The backyard office market exploded after COVID. Suddenly everyone needed a workspace at home, and hundreds of “office pod” companies appeared overnight. Pods, cabins, flat-packs, shipping container conversions — all promising the dream of working from your backyard.
Some of them are genuinely useful. Many of them are expensive garden furniture. Here’s how they actually compare to a purpose-built steel frame office building.
The Numbers
A typical office pod: 10–15 m², pre-fabricated, delivered on a truck. Price: $12,000–$35,000 depending on size and finish. No plumbing. Minimal insulation. Usually exempt from council approval because it’s small enough to fly under the radar.
A steel frame office building: 40–200+ m², custom-designed, delivered as a structural kit. Kit price from $82,900 (for our Noosa model at 198 m²). Full plumbing capability. NCC-compliant insulation. Engineered with architectural and construction drawings for council approval.
On a per-square-metre basis:
- Pod: $1,200–$2,300/m²
- Steel frame kit (structure only): $400–$900/m²
The pod costs more per square metre for less building. Less space, less insulation, no plumbing, and no resale value.
When a Pod Makes Sense
Pods work when you need a small, self-contained space quickly and you don’t need plumbing. A solo desk, a screen, a chair, and quiet. If that’s all you need, a pod might be fine.
When a Pod Doesn’t Make Sense
You need plumbing. Bathroom, kitchenette, or any water connection. Pods don’t have it.
You see clients. A 10 m² pod with one desk isn’t a professional space. A separate building with a reception area, meeting space, and a bathroom is.
You need room to grow. A pod is the size it is. A steel frame building can be extended.
You want resale value. A permanent, engineered building adds value to your property. A pod sits on the grass and depreciates.
You work with equipment. Large monitors, standing desks, printers, filing — 10 m² fills up fast. 40+ m² gives you room to work properly.
The Separation Advantage
Both options give you physical separation from the house — and that’s the real benefit. The commute across the backyard. The door you close at 5pm. The space your family knows is “work”.
The difference is scale. A pod gives you a desk. A building gives you a workspace.