Thinking that you could use another room at home but cannot afford an extension?

Do you need an extra bedroom for guests or a new arrival?

Do you work from home and wish you had your own office space?

Ever thought of converting your garage and what sort of planning you need to get the ball rolling. You would probably be surprised if I was to say not a lot, and you can have it done in a weekend.

The first thing is to figure out exactly what you are going to use the extra room for or why you need the space.

If you are like me and work from home and NEED your own office space as there is no more room in the bedroom for any more filing cabinets or every evening you have to clear the dinning room table of files, paper, lap tops, appointment sheets etc.. Just to have a family meal! Then it is definately time to put aside a weekend of home improvements and get that office space that is desperately needed.

Firstly you will have to clear out the garage, and I mean clear it out, with no hesitation as a lot of people tend to store stuff they never even use. Gardening tools should be in the shed! My motto is if you have not used it in the last year it has to go.

Secondly you may want to give it a quick coat of white paint and the garage will look like new.

Thirdly put some shelving up as they will come in very useful, and you will soon fill them. Don't forget as you accumulate more paperwork etc.. It all add up so the more storage you add at the begining the better prepared you will be.

Fourthly you may or may not need a telephone/fax line, power points and more lighting in your office. You can however just use a hands free phone. I personally needed a telephone line, and a fax line, along with a second and third power point. You will just need to book your local electrician to do the power points and extra lighting, so call around and get a few quotes, as their hourly rate can vary from one electrician to the next. The telephone line would have to be done though your telephone provider, and can get rather expensive for a second line to be installed, so if possible just get the electrician to put an extra socket in the office for you while he does the power points and lighting.

Fifthly you will need to decide on what carpet you need. I personally went for Marine Carpet as it is hard wearing, weather and rot resistant, so even if I decide to park my car back in the garage I will not ruin the carpet. I also like to have the garage door open and sometimes it rains, with Marine carpet this is not a problem.

Sixthly the last things you will need to do are getting the furniture, decide on what you need and were it will go. If you have a window then place the desk near it to get some natural sun light in the area you will be working. If you can afford the expense, change the garage roller door for a glass fronted roller door it makes a big difference.

That's your office finished you can do as much or as little as you want really.