Backyard Office Series · EdsBackyardBuilds.com
A Real Office. Thirty Steps
From Your Back Door.
The Backyard Office series is built for the professional who needs a dedicated workspace that separates work from home — not a converted corner of the garage, not a desk in the bedroom.
This is a purpose-built, site-constructed Appalachian Elite structure engineered for year-round use, privacy, and the kind of focused productivity that four walls and a door actually provide.
"The moment I stopped working from the kitchen table and moved into the backyard office, everything changed. I didn't realize how much the house was bleeding into my work until it wasn't."
— Greater Cincinnati homeowner, Backyard Office series
Is This Series Right For You?
Built For Focused Work.
Not Every Situation Is the Same.
The Backyard Office series fits a specific kind of need. Here's an honest look at who it serves well — and what to consider if your situation is different.
This Series Is a Strong Fit If —
- You work from home full-time or several days per week
- You need a dedicated space for client calls or video meetings
- You share a home with family and need physical separation from household activity
- You want a structure that reads as a permanent architectural addition to your property
- You intend to add electrical service coordinated through Ed's licensed trade partners
- You value a 30-year structural warranty and site-built quality over price-first alternatives
Worth Considering First —
- If occasional work-from-home is your need, the Garden Storage series may offer better value
- If you need sleeping quarters for a guest or family member, consider the Bunkie or Guest Suite series
- If heavy equipment or power tools are the primary use, the Workshop series is purpose-built for that load
- HOA restrictions in some communities may limit structure size — confirm before ordering
Structural Standards · Every Backyard Office Build
What's Inside the Walls
Is What Separates a Decade From a Generation.
Every Backyard Office is built to the full Appalachian Elite structural standard — no downgrades for smaller footprints, no substitutions based on price point. These are the specs Ed builds to on every structure, every time.
- Foundation: 6×6 YellaWood® pressure-treated grade beams + moisture barrier + adjustable leveling system — accounts for grade variation across your specific site.
- Floor system: 2×6 pressure-treated joists at 16" on center + double center beam + 3/4" 7-ply pressure-treated plywood subfloor — never OSB.
- Wall framing: 2×6 kiln-dried studs at 16" on center + interlocking double top plate — insulation-ready without modification.
- Wall sheathing: 1/2" pressure-treated sheathing throughout — not OSB, not standard untreated.
- Roof structure: Custom-cut 2×6 rafters or steel-plated engineered trusses, configuration-dependent, with 6" overhangs, hurricane ties, and 1/2" roof sheathing.
- Roofline: Appalachian Elite steep pitch — steeper and taller than standard shed profile for superior drainage and headroom.
- Windows: Oversized, operable — sized for natural light and cross-ventilation in a working environment.
- Exterior shutters: Matched to window sizing — structural appearance, not decorative.
- Gable vents + extended eaves: Passive ventilation system for year-round interior temperature management.
- Siding: LP SmartSide® engineered wood siding — standard on all Appalachian Elite builds.
- Exterior finish: Primed — finish coats not included. All wood surfaces must be sealed within 30 days.
- Interior: Structure is 100% finish-ready. Interior finishes, insulation installation, and flooring not included in standard build.
- Dimensions: ±2" tolerance — standard for site-built construction.
Electrical — Upgrade Option
Electrical service is not included in the standard Backyard Office build price. It is available as a coordinated upgrade through Ed's vetted, licensed trade partners — pricing depends on panel proximity, load requirements, and your municipality's permitting process. Ed manages the coordination. You are never left to source an electrician independently. Ask about electrical at the time of your site visit.
Size Configurations · Backyard Office Series
Three Footprints.
One Build Standard.
Select the configuration that fits your site, your workflow, and your budget. Every size is built to the same Appalachian Elite structural standard — the footprint changes, the craftsmanship doesn't.
Pricing shown is starting price for standard configuration. Electrical, interior finishes, and site-specific foundation work are priced separately. All pricing confirmed at proposal stage — no surprises.
10 × 12
120 Square Feet
The minimal-footprint office. Ideal for a single workstation, a focused writing or consulting space, or any property where site constraints limit a larger build. HOA-friendly in most Greater Cincinnati municipalities.
