Even though garden offices/studios/rooms are a relatively new concept, with a huge market yet to discover the benefits of this type of extra space, there are a growing number who are already thinking ahead.

Roomworks have had quite a few projects where the customer's brief has been for a
room that will evolve as they do, as their family grows (or shrinks) and as their work/play
requirements change. With the significant costs involved, "future-proofing" your
room and your investment makes a great deal of sense. What might start out
as an office today, could become a granny annex in a couple of years time, so thinking
ahead about your likely requirements is something Roomworks encourage their
clients to consider as part of the design process.

Roomworks only build bespoke buildings, (in fact so far they haven't built the same
design twice) which makes future-proofing a natural part of the design process.
This is also one of the reasons their building specification is so high. Because their
rooms surpass building regulations, a change of use from say an office to living
accommodation is straight forward, assuming there are no planning issues.

It might also make sense to remodel a garden room if you decide to sell your home.
A chill-out space for your dog for instance (and Roomworks have built them!) might
suit you but not the saleability of your property. Extra accommodation for the new
owner's mother on the other hand might be a more attractive proposition!
Thinking ahead means that provisions can be made - the shape and size of the space
can be properly considered, services built in (even if they are not connected until required) and any potential modifications made easier to make at a later date.

Another question Roomworks are often asked is " Can I take my garden room with me
if I move?" Some garden room suppliers refer to the fact that their rooms can be easily
taken apart as a key benefit, and for some, this may well be the case, but Roomworks
take a different view.

"It would be easier to knock a brick building down than take a Roomworks structure
apart" explained Paul Barton their design director. And he makes no apology for this -
"Our rooms are built to last and perform - " he explained.
Assuming the building isn't too large for transportation and where access to the site is
good however, a Roomworks structure can be lifted and moved to another site.
Again, if factored in at the the design stage, this process can be made less of a challenge.

As we all give some thought to our plans for 2011, if this is the year you have decided to
invest in a new garden office, it might be worth giving a little thought to 2015 too!