You have finally decided to take the plunge and conduct business from your very own backyard office. But now what? There are so many options out there, where do you begin?
You can either buy a premade backyard office kit or you can minimize your limitations by building YOUR very own backyard office – to YOUR needs and taste.
Going with option two (building your own office) will surely bring the following question to mind: How much does it cost to build a backyard office?
The cost to build a backyard office will depend on the size, materials and construction methods used for the office. Below are the average costs to build a small backyard office, measuring 10 x 10 ft (3 x 3 m). The 4 most common types of backyard offices are included in the below comparison.
- Wooden / Timber: Wooden backyard offices can cost anywhere between $3000 – $7500 to build. This depends largely on the type of help you wish to hire.
- Metal / Steel: With a price range of $2500 – $6000, a metal backyard office is the cheapest option.
- Vinyl: These will cost you anywhere between $3000 – $8500. They have a similar build to wooden structures, but the finishes can cost more.
- Brick: A brick backyard office will range between $3500 – $6500 to build.
DIY vs Hired Service
Most people will hire a service (when opting to custom build a backyard office rather than buying a premade kit). Unless you’re pretty skilled in carpentry and construction, hiring a pro is probably the best way to go. Other services like wiring and plumbing should also be accounted for.
Below are average hourly rates for:
- Handyman: $40 – $65/hr
- Carpenter: $22 – $25/hr
- Steel Worker: $20 – $25/hr
- Bricklayer: $18 – $25/hr
- Electrician: $50 – $100/hr
- Plumber: $45 – $150/hr
These rates are obviously dependent on the Professional’s skill level. The size and nature of the project also plays a big factor in the average costs highlighted above.
Breakdown of Cost
Building a backyard office is not exactly the same as building a house or other living quarters. Techniques and building principles will differ, and the quality of finishes will not be the same either. Foundations and floor slabs do not need to be as heavy as that of a house. Large windows and fancy ventilation systems are not needed in a backyard office. And, sometimes people settle for zero plumbing in a backyard office too.
Below you’ll find the average breakdowns of basic costing for the different types of backyard office construction. Remember that the cost estimates below are for a 10 x 10 ft (3 x 3 m) backyard office.
Wooden
Wooden sheds and backyard offices are still the most common type. Wood looks great and naturally compliments the outdoors. Wooden structures do however require regular maintenance. If the wood is left untreated, it will rot and spoil. So, you will also need to consider these factors when opting for a wooden backyard office.
- Material Costs
- Floor Joists: $175 – $200
- Plywood (floor boards): $200 – $400
- Wall framing (4 sides): $700 – $2000
- Wall siding:
- Hardwood: $80 – $350
- Cedar: $250 – $700
- Pine: $250 – $375
- Roof joists / rafters: $250 – $500
- Materials Total Cost: $1325 – $3100
- Labor Costs
- Professional handyman at $65/hr for about 40 – 60 hours = $2600 – $3900
- Carpenter at $25/hr for about 40 – 60 hours = $1000 – $1500
Hiring a professional contractor or handyman can cost you anything between $3925 – $7000 and a carpenter will cost between $2325 – $4600.
Metal
Metal or steel sheds and backyard offices come in various forms. Thin sheeting, corrugated sheeting, or steel poles can be used to construct a metal office. Metal structures are a good option if you want a sturdy, durable and long lasting structure. They do however rust over time, so it’s important that the steel is galvanized for maximum durability and to prevent rust. Also, metal structures are fairly light which means heavier foundations are required if you live in a windy location.
- Material Costs
- Floor joists: $175 – $200
- Plywood (floor boards): $200 – $400
- Wall framing (I-beam and channels): $800 – $1700
- Wall siding:
- Thin steel sheets: $350 – $550
- Corrugated metal sheets: $280 – $500
- Roof joists / rafters: $250 – $400
- Materials Total Cost: $1705 – $3750
- Labor Costs
- Steel worker / welder: $15 – $35/hr for roughly 40 – 60 hours = $600 – $2100.
A metal backyard office seems to be the cheapest option, with a price range of $2305 – $5850 for materials and labor.
Vinyl
Vinyl sheds and backyard offices are the new hot trend. These structures consist of a wooden framework and wooden boarding that’s covered with vinyl siding. They are generally stronger than metal structures and they are maintenance free. Vinyl-sided sheds do however cost more than your metal sheds, but they offer better value for money as they can withstand snow and heavy winds.
