Farm Office ideas

ollie989898 said:

There are a few houses about now that have that composite timber lookalike cladding I presume because the developers have used external insulation and need something to hide it behind. It doesn't rot or need painting so may be worth a look. Could be matched to UPVC or aluminium windows etc. I guess brick or stone or even painted render etc would fit with it if it was all done carefully. An architect might be able to design something for not stupid money.

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PI Stsker said:

Question as above, what’s your set up?

currently have an office in the house which isn’t horrendous but does mean there’s a mess all the time and it’s not really big enough. Plus I’d like to turn it back in to a dining room!

first thought was a site office type thing but would like it not to be an eye soar. I do tend to spend quite allot of time in the office doing not only the farm bits and pieces but I run another Buisness too which is 90% office based so wants to be big enough and comfy enough I want to be in there.

I then stumbled over timber framed garage type things with over head room. Kills several birds with one stone, it’s ascetically pleasing, gives us a garage type arrangement to put the cars and some logs etc under dry storage and has an over head office.

Anyone use similar, or have a better idea? I’m aware the garage idea isn’t going to be as cheap or quick as a container type arrangement but I’d rather spend the money on something nice that will last and not look like something off a building site.

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ollie989898 said:

The second anyone was working part or full time in an office space I would want it separate from the house as well so they can come and go without involving me whatsoever. I get your thinking. By the sounds of it a standalone building with possible easy extension in future would be warranted.

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Toilet and welfare facilities in agriculture​

• clean, well-ventilated toilets;
• wash basins with hot and cold (or warm) running water, soap and towels (or a hand dryer);
• portable toilet and washing facilities for workers working away from base;
• changing facilities where special clothing is worn;
• drinking water; and
• somewhere to rest and eat meals.

Use of toilet and washing facilities within dwellings​

• the home is located on, or very close to, the site;
• the facilities are accessible from the outside, eg with no need to enter the house, and the washing facilities are not in areas used for food preparation;
• the facilities are available during working hours, even if the occupant of the house is out; and
• there are agreed arrangements, for replenishing paper, soap, towels, etc and cleaning the toilets and washing facilities.

• proper arrangements, preferably in writing, and including replenishment of soap, paper, cleaning, etc, are agreed with staff; and
• employees are content with the arrangements; and
• management appear to have the ability and will to make the arrangements work properly.

PI Stsker said:

Farming in general is miles and miles behind on H&S compared to other industries. Compared to the lorry’s the H&S involved just to get them in to a quarry is insane, PPE, inductions, courses, training etc.

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Suffolk Serf said:

Don't forget that through having your farm office in the house you can put a portion of otherwise domestic expenses through the business, such as heating, electricity etc.

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PI Stsker said:

Bear in mind drivers arnt allowed out of the cab unless escorted by quarry employees, the drivers still need full high viz top and bottom, hard hat, glasses, lace up boots etc. along with a generic safety course; site specific safety brief etc .
In regard to it going wrong in a big way I’d argue if you were hit by a 100t dumper or the 100hp feeder tractor at home on the farm, your not going to be having a great day.

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PI Stsker said:

Yeah you got it in one. Been a fair few years since I’ve been in myself but the amount of risk assessments, method statements, consent forms and everything else I’ve got to sign I can’t imagine it’s got any less stringent.

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ollie989898 said:

Security and size would surely be two key considerations. I don't know what businesses you run or are involved with but it may pay to have a larger office space than first thought in case you forsee a need to employ additional people who also require an office space. I know of one farm, just as an example, where the foreman had his own office cubicle, with computer and IP phone/answer phone etc so he could liaise with grain merchants for corn collections, fert deliveries and the agronomist. The farmer had near zero involvement with any of this himself.

I do like the look of that combined office and car garage thing. It doesn't need to be oak framed or actually fancy- two oak legs at the front could hold up an otherwise conventional office building made of beams, brick or blocks with insulation and composite or oak or whatever boarding over the top. Roof of tiles to suit/match with surrounding buildings.

You'll never have too much natural light in an office space so floor to ceiling windows or skylights may be desirable. If it's insulated, window'ed and door'ed properly attaching an air con unit to the side/rear won't be daft expensive to run.

Kitchen, bait room and loo +/- shower or wet room may be desirable for those with dogs/livestock.

Laying a conduit to the new building before it its built to carry fibre/RJ45, leccy, phone extension from the house, etc may be useful.

I dare say following the cancellation of HS2 there will be a fair few portacabins or welfare units looking for homes in the near future.

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Stroppymonkey said:

Temporary means it gets around planning. A good well built and well maintained portacabin should last at least 25 plus years. Usually its the roofs that let them down. My old log cabin office is nearly 20 years old and I've moved house with that 4 times!

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