Reply to: The new commute

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

I like it, I looked at something similar with an extra bit for storage, getting close to 20k. That included electrics etc. How much did you pay?

Basic spec for this model cost was £12.5k but by the time I'd added on the plastering pack, extended decking and cedar cladding for the front and left side (kept it to the cheaper redwood cladding on the rear/right as they won't be visible from in the garden) it came to £14.5k all in.

That's including a £200 discount for visiting the showroom and they waived the £500 delivery and install fee (it's free within 100 miles of their factory and I was 101 miles away) and they also knocked £100 off as I'm supplying my own light (their LED panel doesn't support LightwaveRF switches and I wanted something I could remote control and automate so I'm trying IKEA's new lighting gear).

Internal electrics are included, my electrician is hooking up the power which is costing me £300 (considering he's having to upgrade the internal electrics and CU in the garage to run the power from there, I think that's pretty good). I had a friend help me run conduit and 4 lengths of CAT5e from my under-stairs patch panel to the building which is buried down the right hand border. Their install team ran it all internally for me, I'll wire it up myself when its finished.

It's a 3x3m Inspiration from Green Retreats:
https://www.greenretreats.co.uk/buildings/inspiration/

[woohoo]

Just waiting for plastering next week, decorating, final fix and electrics.

Landscaping is finished next week (just some fencing, new gates, raised beds for veg garden, a little bit of paving and turf to lay), planting mid-October, should look awesome by next Summer.

Been planning this for years now...can't wait.

I like it, I looked at something similar with an extra bit for storage, getting close to 20k. That included electrics etc. How much did you pay?

[WTFH]

Well I never thought of that...let me run that past my accountant.

It’s quite simple.
Let’s say the trampoline cost you £1000, put it through your company and you get the VAT back, so there’s £200 in your pocket. Then you need to write it off over a 2 year period - the kids will be tired of it by then but you and the misses might have a bit of fun on it with the neighbours (you live in Essex, right?)
£50 a month straight line depreciation over 2 years is £1200, but we were at £800, so you’ve made another £500 (inc VAT)
You’ll also want a surveillance camera for the office, and if it happens to catch your nocturnal activities on the tramp, well you can sell the videos to one of those websites for discerning gentlemen. Of course those sales would be personal, not business so you may need to pay BIK on the cameras.

[Paddy]

Before anyone asks, the company didn't pay for the office.

It's bloody well paying for as much of the contents as possible though!

Of course not. Your wife owns the office via an offshore company and you pay an extortionate amount of rent for it.

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

Could you put the trampoline in as a mode of transport to work?

Well I never thought of that...let me run that past my accountant.

[WTFH]

Could you put the trampoline in as a mode of transport to work?

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

Before anyone asks, the company didn't pay for the office.

It's bloody well paying for as much of the contents as possible though!

[WTFH]

How long will that take you to cycle?

Looks long enough for a couple of gel packs.

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

Why have you built a small jacuzzi and a mirrored wall on your helipad (I realise you’ve dug up part of the H)

A jacuzzi? I might live in Essex now but I'm not that ******* common...

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

The big pit is for the sunken trampoline, which will be partially hidden once the planting around it is established. My wife and children really wanted one, I didn't want one of those big ones which the huge netting around them, so this was the best aesthetic (and expensive ) compromise.

I am within the weight limit though so I might have a go!

[WTFH]

Why have you built a small jacuzzi and a mirrored wall on your helipad (I realise you’ve dug up part of the H)

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

It looks very nice. I presume the fence on the left fences off your out-buildings and the hedge on the right is the start of the garden.

Close. My boundaries are the long fence on the left, the back of the garage is part of the rear boundary and the row of the conifers on the right are on the boundary but we have a driveway on the other side of the right hand fence in the photo which I own but has shared access for the two properties to the rear (a former owner of this house divided off a huge plot of land to the rear and built two bungalows).

There's some more fencing to go in to secure the rear of the "garden area", leaving a parking space behind the office and vehicle access to the RHS of the garage.

[greenlake]

Just waiting for plastering next week, decorating, final fix and electrics.

Landscaping is finished next week (just some fencing, new gates, raised beds for veg garden, a little bit of paving and turf to lay), planting mid-October, should look awesome by next Summer.

Been planning this for years now...can't wait.

Is the circular pit on the left the new "visitors centre"....?

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

How long will that take you to cycle?

Well the bike is in the garage behind, so I'd have to double back...

[Paddy]

Just waiting for plastering next week, decorating, final fix and electrics.

Landscaping is finished next week (just some fencing, new gates, raised beds for veg garden, a little bit of paving and turf to lay), planting mid-October, should look awesome by next Summer.

Been planning this for years now...can't wait.

It looks very nice. I presume the fence on the left fences off your out-buildings and the hedge on the right is the start of the garden.