12 × 16
192 Square Feet
The sweet spot for most professional home office needs. Room for a full desk setup, a small meeting area or second workstation, and built-in storage. Sufficient headroom and window placement for all-day working comfort.
14 × 20
280 Square Feet
The full executive configuration. Dual workstation capacity, dedicated storage wall, and room for a small client seating area. Built for the professional who works from home as a primary office — not an occasional convenience.
How It Works · Backyard Office Series
From First Call to First Day
in Your New Office.
Every Backyard Office build follows the same six-step process. No subcontractors for structural work. No surprises in the proposal. Ed and his sons on site from foundation to finish.
Step 01
Call or Email Ed Directly
Describe your workspace vision, your site, and your timeline. Ed answers — not a call center.
Step 02
On-Site Assessment
Ed visits to assess grade, drainage, access, and setbacks. Electrical proximity is noted here if applicable.
Step 03
Written Proposal
Line-item pricing. Every material specified. Electrical upgrade priced separately and clearly. No lump sums.
Step 04
Permits
Homeowner's responsibility — Ed provides the exact roadmap for your municipality. We handle everything else.
Step 05
The Build
Ed, Randall, and Travis on site. Every structural element built by hand. Licensed electrician coordinated by Ed if selected.
Step 06
Completion Walkthrough
Every detail reviewed with you. Warranty documentation delivered. 30-day sealing reminder confirmed in writing.
Backyard Office Questions · EdsBackyardBuilds.com
Questions Specific to the
Backyard Office Series.
These are the questions we hear most often from homeowners considering a dedicated workspace. Answers are specific to this series — for general build process questions, see the homepage FAQ.
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Yes — and the structure is specifically designed to support it. The 2×6 wall framing provides a full 5.5" cavity for insulation, which is the same depth used in residential construction for effective thermal performance. The roof structure, floor system, and sheathing are all specified with year-round use in mind.
Insulation installation and HVAC or mini-split systems are not included in the standard build price — they are coordinated as upgrade options through Ed's licensed trade partners. Discuss your climate control requirements at the initial consultation so they can be factored into the site assessment and electrical planning.
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Electrical cost varies significantly based on three factors: distance from your home's main panel, the load requirements of your intended use, and your municipality's permitting and inspection requirements.
A straightforward sub-panel run for a 12×16 office within 50 feet of the main panel typically ranges from $1,500–$3,500 installed by a licensed electrician. More complex runs or higher load requirements can exceed that range. Ed's trade partners provide firm quotes — not estimates — before any electrical work begins.
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Not in its standard configuration. The Backyard Office series does not include plumbing, sleeping quarters, or kitchen facilities — the defining characteristics of an ADU under most municipal definitions. It is classified as an accessory structure in most Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Ohio Valley jurisdictions.
If you need a structure that qualifies as an ADU or includes sleeping and living provisions, the Guest Suite series is the appropriate configuration. Permit classification varies by municipality — Ed will clarify what applies to your specific site during the site assessment.
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Structural build time for a Backyard Office is typically 5–10 business days on site depending on configuration size and weather. The longer variable is the front end: permit processing times vary by municipality, and material lead times are confirmed at the proposal stage.
If electrical service is included, the licensed trade partner's schedule is coordinated by Ed to follow immediately after structural completion — typically adding 1–3 days. Total timeline from signed contract to completed structure is most commonly 6–10 weeks, with permit processing being the primary variable.
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Site-built accessory structures with permanent foundations generally contribute positively to assessed property value — though the specific impact depends on your municipality's assessment methodology, the structure's size, and how it's permitted. A well-built, permitted backyard office is an asset on an appraisal in a way that a prefab shed on blocks is not.
We recommend consulting your county auditor's office or a local real estate appraiser for jurisdiction-specific guidance. Ed is not a property appraiser and will not speculate on value impact — but he will ensure the structure is built to a standard that supports a positive assessment outcome.
Ready to Start · EdsBackyardBuilds.com
Your Backyard Office
Starts With One Conversation.
No forms that disappear into a queue. No automated replies. Call or email Ed directly — Greater Cincinnati and Ohio Valley homeowners reach him personally.
Serving Greater Cincinnati · Northern Kentucky · Dayton · Columbus · Lexington · Southeast Indiana