Southwick's Garden offices

Homeworkers urged to give thought to office space

2012-02-24T08:36:00.002-08:00

Creating an office space from which to work from home can be an exciting prospect but it isn't something to be rushed into.

A recent article from the Reading Eagle has advised people to consider their move carefully before going ahead with a transformation. For example, working out who is going to use the office space and when will ensure that there is sufficient room to move around comfortably, which should make it that bit easier for everyone to get on with their work.

Secondly, you might not require all of the storage space of a desk and a simple table could work better if you want to create the feeling of more space while still enjoying a large enough space to spread work across.

Then there is all of the organisation that is required in any workspace. Keeping files in a sensible order will make work feel less daunting. The article also suggests being creative when it comes to storage for stationary in order to keep the space fun and inspiring.

This also goes for the décor and layout of the room; it needs to be inspiring to you and your type of work rather than just a generic workspace that you are not particularly interested in. Paint colours, furniture and lighting can all help in this area.

Study reveals Britons' long working hours

2012-02-16T01:55:00.002-08:00

A recent study has revealed the long working hours endured by many Britons and has suggested flexible working options as a way of relieving the stress that can result from this.

Conducted by Regus, the study found that one in ten UK office workers put in over 11 hours a day at their jobs. In addition to this, 43 per cent are forced to take work home to get things done more than three times a week and 69 per cent regularly check their work emails out of working hours.

With such high demands on their time, employees might find that working from home helps them to get more done instead of wasting time on a lengthy commute.

Dr Clare Kelliher, professor of work and organisation at Cranfield School of Management, suggested that employers who are concerned about their employees well-being should help them to find “practical ways of dealing with increased workloads” while maintaining a “satisfactory balance between their work and non-work lives”.

She added: “One way of dealing with this is to enable more flexible and remote working, where staff can work from home or from a location closer to home.

“Our study found that staff who work remotely tend to report higher levels of job satisfaction and achieve higher performance levels both because they been able to avoid long or stressful commutes and also because they are removed from the day-to-day distractions of the workplace.”

Technology to thank for choice to work from home

2012-02-02T01:23:00.001-08:00

If it weren't for significant developments in technology, it is unlikely that so many people in the UK would have the option to work from home.

This is according to a recent report from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), which has noted the differences between the workplace now and that of 1950s Britain.
In the past, the majority of people had set working hours, but now things have become more flexible due to the advance of digital information technology. As a result, employees' schedules are generally more flexible and there is more scope for them to work from home should they desire.
This, however, comes with a new problem of 'information overload'. With smartphones and laptops, people are nearly always available, making it hard for some individuals to separate their personal and work lives.
The increase in the number of people working from home could also be down to a change in the type of work Britain delivers. In 1952 there were around 8.7 million manufacturing jobs, but this has now fallen to just 2.5 million.
Meanwhile, the percentage of people in 'knowledge jobs' has risen from 25 to 44 per cent, while those in customer services and personal service jobs has risen from six to 16 per cent.

Technology will facilitate working from home, survey finds

2012-01-17T01:37:00.001-08:00

The ever-improving availability of technology looks set to provide an increasing number of people with the option to work from home.
This is according to a recent survey conducted by recruitment firm Office Angels, which found that 71 per cent of people surveyed believe that there will be a rise in the number of home workers by 2036.
However, this could have a range of knock-on effects. For example, 54 per cent of those questioned believed that they may never meet other members of their team, while 39 per cent reckon that employees are equally unlikely to meet their bosses before they start work.
While this will obviously increase the flexibility on offer for employees, there is a risk that it will have a negative impact on the working environment, with 43 per cent of employers questioned stating that they are worried about a lack of engagement and loyalty if people only ever work from home.
David Clubb, MD of Office Angles, commented: “Remote working can be a great tool for a business, offering a flexible working model which benefits its employees and allows access to a greater pool of talent, as location is less of an issue.
“However, it's essential that companies continue to support their staff and do not allow them to feel abandoned.”

