An office at home…

Paula Veysey Smith • 5 February 2018

An office at home

I am often asked about setting up an office at home and what costs can be claimed through the business. Many of us will work from home even if we have an office, myself included. So, over the next few weeks I’m going to explore the tax implications of working from home and what can and can’t be included! Today we will look at converting some of your home into an office.

The main building costs of any conversion at home, whether that be a loft or another room, will be treated as capital expenditure on your personal residence, so you won’t be able to put any of these costs through your business.

Your personal property will be owned by you personally, rather than being owned by your company, so the conversion work could not be treated as a business capital expense. Even if your property was owned by your company the conversion costs are going to be mainly of a capital nature which means that they are typically not eligible for tax relief. What I’m saying in plain terms is that the money spent on conversion CAN’T BE INCLUDED FOR TAX PURPOSES however you do it.

So, if you are considering converting any area there will be some specific expenses related to your new office that you can put through your company if they are 100% for your business office, these will typically include:

  • Office furniture – desks, chairs, lights, phones
  • Computer equipment
  • Shelving & storage
  • Carpet

To be safe make sure any of these items are invoiced to your company. If, for example, you are installing carpet in the whole area, you will need to ask the carpet provider to raise two invoices – one invoice addressed to your company for the element related to your new office and one addressed to you personally for the rest of the work.
It is a minefield which is why it is so important that you consult a professional when you consider setting up an office at home. Please do contact us is you have any questions.
Next week I will look at what expenses you can claim when you work from home…

R is for Reward

by Paula Veysey-Smith • 8 July 2026
The finish line isn't just a destination. It's proof of everything you put in to get there. “Nothing feels so good as when you've succeeded at something you set out to do.” We made it. Seven letters, seven posts, and one very important journey. If you've been following this series from the beginning, you'll know that back in January we started with a goal — a triathlon in July. And as I write this, sitting in the garden with an iced coffee and a medal around my neck, I can tell you: it happened.  R is for Reward. And it might just be my favourite letter of the lot.

E is for Evaluate

by Paula Veysey-Smith • 8 July 2026
Setting a goal is just the beginning. What keeps it alive — and keeps you moving towards it — is what you do in between. “Evaluating what you're doing is so important. What worked, what didn't, what can I do better?” We're six letters into the SMARTER framework now. We've covered Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. Today we reach E for Evaluate — and I'll be honest with you, I think this might be the most important letter of the lot.

T is for Time-Bound

by Paula Veysey-Smith • 26 June 2026
A goal without a deadline is just a wish with good intentions. Here's why putting a date on it changes everything. “Having that end date is something that gives you the enthusiasm, the commitment, and the motivation to continue.” We're now on T in the SMARTER Goals series - and this one is beautifully simple. T stands for Time-Bound, or Targets. It means giving your goal an end date.

R is for Relevant

by Paula Veysey-Smith • 26 June 2026
Short-term goals are more powerful when they're built towards something bigger. Here’s why relevance is what keeps you going when motivation dips. “Goals that are shorter term in nature, but built to a bigger vision, are the most motivating that you can get” So far in this series we've looked at S for Specific, M for Measurable, and A for Achievable. Now we come to R for Relevant -- and this one is about making sure your goals are connected to something that genuinely matters to you.
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