The current global pandemic has made one thing very clear – the workplace as we currently know it is going to change forever. If you’re now considering or already working from home, you’ll understand what I mean. This shift has illustrated the importance of a home office, something I believe has been a very overlooked and undervalued asset in the past.

 

Consider this – I live in Mt Gravatt East, only 13km from the city. If I worked in the city and could work from home for just two days a week, I could save up to $789.12 and 96 hours commuting a year. (See the table below)

Mode Cost (per day return trip) Total saving per year (working from home two days a week) Commute (per day return) Total time saving per year (working from home two days a week) Notes
Car $ 3.12 $ 299.52  60-120 minutes 48-96 hours Fuel cost averaged at $1.50p/L and assumed average fuel consumption of 8L/ 100km (excluding on road, maintenance costs and parking fees)
Bus $ 8.22 $ 789.12  100-120 minutes 80-96 hours Standard Rates as of 18/03/2020
Bicycle $ 0.00 $ 0.00  100-120 minutes 80-96 hours

So what does this mean?

Therefor, that’s an extra 96 hours a year I could spend with the family, exercising, taking up a hobby or investing in my own well being, rather than sitting in traffic. Plus, $700 odd spending money to boot! And that’s only the personal benefits. From a company perspective, many trials and studies have shown a marked increase in productivity and staff morale as a result of more flexible working conditions.

 

In addition there is the potential reduction on our congested infrastructure and public transport industries. According to the 2016 Australian Census, 80 per cent of people commute to work in a personal vehicle and 30 per cent of these, who are employed in Greater Brisbane, work in the inner city. That’s 240,000 Brisbane commuters heading into the city each and every day via their own vehicle.

 

In fact if just 25% of the inner-city workforce could work from home for two days a week, statistically we would see an average 10 per cent reduction in daily vehicle traffic, or 24,000 less vehicles on the road every day.

home office library with desk and library ladder

So, is it time you considered extending your home with a study or office space?

Our tip – make it big enough to use as a bedroom or multipurpose room should the need arise. Not only will you future-proof your home, you’ll significantly increase the value of the property too.

So, what would you need to work from home in your dream office?

Plenty of storage space is a must. Access to high speed internet is another necessity – working from home doesn’t mean complete isolation and many companies offer virtual offices with regular online video meetings. You’ll also require adequate lighting to ensure you remain productive and creative throughout the workday. Add a stylish desk, comfortable and supportive chair and some decor to inspire you, and you’ve got the perfect at-home office. For some more information about different extensions and budget pricing check out our previous blog post How much does a house extension cost? 

At Update Renovate, we offer a unique all-in-one design and construction service to remove the hassle and simplify your building journey. Get in touch with Kevin and Ray today to discuss your dream house and home office extension project. We’d love to help!

Ply library office with chair

Our Happy Client’s Kind Comments

The carpenters and all the tradies that came to our house where great. Most noteworthy, the plaster repairs are seamless and the tiling is terrific. Many thanks to Kevin, Leigh, Peta, Dave, Phil and everyone involved. We are very happy with our extension and have already recommended Update Renovate to a few friends and family.

Sally-Anne & Adrian Waller, Carindale