10 reasons to start a business

2012-01-10T05:52:00.001-08:00

There's never been a better time to start a business - find out why Read more

People working from home urged to maintain discipline

2012-01-10T02:01:00.001-08:00

Maintaining a good level of discipline could be the key to working from home on a successful basis, it has been suggested.

Writing for Fast Company, Kevin Purdy noted that while it may not initially seem important to carry out the old routine that was required for working in an office, many home workers come to regret not keeping up these things in the long-run.
Dressing respectively, for example, and shaving or applying make-up, may all seem like unnecessary time-wasters when you first start to work from home. But a few months in, when you're lazing on the couch in your underwear at midday and struggling to get that report finished while watching the television, you may well come to regret your lack of personal discipline.
Mr Purdy also noted the social change that comes from not working out of an office. There is a tendency to rely heavily on social networking sites to replace the chat that previously took place between colleagues.
However, many home workers speak highly of their increased productivity when working from home thanks to the lack of distractions, so remember this once you're settled into a routine and try to keep Facebook and Twitter time to a minimum.

Garden Room outer shell options

2012-01-06T07:28:00.000-08:00

The home garden room outer shell options have just been uploaded to the website www.southwicks.co.uk

Rail fare rise could prompt more people to work from home

2012-01-05T03:29:00.001-08:00

An increasing number of people could start to work from home after the latest hike in rail fares, it has been suggested.

There was an average fare rise of 5.9 per cent announced at the end of 2011, which fell just below the cap of six per cent introduced by the chancellor George Osborne. This means that an average annual season ticket now swallows up around eight per cent of the median UK salary at £2,028.

According to the Hay Group's latest PayNet UK Salary Tracker, in some cases commuters will end up spending up to 21 per cent of their annual salary on their commute.

Stuart McMillan, reward information consultant at the group, suggested that employers may start to be more open to alternative options for their employees in light of the expense.

He remarked: “Employers need to be aware of this when considering reward packages, and consider benefits such as interest free season ticket loans and greater flexibility to work from home.”

As expected, the survey revealed that London commuters spend the largest proportion of their salary on commuting at 17 per cent for operative level workers, rising to 20 per cent for journeys over 50 minutes.

The Home Garden Building and Studio for Home working and hobbies

2011-12-21T06:48:00.000-08:00

Home based businesses in the

have increased considerably in recent years. There can be many different advantages and reasons to work from home depending on individual circumstances.

You can save both money and time by installing a garden building or studio as you cut out the daily commute to work. An average worker can accumulate an extra 3 weeks per year by not having to commute to and from the head office. All this extra time can easily be fed back into your business, or you can enjoy your additional days as leisure time on your favourite hobby. Your garden building is just a short walk out of your back door becoming very convenient, especially during the cold and wet mornings. It can even be more satisfying when you tune your radio in to the local traffic news to listen to all the traffic chaos.

With modern technology like email, fast internet speeds, wireless connections, networking etc, it has become much easier to run your business from home and still have your colleagues on call as if they were sat in the same office as you. The “virtual world” makes everything and everyone much more accessible.

The work/life balance is very important and invariably both parents need to work, and still have the demands of a young family. Setting up a business from a garden building or studio could be very beneficial where the worker has their own space to work, but are only a few steps away to attend to the needs of the family. A garden building can be a fantastic and refreshing environment that provides a much more laid back atmosphere to work, increasing your productivity, motivation and general all round mental satisfaction.

If the idea sounds great but you are still on the tread mill of working for someone else and would like some good ideas of businesses that can be run from a garden building, then here are a few options for inspiration:

This short list is by no means exhaustive, but are some of the good ones which require little investment in equipment or people etc.

Bookkeeping business, Computer repair business, Internet marketing business, Custom jewellery business, Cake decoration business, Dressmaking & sewing alteration business, Curtainmaking business, Arts and craft business, Dog breeding business, Music tuition business, Picture framing business, Health consultants business, Physio therapists business, Manicurists and Massage business, Clock and Watch repair business.

