
Homeowners are finding that the option of a new-build home presents their family with flexibility, allowing for work and family to be supported. It should not be seen as merely a financial investment decision, but also as a consideration of the design and layout. The more homebuilders understand WFH habits, the better they can consider them within the design of their properties. Of course, this is just one example of many ways in which businesses can respond to changing lifestyles and employee needs by breaking out of the old office model.