Working from Home
While the forecasts that working from home would become the new normal post-pandemic may have been exaggerated, having the space to do so is still a priority for many homebuyers.
While the forecasts that working from home would become the new normal post-pandemic may have been exaggerated, having the space to do so is still a priority for many homebuyers.
Many workers who have recently started to work from home have found a need for separation from their work and daily life. Soon they are yearning to close a door and walk away, leaving the stresses of work for another day.
Unfortunately, that's not as easy as they may have hoped, and it can cause problems at home, especially if it's a long term arrangement.
Unfortunately, solutions require space, so what are the options?
People are creative, and you could turn any free space into a suitable work area. However, separation is essential, and you need to minimize distractions. For a comfortable work environment, we'd suggest you would need at least 9m2 to accommodate a decent sized desk, chair and some storage. But, of course, you can get by with less, and many do; it depends on your requirements.
Often though, there is no free space available. Therefore finding a more spacious home is the answer.
Probably the most sought-after feature for those looking to work from home, an existing study allows you to create your office without taking up that much-valued living space. Occasionally, properties have dedicated office space in the main house or outbuildings.
Unfortunately, this option is only normally found at the higher end of the market, so a compromise might have to be found.
Most houses don't come with a study, so converting a spare bedroom into your office is a popular alternative. Then, of course, you lose the extra bed space, but you can often address this by utilising camp furniture for the occasions your guests require the room.
You may want to make use of loft space if that's feasible. Completing an attic conversion can be costly, but it will also add value to your property, and would normally be considered an additonal bedroom by future buyers. So, it could be considered an investment as well as provide an excellent place to work.
An outbuilding can provide the ideal solution for those who prefer greater separation from work and have enough space. Some may be fortunate enough to have a garage or stable to convert to office use, but it's increasingly common to erect wooden outbuildings in the garden for the purpose. A quick search online will show you many options at many price points.
If you choose this option, it may be wise to ensure that you don't breach local planning regulations.
Working from home can be frustrating for you and those living with you if you don't have adequate connectivity. For instance, a wireless connection to your router may be significantly slower than a wired connection, especially when shared with others.
Power availability is also something to think about; how many sockets you need to run a home office is surprising. And, of course, none of us is immune to the odd power cut. For this reason, it may be worth investing in a small, affordable, Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS), which at least gives you a chance to save your work before power dies completely.
However, two of the most important things to consider when buying somewhere new is external services, like broadband and telephone connections.
You'll likely need a fast internet connection. A fibre connection is ideal and may be essential.
For example, suppose you have to share your connection with other household members during working hours. They may be using streaming or gaming services that are particularly data-hungry. In that case, it will be sensible to subscribe to one of the faster broadband packages on offer.
Depending on your circumstances, you might consider installing two connections from different providers on different networks (e.g. Virgin and an Openreach option like BT). This approach provides redundancy, and you'll be less likely to be left offline, and it gives you the option of separating your work connection from the rest of the household.
In addition, if you have access to a strong 4G or 5G mobile signal, this can also act as a helpful backup; some even use it as their primary broadband connection.
It seems that people rarely use a landline at home anymore, but you may not wish to share your mobile or home number with work colleagues.
Therefore, as landlines become a thing of the past, VOIP solutions delivered through your broadband connection are a flexible alternative.
There are many VOIP providers other than your broadband company, so it's worth shopping around and ensuring they provide all the services you'll likely need at an affordable price.
If you rely on your mobile (or a separate "work only" mobile), ensuring that adequate network coverage is available is imperative.
So working from home presents a few challenges, but it also provides many benefits. No longer having to commute is an obvious example. You can now spend that time with friends, family or just winding down from the day's stresses.
If you are thinking of moving to the Wimborne area, let us help you find the ideal property that will provide you with the opportunity to create the work/life balance we all hope for.