Home office considered vital for home workers
A HOME office in a dedicated room can add significant value to a property, according to research from Direct Line Home Insurance. Analysis of property listings across the UK found the average price of a home with an office is four per cent higher than equivalent properties in the area. Nearly two-thirds of home workers have set up their office in a shared or social space like a living or dining room. This blurring of work and home life is especially likely to affect young people, and nearly a quarter of younger workers barely move from their beds, having set up shop in their bedrooms. Given that one in seven home workers expect never to return to the office and 9.3million believe they will work from home at least some of the time, it is unsurprising that many are now looking at how their home can suit this lifestyle long term. Nearly 40 per cent of workers have already converted an existing space in their homes into an office during lockdown, with a similar number planning to make these changes in the next 12 months. Dan Simson, head of Direct Line Home Insurance, said: “Home working is likely to be in place for millions of people for a long time to come because of the pandemic. While lockdown is easing, many employers are already encouraging their workforce to work flexibly long term, to reduce numbers in the office for social distancing measures and to save on office costs.
“As their home office is likely to become a permanent fixture in their lives, it’s understandable many people are now starting to think about the changes and improvements they could make to their property to make home working more comfortable.
“As our research shows, not only does a dedicated office help a separation between work and home, it can also add significant value to a property. Anyone considering building work just needs to remember to inform their insurer before the work is carried out and update them on any additional rooms created so they have the correct level of cover.”