Working from home has changed what we expect from our gardens. A few years ago, a garden building might have been somewhere to store tools, bikes or the lawnmower. Today, more and more people are turning part of their outdoor space into a proper home office.
I’ve recently started planning another garden office electrical installation, and it’s a good example of how a relatively small project can create a really useful working space.
A Recommendation From a Previous Customer
This particular job came through a recommendation, which is always nice. About a year ago, I completed some electrical work for a customer on Rectory Road, Wokingham, and their neighbour has now contacted me about supplying power to a newly built garden office.
The office itself is quite compact – approximately 2.5 metres by 2.5 metres – and constructed from modern composite materials. It sits right next to the existing garage, which makes the electrical side of the project particularly interesting.
I actually enjoy this type of work. Garden electrics are some of my favourite jobs because every installation is slightly different, and you have to think carefully about the safest and neatest cable route rather than simply taking the most obvious one.
How Much Power Does a Small Garden Office Need in Wokingham?
One of the first things to consider is what the building will actually be used for.
In this case, the electrical demand is relatively modest. We are planning a couple of wall lights, or sconces, together with two socket points. That should comfortably provide what is needed for everyday office equipment such as computers, monitors and laptop chargers, as well as a small electric heater.
For this particular installation, we are planning a 13-amp supply, protected via a double-pole switched fused connection unit at the supply end. This gives us a clearly defined and appropriately protected supply for the garden office based on its expected electrical demand.
This is an important part of planning any garden office supply. There is no point designing an unnecessarily complicated installation if the expected load doesn't require it. Equally, you don't want to install something without considering what may be plugged in later.
Finding a Sensible Cable Route
Running a completely new circuit from the main consumer unit would be possible, but in this property it would involve a long cable route and considerably more intrusive work.
After looking at the options, the more practical solution is to take the supply from a suitable existing socket circuit within the garage, subject to the existing circuit and protection being suitable for the additional load.
From there, we are looking at approximately 10 metres of cabling through the garage before taking the supply outside and into the new garden office.
Planning a garden office or outdoor building and unsure how to get power to it? I can assess the existing electrical installation and recommend a safe and practical solution for your particular property.
Keeping Surface-Mounted Wiring Neat
Surface-mounted wiring sometimes gets a bad reputation because people imagine cables simply clipped everywhere. It doesn't have to look like that.
For this installation, the internal cabling will be contained within decorative trunking. Done properly, this provides protection for the cables while keeping the finished installation clean and tidy – particularly important in a small office where everything is visible.
Because the office is made from composite materials, surface mounting also avoids unnecessary cutting into the structure. The positioning of sockets, lighting points and cable routes can all be planned before installation begins.
Why Garden Offices Are Becoming So Popular
I see more and more customers making better use of garages, sheds, cabins and purpose-built garden rooms. Working from home is obviously a big reason.
A small dedicated office can separate work from home life without requiring an extension or sacrificing a bedroom. From an electrical point of view, even a small building can become a comfortable workspace once it has proper lighting, enough sockets and suitable heating.
However, outdoor electrical supplies need to be designed correctly. Cable routes, circuit loading, RCD protection, environmental conditions and the existing installation all need to be considered. What works for one property won't necessarily be suitable for the next.
Looking Forward to This One
At the moment, this project is still at the planning stage, with the installation expected to take place within the next two or three weeks.
It's not a huge project, but that's partly why I like these jobs. There is something satisfying about starting with a small empty garden building and finishing with a practical space where somebody can comfortably work every day.
And being recommended by a previous customer – especially to their neighbour – makes it even better.
If you're building a garden office, cabin, garage or other outdoor workspace in Wokingham and need a new electrical supply, get in touch with IGT Electrical to discuss the options and arrange an assessment.
