All in a day’s work
Twenty years ago, Gary Doski built his own home and included an office. The general contractor and owner of Doski Building and Remodeling in Newtown was told then by others in the industry that his office gave his house no resale value.
“Today, it’s a plus,” he said. “Today, it’s in demand.”
You know that the home office has been elevated in esteem when even Fisher-Price gets into the act. The American company known for producing educational toys has acknowledged the new “normal” of working from home by introducing an eight-piece “My HomeOffice” play set.
For months, the worldwide pandemic, caused by the COVID-19 virus, forced millions of Americans from their usual workplace routines. Those whowere not furloughed or laid off had to quickly adapt to working from home, whether they had a designated office space in their house or not. Some have since returned to their company office, after lockdown regulations were eased under guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control, while many others continue to telecommute.
Whether by design, fear, or convenience, it looks like thework-at-home trendmay be here to stay, and that is reflected in the overwhelming number of calls coming into architects, contractors, and interior designers. “It’s unprecedented. I’ve been in the business forty years. Now, instead of getting two calls a week ( for remodeling projects) we’re getting two and three calls a day,” Doski said.
In some cases, there may be an existing office in a home but the owners need a second office for a spouse. They may also need a specific place for their children to distance learn and study. An existing office could need renovating to accommodate another person or to function more efficiently, said Susan Corvo, an interior designer and owner of Susan Corvo Redesign in Fairfield.
Corvo said homeowners could take the formal dining room that they use only twice a year — and perhaps not at all this year as social distancing recommendations remain in place — and convert it into a home office. “Make sure it’s got good light and paint it the right color. It’s got to be comfortable. Most important, I tell people, get the right chair,” she said. “And don’t sacrifice form for function. Make sure the office is located in a section of the house where there are few distractions … the ability to concentrate on the tasks at hand is imperative.”
AlthoughDoski and Corvo get plenty of requests to create office spaces in garages and basements, both suggest a place in the house where there is ample natural light or the ability to install good lighting fixtures. “On a Zoom call, you don’t want to look like you’re in the dark,” Corvo said, adding, “Give yourself a view. Don’t stick yourself in the basement if you can help it because you’re there for eight to ten hours a day.”
To accommodate modern technology, Doski encourages homeowners to determine what devices they will need or be required to use in a home office. Additionally, homeowners shouldmake sure they have the correct electrical circuitry and adequate number, and advantageous placement, of outlets. Further, he said, follow the appropriate permitting process with your localmunicipality for the renovation work. Permits are required for interior projects, contrary to what some people think, he said. It will save headaches, and possible nightmares, later on.
“Who’s going to do the electrical work? Is the contractor going to do it himself or hire a licensed electrician? Is it going to be done right? Who’s there to check that the electrician does it right? That’s what the building inspector is for,” Doski said.
Before determining the placement of electrical outlets, owners must determine the amount of space they need to effectively perform their job responsibilities and what area of the housewill be renovated or converted to office space. In some instances, size may matter. Perhaps someone’s job requires the need for built-in bookshelves and cabinetry for lots of paper files; another homeowner, however, might be able to conduct his or herwork in a small spacewith little more than a desk.
“When you think about the actual function of an office, what you’re using it for, the size can fluctuate quite a bit,” Doski said.
“It could be a closet. There are a lot of options,” Corvo said. There are people who have put to good use a wide landing, an attic, a reading nook, transforming them into offices and homework stations.
There are other clever options, as with the antique Federal/Greek Revival Colonial house, which is currently for sale and is located at 98 Banks Place in Southport. During a recent major renovation, the owners created what they call their “ultimateworkfrom-home office,” which doubles as a guest room with two customMurphy beds hidden in the wall panels.