If you are retired and looking for a great hobby to do in the tranquillity of your garden building, then here is a list of some of the more popular hobbies that are enjoyed by many which may well be of interest to you:

Reading, Arts - Painting, Drawing, Wood carving, Collecting Stamps and Coins, Composing Songs and Music, Photography, Gardening, Home brewing, Researching the Internet, DIY and Tools, Building Models, Sewing and Knitting, Keep Fit, Yoga, Meditation and general relaxing.

Whether work or hobbies, it helps to be focused and comfortable to maximise your potential. An insulated home garden building could be your answer.

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Southwicks Garden Rooms – Manufacturer and installer of home office insulated buildings and garden retreats. A family run business serving the Hampshire area. Expertly and fully installed, including solid base, insulation, electrics, heating, security and more. An attractive 'retreat', designed to discreetly blend into the garden.

Any questions? Give one of our friendly, knowledgeable team a ring now on 01329 319276 or 07920 773198 and we will be happy to assist. Alternatively you can email: jon@southwicks.co.uk or visit our website: www.southwicks.co.uk for more information.

10 year guarantee

2009-10-30T09:12:00.000-07:00

-The 10 year guarantee offers protection against general timber rot and decay – the guarantee does not cover the product against timber splits or warping which may occur naturally over time.

To maintain the validity of this guarantee the product must be treated annually with an appropriate high quality preservative and all glazing units must be sealed, inside and out, with silicone or other water tight sealant. For more information on how to correctly assemble and maintain your garden building please consult one of our representatives.

The SOUTHWICKS 10 year guarantee will be deemed invalid if:

• The product has not been treated annually with an appropriate high quality preservative.

• Any windows have not been sealed, inside and out, with silicone or other water tight sealant.

• The product has been customised or adapted in any way.

• At any point after assembly the building has been in contact with any trees, plants or exterior walls which could allow moisture to penetrate the timber.

• Any timber has been cut, pierced or drilled without a subsequent application of approved cut-end treatment.

• The eventual claimant was not the original purchaser of the product.

• The roofing felt or covering has been damaged or incorrectly fitted allowing water ingress.

Please note: timber is a natural product and prone to changes in appearance, including some movement, warping and splitting, particularly in extreme weather conditions. This will not affect the structural integrity of the product – this is natural and is not covered by a guarantee.

Helpful information why you should seriously consider buying a garden office

2009-10-30T06:24:00.000-07:00

The number of people now working from home have increased dramatically over the years, the reasons for this are various - the most popular two being either costs or to provide a better work/life balance. Whilst advances in technology have given many professional people the ability to work from other locations, craft based businesses are also finding working from home very advantageous.

When planning your work space, consider the purpose of the building: storage; working area; layout etc. Working from home allows you to plan your own working environment. It should be both comfortable and appropriate to your specific needs. Work out the size of Garden Office you require to fulfil all the criteria.

The Costs

Firstly the initial purchase price of your garden office, you should also budget for groundwork to give your building an adequate base suitable for the size and design you choose. Fitting out to include electrical, insulation, security and also any desks or storage you may require.

(All these costs are included in our whole works price. It includes everything mentioned and more, ensuring there are no hidden extras or anything to worry about).

Ongoing cost would include the heating and lighting of the building plus a contingency for keeping the building maintained in good order.

The potential Savings

• Commuting - By reducing your commuting you will save both time and money in petrol or train costs. Your impact on the environment will also reduce, whilst lowering your carbon footprint. The time saved could be spent working which would then provide greater earnings or spent on other pleasures. Just consider when you fill your tank or buy your season ticket - this is money you will never see again.

• Tax - If you are VAT registered and the building is purchased by your company you should be able to recover the VAT content, in addition Garden Offices are defined by H.M.R.C. as "self contained relocatable buildings" - you would be able to write off the cost of your building over a number of years as a business expense. Please consult your accountant for further information on how this applies to your business.