- Material Costs
- Floor joists: $175 – $200
- Plywood (floor boards): $200 – $400
- Wall framing (4 sides): $700 – $2000
- Wall siding:
- OSB panels: $250 – $400
- Vinyl siding: $300 – $700
- Roof joists / rafters: $250 – $500
- Materials Total Cost: $1875 – $4200
- Labor Costs
- Professional handyman at $65/hr for about 40 – 60 hours = $2600 – $3900
- Carpenter at $25/hr for about 40 – 60 hours = $1000 – $1500
Similarly to the wooden type construction, hiring a professional contractor or handyman can cost you anything between $4475 – $8100 and a carpenter will cost between $2875 – $5700.
Brick
Using bricks or concrete blocks to build a backyard office does seem a bit extreme, especially if you are in the United States. Brick structures cost more than wooden and metal structures. A large part of the cost goes to physical labor. However, brick structures can be the favorite option for people who live outside the US. Brick structures have good insulation and it goes without saying that brick structures are probably the sturdiest of them all.
- Material Costs
- Floor:
- Floor joists: $175 – $200
- Concrete floor slab: $250 – $750
- Floor finish:
- Tiles: $200 – $1000
- Boarding: $400 – $800
- Carpet: $250 – $900
- Walls (4 sides): $1400 – $1800
- Roof joists / rafters: $250 – $500
- Materials Total Cost: $2275 – $4250
- Floor:
- Labor Costs
- Bricklayer at $18 – $25/hr for about 60 – 80 hours = $1080 – $2000.
Brick construction does take slightly longer than the other construction methods. You’re looking at a price range of $3355 – $6250 with a brick office.
Additional Costs
No matter how hard I’ve tried to cover everything that you need to be aware of when factoring your costing – there are still many other considerations you need to be mindful of. Some of the items I mention below are pretty generic, and some are only applicable in certain locations or conditions.
Permits
It’s not an uncommon requirement to obtain a permit before erecting any backyard structure. Be sure to look up your local building codes first, and then obtain the necessary permits before building your backyard office.
Electrical Wiring
Electricity will definitely be a requirement for your backyard office. This means that you should use a licensed Electrician to do all your wiring. This comes at an additional cost too, but it’s obviously essential to your office needs. Also, this will add to your monthly electrical bill.
Plumbing
It’s no train smash for a backyard office to not have a bathroom or running water. It is your backyard after all, which means you have access to your house! However, sometimes it’s necessary to have your own bathroom in the office, especially if you have clients over on a regular basis. Whatever your reasons for including a bathroom or running water, plumbing will be an additional cost that you need to be mindful of.
Foundations
Foundations come in many shapes and sizes, and these all affect the cost of the project. A brick structure will need a bigger and heavier foundation compared to a wooden or metal structure. Some locations or structure types will not need concrete and others will. Foundation requirements can greatly differ depending on the project, and that’s why I’ve listed it as an additional consideration.
Roofing
Metal, slate tiles, and plastic sheets are only but a few types of roofing materials. There are too many options to mention. Sheeting is the best and cheapest option for backyard offices. Roof sheeting can cost anywhere between $200 – $500 for a 10 x 10 ft office (3 x 3 m).
Doors and Windows
- Just one door is sufficient for a backyard office, but the price can vary depending on what type of door you choose. Doors range all the way from hollow-core which is the cheapest type, all the way to solid doors. Solid doors are excellent at blocking out unwanted noise but that comes at a price. Glass doors are also a common choice.
- For a 10 x 10 ft office, two windows should be more than enough. Window sizes and prices will vary depending on the quality and window type. Single glazed windows are sufficient. Your other option is double glazed windows, they have excellent insulation but they also cost a lot more.
Building Area
To make things easy, all figures and estimates in this article were based on a 10 x 10 ft backyard office (3 x 3 m). The project cost will increase or decrease depending on your desired square footage. Going bigger will mean more materials and labor.
Special Services
Although not necessary, special services like architectural or interior design services can be utilized for your backyard office. You may even decide to hire a landscape designer to make the route to your office more desirable and appealing. These services can add a significant cost to your project but if you can afford it then you definitely will not regret it. After all, a backyard office is probably the biggest investment of your career.