You may not have set foot in it for years, it may be full of tools and garden equipment. But did you know that wooden shack at the bottom of your garden could make you some extra money?
There are many ways to make money from your home, and your shed is just one of many spaces in your humble abode which could make you money.
We delved into the intriguing world of shed-working and there are many possibilities for transforming your dilapidated shed into a lucrative source of income.
Shed working
Using your shed for anything other than storing gardening tools may seem strange. But many people have turned theirs into a productive alternative workplace. There are even whole websites dedicated to doing this!
Shedworking.co.uk is a great guide for people who work in garden offices and other spaces. The curiosity around shed working has increased exponentially. In fact, there are some suggestions those who work from their sheds contribute a whopping £6.1 billion to the UK economy. Based on findings from a poll of Shedworking.co.uk users revealed a few interesting statistics surrounding shed-based businesses:
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The average turnover of a shed-based business in the last financial year was £76,449
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An estimated 80,000 workers are thought to be based in garden sheds and outbuildings in the UK
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More than half of shed-based businesses (61.3%) are run by sole traders, with 32.3% employing 2-5 workers
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Of the more than 500 shed workers polled, 74% said that they planned to remain in their sheds indefinitely
Shed-based businesses to consider
Here are a few ideas of businesses you can run from your shed:
Brewery
Hop onto the craft beer bandwagon by turning your shed into a bespoke brewery. If you don’t have one, you could always invest in a fully kitted Brewery Shed.
Once you’re ready to expand operations, you may want to consider investing in a brewery management software that can help you to streamline your operations, improve your efficiency, and track your inventory. This can be a great way to ensure that your brewery is running smoothly and that you are able to meet the demands of your growing customer base.
Creative studio
Whether you’re a designer, jewellery-maker, artist or writer, you’ll know that having an inspiring place to work in does wonders for the creative process. And what better setting than your very own garden? In fact, transforming sheds into studios has been popular among creatives for a very long time.
List it on Airbnb
As with pop-up restaurants, people are always on the look-out for something quaint and interesting when trawling Airbnb. Give your shed a good spring cleaning and then kit it out for guests. Bear in mind that this would require installing a toilet and shower, but possibly also a kitchenette. Read our article on how to make and save money by renting.
Urban chicken coop
Firstly, this is probably not a good idea for anyone with neighbours living very close by. However, if you have a larger garden with some extra space, running your own chicken coop and selling ‘farm’-fresh eggs could become a roaring business. Read our guide on how to keep your own chickens
Location for shoots
If your shed is full of character, maybe it’s cute and well-kept or run-down and creepy, you could offer it as a location for film sets or photo shoots. This would involve a lot of foot traffic through your house and garden. But the money earned can be well worth it. Read our guide to renting out your home as a film set for more details.
Garden office
Toying with the idea of working from home full-time? Instead of trying to have your guest bedroom double as an office, you could always repurpose your shed.
Dog grooming business
This is a great idea if you love animals and have a big, secure garden where dogs can roam around freely and safely. To set up a doggie parlour in your shed, you will need a reliable water supply, a large bath/basin or two, and a sturdy table for drying, cutting and trimming their coats.
Yoga studio
If you’ve always dreamed of running your own wellness retreat, you don’t have to look much further than your back garden. Since you probably won’t be able to accommodate too many people at a time, your unique angle can be exclusivity. The main objective here is to create a space that is airy, welcoming and serene. Consider adding a window or two, as well as air conditioning and heating to keep the temperature mild throughout the year.
Storage space
Finally, you can always make money by using your shed for its intended purpose; storage. However, instead of stashing your own stuff away in there, you will be helping other people out by keeping theirs safe. Read more about making money by renting out parts of your home for storage.
Transforming your shed
Before you can start making money from your shed, however, you’re probably going to have to spend a fair amount on transforming it. Here are just a few things to consider:
Power
No matter what kind of business you run from you shed, you’re going to need electricity. Unless you’re a qualified electrician or have a natural affinity for these sorts of things, it’s probably best to get professional help. After all, you don’t want ongoing power troubles to interrupt your work or, even worse, an unfortunate accident to cast a shadow over your new venture.
Heating and air-con
Unless you’re running something like a yoga studio, installing heating or air-con is more of a nice-to-have. For most businesses, a heater will do the job in winter and a fan in summer.
Wi-Fi
If you’re running any desk-based business, you’ll need an internet connection. However, if the whole idea is to escape distractions, you may want to avoid it altogether.
Tools of your trade
Of course, you’re going to need to kit your shed out fully to support your business. So, if you’re using it as the base for your catering enterprise, you’ll need a safe, clean and spacious kitchen setup. If you’re designing and sewing wedding dresses, you’ll need a large sewing table, good lighting and plenty of storage space for fabrics.
The best thing to do is make a comprehensive list of all the necessities, followed by a list of things that could add value. Once you’ve ticked off all the former, you can move into your new shed-working space and add the rest as you go.
Rules and regulations
Finally, if you’re going to be running any sort of retail, catering or food and beverage business from your home, you’ll need to check with your local authority about any zoning regulations. Also, if you’re going to be working with food at all you will need to comply with health and safety regulations, as well as apply for certain licenses. The Food Standards Agency has a comprehensive start-up document to help you out.
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Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice. Anyone thinking of investing should conduct their own due diligence.
