Building a backyard office, the build and cost breakdown

My experience building a backyard office was driven by the need for a better working environment as our toddler grew. We had a small house in Portland and decided against buying a new home, opting instead to invest in a backyard office. I explored two options: an Autonomous.ai prefab office Pod or building an office using a shed frame. The pod was more expensive, so I chose the shed conversion.

I used Tuff Shed for the main frame and customized the design through their online tool. After considering window sizes, I opted for larger openings. With an 8' by 10' size, I added a tall-ceiling Premier Pro Tall Ranch shed, a fully lit windowed door, 2 large windows (6' by 4' and 4' by 4'), a ridge vent, and house wrap. A concrete pad was necessary before installation, so I hired a concrete contractor.

Tuff Shed prefabricated the shed, which took about 5 hours to install. I ordered windows separately, installed them myself, and ran an Ethernet cable for fast internet. I planned to insulate and finish the space myself but opted for a contractor instead, as having a toddler limited my free time. I installed soffit vents and rafter vents for airflow, chose Smartcore Luxury Vinyl plank flooring and premium foam flooring underlayment, and had a professional install a mini-split HVAC system.