We are now on Industry Insight Episode 5, but if you missed previous episodes, we have you covered.
If you missed our previous insights, you can catch up here:
Growth in Homeworking
With COVID-19 restrictions in place, many people started working from home in early 2020. During the first lockdown, spare rooms and kitchen tables became workspaces. Over time, remote work setups have improved.
Garden offices gained popularity. More people built summer houses to create home office space. This trend created a new opportunity for mortgage intermediaries to support clients needing finance.
Remote Work Becomes Normal
By mid-June 2020, remote work reached 38%. Data only began in May, so earlier figures may have been higher. Uncertainty remained, and many employers extended homeworking.
Home Offices Drive Buyer Choices
A Home Builders Federation poll showed 40% of people now look for home office space when buying. This shift highlights growing demand for flexible living and working areas.
As lockdowns continued, home offices became essential. For many, they offered a long-term solution.
How Advisers Adapted to Change
At Harpenden Building Society, our team also adapted. Jean Errington and I built our own garden offices. These summer houses became key to maintaining work-life balance.
Jean’s summer house offers quiet space and doubles as a family retreat. It is compact, functional and meets their home office needs.
Summer Houses in 2020
Summer houses started at £2,000 in 2020. Costs rose depending on size and materials. Harpenden Building Society supported larger builds over £75,000.
Jean’s garden building measured 8×8 feet. Her husband laid the base. The assembly took half a day. Electricity and Wi-Fi were added. The structure now provides a quiet workspace.
Quotes from Jean Errington
“We use it for work and relaxing. It was simple to build. My husband laid the base, and the team assembled the rest. We added power and Wi-Fi, too. It sits 80 feet from the house.”
“No planning permission was needed. Still, it’s important to check. You can spend as much as you want, depending on your design.”
“My summer house is rectangular. It makes the best use of our garden. It helps with work during the day and family time in the evening.”
Construction Timelines
The concrete base set in one day. The build took two days. Painting took two more days. In one week, the space would be ready. No major home disruption occurred. There was no need to move house.
Tips for Brokers and Clients
Finance smartly. We work with brokers and clients to offer suitable lending options for garden office builds. See our mortgage network guide to learn how brokers can assist.
Assess every case. Our team reviews each application in person. Many clients have complex incomes. High-street lenders may reject them. We assess every case manually and fairly.
Know your supplier. Cabin companies vary in cost and timelines. Check delivery times. Demand was high in 2020. Plan for delays. Some offer full setup, othehttps://connectbrokers.co.uk/how-to-find-a-mortgage-network/rs do not. Include setup services in your budget if needed.
A Positive Result
Adding a summer house created much-needed space. It was quick, cost-effective, and practical.
The Opportunity for Brokers
Interest in garden offices and home workspace grew during the pandemic. The trend will likely continue. Brokers who understand this market can help clients fund builds. At Harpenden, we support brokers ready to explore specialist lending options for home office finance.
At Connect, we believe mortgage advisers have a vital role in shaping this next chapter of the housing market.
To support your journey:
If you’re serious about developing your client base and becoming the adviser people remember and recommend, you’re in the right place.
➡️ Ready to grow? Join Our Network today and turn leads into loyal clients.
Thank you for reading our publication on “Industry Insight Episode 5 | An Option for Homeworking.” Stay “Connect“-ed for more updates soon!