A real office in your backyard
Your commute: 30 seconds.
Free lot check · no obligation · 2-year warranty
home stays home.
Where do you actually work best?
Spare room, office downtown — or a studio in the yard?
27.6% of paid workdays in the Bay Area are now worked from home (WFH Research, Sept 2026). The real question is where you work them.
* Average one-way commute in the San Jose metro is 27.5 minutes (32.7 in San Francisco–Oakland) — U.S. Census ACS 2024. Hours shown = 27.5 min × 2 × 230 workdays.
One studio, many lives
Office by day. Whatever you need after 5.
Home office
A desk by the glass door, real quiet for deep work and video calls.
Gym & yoga
Room for a bike, a rack or a mat — no more driving to the gym.
Art, music or podcast studio
Make noise or make a mess — it's separate from the house.
Hobby & reading room
Crafts, puzzles, a reading chair — a quiet place that's only yours.
The Backyard Studio
One studio, two layouts
8′ × 15′ outside, 120 sq ft, 8′2″ ceiling. A workspace — not living space: no kitchen or shower, so it stays an office, studio or gym.
Open studio
120 sq ft · one open room · glass door onto a covered deck
- Office, gym, art or music studio
- Recessed LED lighting, 2 outdoor sconces
- Waterproof vinyl plank floor, smooth drywall
Studio + half bath
Same 8′ × 15′ footprint · en-suite toilet and sink
- No running back to the house all day
- Plumbing hook-up and permits handled by us
- Not a dwelling — no kitchen or shower
Make it yours
Add to either configuration
- Mini-split for heating and cooling
- Solar panels on the included solar-ready frame
- Ask us about other upgrades for your project
Foundation, utility hook-ups, delivery, crane and permits included — fixed in writing before you sign. Launch pricing through December 31, 2026. See full specs →
Designed for focus
Built for long days of good work
Floor-to-ceiling glass door and casement windows — daylight on your desk, green view on your screen breaks.
Steel shell, insulated walls, LED lighting and an optional mini-split for year-round comfort.
Utility hook-ups are part of the all-in price — the studio arrives ready for your desk, screens and gear.
Waterproof vinyl plank floor, smooth drywall, corten steel and wood exterior.
A mounting frame for solar panels is included — add panels now or later.
Every studio has a 2-year limited warranty on materials and workmanship.
The numbers
An investment, not an expense
Write off the right way
Self-employed? The IRS lets you deduct expenses for a separate free-standing studio used exclusively and regularly for your business — it doesn't even have to be your main workplace (IRS Pub. 587). W-2 employees can't take it. Ask your tax pro.
Adds to your property
A permitted, factory-built studio is a permanent improvement to your home — not a garden shed. Only the new structure's value is added to your property tax.
Pays back in time and money
No commute costs, no coworking fees, no gym membership if it doubles as your gym. And a permanent studio can add appeal when you sell.
Honest answers
Before you decide
“Do I need a permit?”
Usually some paperwork, yes — especially with electrical and a half bath. Rules differ by city; we check yours during the free lot check and handle every permit that's required.
“Will it be too hot or cold?”
The steel shell is insulated and finished inside like a room in your house. Add the optional mini-split for heating and cooling.
“Will my yard be torn up for months?”
No. The studio is built in our Lathrop factory while the foundation is prepared, then delivered and installed in about a week.
“Can someone live or sleep in it?”
No. The Backyard Studio is a non-residential workspace — no kitchen, no shower — so it can't be used as living space. That also keeps permits simpler.
“How long until I can work in it?”
Typically 4–6 months from signing, including permits. Installation itself takes about a week.
“Is it a real building or a shed?”
A real building: steel modular construction, finished interior, permanent foundation and utility hook-ups, plus a 2-year warranty.
Backyard office questions
More in our FAQ, or call (209) 214-6845.
How much does a backyard office cost?
Our Backyard Studio is $75,900 all-in — foundation, utility hook-ups, delivery, crane and any permits your city requires included. Launch pricing (30% off our published home prices) runs through December 31, 2026.
Do I need a permit for a backyard office in California?
California lets a one-story detached structure up to 120 sq ft skip the building permit, but electrical and plumbing work still need permits, and cities add their own rules. We check yours and handle every permit that's required.
Is a backyard studio an ADU?
Not without a kitchen. California defines an ADU as a unit with complete independent living facilities, including cooking. Our Backyard Studio is a non-residential accessory studio — a workspace, not a dwelling.
Can I deduct a backyard office on my taxes?
If you're self-employed and use it exclusively and regularly for your business, yes — IRS Publication 587 allows a separate free-standing structure such as a studio. W-2 employees can't deduct a home office. Talk to your tax professional.
How big is the Backyard Studio?
120 sq ft: 8′ × 15′ outside, about 7′2″ × 12′1½″ inside with an 8′2″ ceiling, plus a covered deck at the entry.
Can I add a bathroom or air conditioning?
Yes. The Backyard Studio comes as an open studio or with an en-suite half bath, and a mini-split for heating and cooling is optional.
How long does it take?
Four to six months from signing to keys. The studio is built in our factory while your site is prepared; installation takes about a week.
Can I use it as a gym or music studio?
Yes — it's one open room. Owners use it as an office, gym, yoga room, art or music studio.
Free · no obligation
Your best workday starts 30 seconds from home
Tell us how you'll use it. We'll check where it fits in your yard and send a fixed all-in price — permits and installation included.
HCD-approved plans (#1585366) · 2-year warranty · factory in Lathrop, CA
- 1Free call & lot checkWhere it fits, power and permits
- 2Pick size & optionsHalf bath, mini-split, finishes
- 3Work from your yardInstalled in about a week
Sources: WFH Research / SWAA (Sept 2026); U.S. Census ACS 2024 1-year (mean travel time to work); IRS Publication 587 (2025); California Residential Code R105.2 (2025); Gov. Code §66313. General information, not tax or legal advice. Updated October 2026.