Our home office pods made world-famous by BBC global magazine

The WFH trend that started as a necessity during the pandemic has become a normal way of life for the longer term. Not every home was designed to accommodate a dedicated home-office environment. For most people, it has meant squeezing a workspace into a household with varying degrees of dissatisfaction for everyone.

It’s not just in Australia but around the world, more people are wanting to build a separate home office in their backyard. Ana Jones of the BBC UK researched this global phenomenon, looking for industry leaders in different corners of the world to comment on developments and perspectives for the readers of BBC WorkLife. In Australia, Melanie Williamson of Backyard Pods was interviewed as a key player in the flatpack building industry and perhaps the first to offer affordable home office buildings in three States.

“We’ve probably helped with hundreds of home offices by now, between Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory,” said Mel of Backyard Pods, talking of flatpack building kits being the fastest, cheapest, and most versatile option for people wanting a separate home office. “But there’s more to this idea than most people think at first.”

“While most people can have a small shed or workshop on their property without needing approval, when people want to build a proper room, as if it were a detached extension to the living area of their main house, it will need approval. This news comes as a surprise to many people, partly because of misleading media reports and advertising,” she said.

“On the upside, a fully approved home office building is certified for occupation so it would be permissible to use it as an extra bedroom as well. It’s definitely adding value to the whole property, whereas a shed or illegally-built room means nothing much really. It could even be seen as a liability if it needs to be rectified for usability or demolished altogether.”

Whether people approach their WFH office as a DIY building project or get everything professionally done for them, the cheapest and most versatile way to get a home-office pod on your land is starting with a flatpack building kit from Backyard Pods!

Start with your blank office building size and add your doors, windows, etc, wherever you want them! Install air-conditioning for year-round comfort – and perhaps have a sofa bed, ensuite, and kitchenette facilities to create guest accommodation as well!

Ask our team for advice on how to get started – we’re happy to help you.