• Convenience - The ability to achieve the 60 second commute allows you to work when you wish or leave work unfinished for you to resume when convenient.

• Rent - If you are currently renting premises an immediate saving could be made, or if you are about to embark on a new venture by working from home you would avoid being committed to leasing a property for a number of years

• Value – Your home Garden office can easily add £20,000 to the value of your property and increase the salability. Properties with existing quality, office space are in high demand.

Alternatives

• Using a bedroom - You are not separating your working day from your home life. The window cleaner, milkman, children, your partner, the general house etc. are all distractions that take you away from earning your living

• Extending your home or converting your garage - Cost these alternatives with a quote from your builder and see for yourself how good value a purpose made Garden Office is

• Moving house to a larger one with more space - Don't forget the larger house will not only mean a larger mortgage and increased council taxes - but the charges for H.I.P. stamp duty, estate agent fees, solicitors and removal are not recoverable

Visit http://www.southwicks.co.uk/ to find out more and see the full specification

flyer

2009-10-20T13:12:00.000-07:00

Contact

2009-10-15T05:54:00.000-07:00

Contact us

BY PHONE:

We'd love to hear from you, so call us on 07920 773198 or 01329 319276. We're really rather friendly and we will happily chat things through with you.

ONLINE:

You can use the form below to contact us.

EMAIL:

You can contact us by email at enquiries@mabels.org.uk

CONTACT FORM:

We provide a FREE no-obligation detailed Site Survey at your home to help you determine your needs. The Site Survey will take about 45 minutes and will cover all aspects of the project including access to your garden, suitability of the proposed location, installation of a power supply, and all other technicalities. Following your Site Survey, you will be sent the full fixed-price quotation as advertised as well as confirmation of any special agreements.

Call us NOW on 01329 319276 to book your FREE Site Survey, or complete the questionnaire below and one of our team members will contact you to arrange the appointment.

Key Features

2009-10-13T07:50:00.001-07:00

Base

Shell, key features - Superior Grade 28mm Fin. Interlocking Logs Chic European, Heavy Duty Door. High Quality Joiner Made Opening Windows. Heavy Duty 19mm T&G Roof & Floor. Fully insulated and plaster boarded.

Triple glazed glazing – made up with double glazed glass units, further gap then faces with unbreakable, UV resistant polycarbonate secured with tamper proof stainless steel fixings.

Shingle roof

Wood preserved Cuprinol - Cuprinol Wood Preserver Clear gives deep penetrating protection to outdoor wood. It is specially formulated to protect against rot and decay and also contains water repellents to help resist rain penetration.

Coloured

Electrics and lighting – Consumer box, Sockets, Lighting and switches. (External cabling 4mm SWA armoured exterior, 2.5mm sockets, 1mm lighting. Twin strip Lighting 2X58W. External sensor 150W.

Studwork

Insulation – Roof, sides and flooring

Sides – 28mm T&G outside wall, 30mm insulated , 9mm plasterboard = 67mm wall thickness.

Roof – Shingles roof tiles, 19 T&G, 30mm insulation, 9mm plasterboard = 61mm

Flooring - Heavy duty 19mm T&G, 30mm insulation, 18mm T&G Floorboards, carpet = 72mm.

Supported by Tannalised ground bearers on prepared base.

Plaster boarding

Venting- Bottom and top

Alarm x 2

Additional Locks – door

Window locks

Internal painting

1.5kw oil filled radiator c/w 24hr timer

CCTV camera

Price and delivery details

2009-10-13T07:45:00.000-07:00

Arrangements can quickly be made to view the finished unit for full inspection before go-ahead and to answer any further questions.

There is one whole works price of £8500. It includes everything mentioned. Then you just need to plug in your computer and telephone and you’re up and running.

We only require a £500 holding deposit until we are about to start construction, so we do not hold on to a large deposit in advance. All deposits are fully guaranteed until construction has started. Payment is then 50% of balance on first delivery then final balance on completion.

