Backyard Office “Sheds” – the hot new WFH trend

September 30, 2022

Have your kids or cats invaded one too many zoom calls? Do you need to free up some precious interior space? A backyard office shed might be just the ticket.

How much does a backyard office shed cost? Do I need a permit to install an office shed in San Francisco? How long does it take to build a backyard shed? Read on to find out!

Permitting a Backyard Office Shed

Even in notoriously red-tape San Francisco, it’s surprisingly easy to build a shed of up to 100 square feet in your backyard. Get this: You might not even need a permit. (whaaaat?)

Yep, straight from the city website – no permits needed for:

One-story detached accessory buildings or structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, if the projected roof area is less than 100 square feet (9.29 m2) and no taller than 8 feet.

(of course, consult with your contractor and the local ordinances)

Check out these dreamy prefab backyard offices from local company Wllmade.

“The Lombard” Model from WllMade

“The Presidio” from WllMade

“The Lombard” model is just 100 square feet, which means no permit should be necessary in San Francisco. In many other Bay Area cities the larger, 120 sq ft “Presidio” or “Twin Peaks” models also might not need a permit.

Cost of Backyard Office Sheds

For a tricked-out prefab model from Wllmade, prices start at around $28,000 plus installation (around $9,500). A serious investment, but much less expensive than adding livable square footage onto the main house. Not to mention, well, they’re adorable.

You can also add on fun features like…

Heated floors

Skylights
Attached deck

…to customize your own work from home paradise.

Bonus: They’re having a summer sale so sheds are 10% off right now.

Visit their website to peep your options, then reach out for a consultation with the very fabulous Victoria, who can help you sort out the details. https://wllmade.com/

For a more affordable option with fewer bells and whistles, check out kits like this one, which you can order online (click for more info).

If you have a keen and creative design eye like our very own Cynthia Pagan (who jazzed up the one above), you can get up and running for just a few thousand dollars. Check out more pics of Cynthia’s backyard “He-Shed and She-Shed” in this beach cottage listing from last year. You can also customize this backyard shed with different colored roof shingles and flooring options.

Timing for Installing A Backyard Office Shed

Keep in mind that you’ll need to install a concrete slab for just about any long-term option you choose. Still, installing an office shed is probably faster than you think. Wllmade’s construction time is only about 5 days from foundation to completion. They are booked about 60-90 days out right now, so get in touch now for a shed by the end of the year.

Mail-order sheds will depend more on availability. As of publication the sheds in the link above were available in the Bay Area, and Shed Liquidators does delivery and installation, too.

Is a Backyard Office Shed A Good Investment?

In short – yes. As long as a large number of Bay Area homebuyers are working from home at least part-time, there will be a huge demand for home office space.

Looking to invest in Bay Area or San Francisco real estate? Pacific Edge Real Estate has your local experts on everything from backyard shed trends to top restaurants in the Sunset District. Contact them today to get started.