OUTSTANDING Unlocking the potential of outbuildings

Over the past three years in particular, with the distinct rise in the ability of many homeowners to work from home and increasing flexibility in where and when people can work, a space in which to set up a home office or business has been of ever increasing importance.

When taking calls from prospective buyers, more often than not we are being asked to find properties with a space to work from home.

One of the ways people have adapted to working from home is reimagining their under used garages or garden sheds and revamping these spaces to suit their needs better. This is a growing trend particularly in the more rural parts of the country where people are not commuting to work as regularly and properties in such areas are more likely to have some ground and outbuildings, be it a smallholding or traditional rural cottage.

Being separate from the main property, outbuildings are a highly flexible additional space. They may be used as workshop or storage space for those looking to work or set up business from home, they may also offer great potential to adapt to the tourism market (if planning consent allows) to create a residential dwelling for the holiday lets market. Old abandoned bothys and steadings are suddenly considerably more attractive to buyers who see the opportunity for repair and renovation.

There are many garden buildings that come under the outbuilding umbrella, be it a garden room, stone-built or timber shed, hut or even a greenhouse, and when considering how to make your outbuilding more attractive and useful, it is important to consider how to make it fit for purpose. If you are considering using a garden outbuilding as a home office or workshop facility, there are some important things to consider:

Does it have an electricity • supply, or can one be installed easily?

Is there a Wi-Fi connection

• and do you need an extender to boost your signal?

• video calls?

•

How is the sound proofing for

Is the building water-tight?

• be locked up at night and when you are away on holiday?

Is it a secure space that can

• to use the space for work?

Is there adequate natural light

• colleague to join you, or to expand your growing business?

Is it big enough for a work

An outbuilding is very much an asset when it comes to selling your property given the potential alternative uses they offer, from setting up a small business, use as a workshop, conversion into additional accommodation, as a home gym or even housing a classic car collection.

Galbraith can advise on how to present an outbuilding in the best possible light so that buyers can appreciate its potential for a variety of uses.

As estate agents, we are often asked what value outbuildings will add to the property and will they make a difference in the sale price. It is not easy to assign a monetary value to outbuildings but the role they play in attracting more interest and a higher premium over the asking price is not insignificant. When considered as part of the property package, additional outbuildings add a massive attraction for a purchaser and draw in interest, viewings and therefore offers.

A recent example of the draw of outbuildings was a smallholding sale in Perthshire. The property was made up of a small bungalow in need of work, paddocks, and a collection of good sized outbuildings. Without a doubt the majority of the interest from buyers was in the outbuildings and when the property went to a closing date, the competition was fierce from a variety of buyers from those looking to set up a garage workshop, others wanting to use them for stables and another looking for a space for storage.

Some of the quirky uses for outbuildings we’ve encountered include a dog grooming room, setting up a micro-brewery (or home brewery) and running a handpoured candle making business.

We can advise on how to seek the correct planning permission if required, as well as offer insight into the potential of an outbuilding or whether to invest in a new garden room, so please get in touch with your local Galbraith agent to discuss options. n

Iain Paterson

01738 451 111 iain.paterson@galbraithgroup.com