The delivery time of the first components is generally 2-3 weeks. Thereafter it takes approximately a further week for our team to complete full professional installation. You would be regularly updated on the progress of every stage and will be assured that every aspect is completed to our high standards of expectation.

On final inspection, you will be shown how to operate the locks, electrics, timers, Alarm and keypad.

Garden Office Financing

Finance options to help fund the cost of your new garden office.

- Savings

- Re-mortgage

- Loans

Here are the current best loan deals...

Click on these links for more information:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/cheap-personal-loans#uk

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/cheap-personal-loans

Yet in general, borrowing on the cheapest credit cards substantially undercuts the cheapest loans if you can work it right.

- Business purchase

- If you have a business then it’s sensible to purchase the unit through the company as a business asset.

A Hire Purchase Agreement is now, following the changes in the 2008 budget 100% tax deductable in year one. This follows the introduction of the new Annual Investment Allowance of £50,000 for businesses, which means that each year businesses can offset their first £50,000 against tax.

Planning & building regulations

2009-10-13T07:42:00.000-07:00

Planning permission

Under new regulations that came into effect on 1 October 2008 outbuildings are considered to be permitted development, not needing planning permission, subject to the following limits and conditions:

No more than half the area of land around the "original house"* would be covered by additions or other buildings

Building regulations

If you want to put up small detached buildings, building regulations will not normally apply if the floor area of the building is less than 15 square metres.

Specification and key features

2009-10-13T07:38:00.000-07:00

Combining a unique and striking design with fantastic all round build quality The Ruminator creates a beautiful outdoor office or garden retreat. Manufactured by skilled craftsmen using premium quality materials, The Ruminator provides an ideal sheltered and warm environment to relax and work in.

Strong, secure and versatile, this amazing building can be utilised by both adults and children – it is very safe, and incredibly secure. Superior 28mm finish interlocking logs emphasise the structural integrity making it extremely stable - this model is built to last! Attractive brass handles complimented with a high security 3-lever lock are included on the stylish European half double glazed single door.

There are two superb quality joiner made opening double glazed windows (each supplied with lock and key) at either side of the door allowing the sunlight to pour into the building and illuminate the spacious interior. With the inclusion of heavy duty roof shingles, generous roof overhang and professional draft seals fitted to all doors and windows you can rest assured that The Sabre is safely protected from the elements.

BEWARE OF CHEAP IMITATION UNITS

Unlike many budget competitor products, the ruminator is built with only the highest quality materials and many other products that boast the same function in the market simply cannot compare!

• THE RUMINATOR features high-grade 28mm interlocking planned and finished logs – beware of log cabins that feature rough edged boards machined from poor quality timber.

• THE RUMINATOR features a specially designed 4-way chamfered notch-joint system ensuring a tight fit to all boards with no room for damp or wind penetration – beware of log cabins that feature square cut logs with square notch-joint, often leaving a sloppy joint with large visible gaps.

• THE RUMINATOR features factory fitted pressure treated weatherproof heavy duty floor joists – beware of log cabins with untreated floor joists which offer no protection against damp penetration at floor level or worse still cabins that come with no floor joists at all.

• THE RUMINATOR features heavy duty premium shingle roofing as standard – beware of log cabins that come with no roof covering or cheap felt, leaving the log cabin completely open to the elements.

• THE RUMINATOR features oversized extra large doors and windows – most competitor log cabins use narrow doors which can prove difficult for access.

• THE RUMINATOR features key-lockable opening windows and all doors and windows are professionally draft sealed – beware of log cabins with cheap, ill-fitting doors and windows that cannot be properly secured and are susceptible to the weather.

• THE RUMINATOR features high quality glazing which is factory silliconed and internally beaded to all doors and windows – beware of log cabins that feature lesser quality materials and provide no window beading.

• THE RUMINATOR features a generous all round roof overhang which protects the building from severe conditions – beware of log cabins with little or no roof overhanging leaving them vulnerable to the wind and rain.

