As the COVID-19 pandemic has turned the world upside-down this year and changed the way we live and work, one of the biggest changes to society is that most people are now working from home. However, this is something that looks set to continue beyond the pandemic.
According to a report titled ‘Homeworking in the UK: before and during the 2020 lockdown’, before the start of the pandemic, just 6% of employees in the UK worked from home. That rose to 43 percent in April, with results indicating that productivity mostly remained stable compared with the 6 months before. The report also found that 9 out of 10 people in the UK who have worked from home during the coronavirus lockdown want to continue doing so.
This is just as well because a survey of just under 1,000 firms by the Institute of Directors (IoD) showed that 74% plan on maintaining home working and more than half planned on reducing their long-term use of workplaces. While a smaller survey of bosses whose firms had already cut work space use, suggested 44% of them thought working from home was proving “more effective”.
As many people are saving on the cost of commuting as well as the commuting time by working from home, it is no surprise that many want to continue this way of working. It is also providing many people with a better work-life balance as they are home earlier and get to spend more time with their families. However, if this is going to be a more permanent solution for many people, then working at the kitchen table isn’t going to suffice, nor is living in a shared house with six people fighting for space and a quiet environment. For those people who have huge gardens or live out in the countryside and have outbuildings which can be converted, there are plenty of options for home offices. However, for those who live in London, this can be a little trickier.
However, while space may be in short supply in London, something that should not be overlooked is the amount of useable roof space, which is ideal for the regeneration of existing residential areas and added value for residents as the need for space accelerates.
With the UK’s housing shortage reaching critical levels, particularly in London, planners are urging property owners to build upwards to reach the ever-growing property demand. As supported by the Mayor of London, the initiative is viable for residential or commercial properties. With the rapid rise in home working, offering more freedom and flexibility, people are looking for more living space and greener environments.
As more and more people decide they want to work from home, the requirement for domestic space increases too. While many people see the solution as moving out cities to smaller villages with domestic space, this isn’t an option for everyone and also isn’t the best option for London and other large cities. It is far better to look into urban regeneration projects because if everything else is changing due to the pandemic, then London and larger cities must change too to make the most of what they have to offer.
BRAC Developments can help you to release the biggest asset you have right now.
We realise the potential of your building’s roof space and specialise in the redevelopment of flat roofs above existing residential and commercial buildings.
Get in touch today to discuss your project. Why not call us on 01268 573933 or send a message to enquiries@brac-contracts.co.uk. Further information about our full service range can be found on our website.
“We had a tight programme for a technically challenging project and BRAC Contracts managed the project from start to finish meeting our deadlines and delivering an excellent end result. It was an enjoyable experience working with such professionals”.
Andy Lovesey – Queensmead School
SPACE have contracted BRAC on a number of occasions, they are a pleasure to work with , highly professional, they care about the detail and offer a value for money service. The BRAC team have a positive, can-do attitude and find solutions to any challenge. We recommend them highly.
Anna Harding – Chief Executive SPACE
The quality of the works undertaken by BRAC for the new Woolwich Ferry Operations office has been most impressive, as has been the efforts by all the construction team to ensure an on schedule and on budget completion.
Mark Willbourn – Briggs Marine Contractors Ltd