Gallery

2009-10-12T06:50:00.000-07:00

About us

2009-10-12T06:45:00.000-07:00

Southwick’s Garden offices

A family run business serving the South coast, that prides itself in combining a keen price, quality workmanship and a friendly personal service that is not generally found nowadays.

We are committed to 100% customer satisfaction and always aim to exceed your expectations.

Our team are friendly, knowledgeable and efficient, and you will always be kept informed of key dates and other important information to ensure a smooth installation and stress free experience with minimum disruption.

The Ruminator.co.uk - The all in one home office

Everything under 1 roof and we’ve got it covered!

Aesthetically pleasing – Designed to blend into the garden

Very secure

Built to last

One complete package at the keenest price. No hidden extras

A Complete Solution – The Ruminator

2009-10-12T06:38:00.000-07:00

Garden Offices are a place to work in at home but separate from the hustle and bustle of the daily home life. Built to last, warm, safe & secure and expertly installed, everything you need is included as standard and at one keen cost. Southwick’s Garden Offices adopt a simple approach in providing the very best in working & relaxing in your garden.

The versatile Ruminator costs significantly less than an extension or a loft conversion, adds significant value to your house, and is completed in a fraction of the time, giving you living or business space fast, and with minimal disruption, without the need for planning permission.

For the growing number of people now working from home either full or part time, the Ruminator is built to last, provides a comfortable, secure and professional working, aesthetically pleasing environment without the usual distractions associated with working from home. This allows you to separate your office from your living space and ensure the rooms in your house are just used for what they were intended for.

You may simply want to indulge yourself in the sanctuary of your garden and escape from the pressures of modern life. Popular alternative uses of the Ruminator include an internet games room, music and art studio, your own gym, safe play room and general hobby area.

The Ruminator is a practical and economical alternative to possibly moving house to gain extra space or Renting costly business space on a local industrial estate. You will save on motoring costs, save on rents, save time, be more productive and even make your property more saleable and add to its value.

The attractive appearance of our timber home offices and studios will blend well into your garden. Security is given high priority.

Insulation of the building is achieved with the use of slab insulation panels, double glazing and polycarbonate. Together with the good thermal value of wood, this offers excellent U values for insulation.

The interior walls and ceilings of our insulated home offices and garden studios are lined with plasterboard to give a smooth finish and fully painted. Click here to read the full specification and to get a proper appreciation of what is actually included on the price.

The all in one home office

2009-10-12T06:29:00.000-07:00

Do you work from home and need a room away from the “hustle and bustle” of family life, or perhaps need an extra room/den for hobbies, etc?

Then our ‘Ruminator’ could be the answer -

The all in one home office – The Ruminator. Combining a unique and striking design with fantastic all round build quality.The attractive appearance blends well into your garden. Security is given high priority as is insulation. The Ruminator creates a beautiful outdoor office or garden retreat.

The versatile Ruminator costs significantly less than an extension or a loft conversion, is a practical and economical alternative to possibly moving house to gain extra space or renting costly business space. It can add significant value to your house, and is completed in a fraction of the time, giving you aesthetic living or business space, and with minimal disruption.

You may simply want to indulge yourself in the sanctuary of your garden and escape from the pressures of modern life. Popular alternative uses of the Ruminator include an internet games room, music and art studio, your own gym, safe play room and general hobby area.

Built to last, comfortable, secure and expertly installed, everything you need is included as standard and at one keen cost.

Key features:

Fully installation to include,

Base

Superior Grade 28mm Fin. Interlocking Logs, protected and coloured on pressure treated weatherproof, heavy duty floor joists

Fully Insulated

Plaster boarded and decorated

Triple glazed with double glazed glass and unbreakable polycarbonate

Heavy duty premium shingle roofing

Electrics – Consumer unit, Sockets, lighting

Flooring

Ventilation

Heating

Alarms

Windows and door locks

Sensor lighting, CCTV

One price £8,500 incl. vat