While we’ve all been spending more time at home lately, many of us are seeking out new usable spaces for work, leisure or relaxation. For commercial business owners and self-employed workers, the limited space within the home can be restricting and distracting, having a negative impact on your motivation and productivity.
The good news is you no longer need to be tied to expensive high street retail units or hot-desking workspaces. If your home has a garden, expanding into this area with a custom-built, high-quality garden room will not only save rent money, but also allow you to create a space that really reflects your tastes and business ethos.
One type of commercial business which could benefit from this new approach to home working is pet grooming salons. In this guide, we explain why you should base your pet grooming business in your garden, how to plan for this and how the Garden Retreats pod meets all your needs.
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Why set up a pet grooming business in your garden?
If you love animals and are looking for a way to branch out into a new business, or if you have been previously employed in a high street pet grooming salon, now could be the time to take your career into your own hands.
By setting up a professional pet grooming business in your garden, you can establish lasting professional relationships with people in your community while working with those you already know. This can build up great ties with your neighbours and friends who live locally.
Meanwhile, you will be enjoying the benefits of not having to commute or being tied into a nine to five schedule. This means you could have more free time for family and other personal pursuits, or at least be able to build a healthy work-life balance that suits your lifestyle and professional schedule.
Unlike hiring out an expensive high street space, you will be able to design and decorate your garden room to reflect your business’s needs and branding. Not only will you create a strong visual brand that is instantly recognisable to your clients, but you can also expand your space as your business grows (but more on that later).
Planning a dog grooming parlour in your garden
It may feel like a large undertaking, but opening a pet grooming business in your garden is a lot easier with the proper planning.
Firstly, you will need to take into consideration what size of the room you will need. You need to ensure that there is enough space for specialist equipment such as a bath and grooming table in designated areas for washing, drying and grooming. You will probably be working with animals of varying sizes, so your workspace should allow you and your clients to move around freely without bumping into anything.
You should also think about how many animals you can reasonably accommodate in the building at a time, and you may want a separate ‘waiting room’ for animals that are being dropped off or picked up by their owners. You will also need to think about the basics, such as keeping yourself and the animal warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
There are also legal requirements to consider as well. You will need to register your business on Companies House if you haven’t already, and should familiarise yourself with the Animal Welfare Act so that you understand the law regarding animal handling and the welfare of your clients. While qualification is not necessary to become a dog groomer, having done a course in caring for animals and plenty of experience is suggested.
It would help if you also made yourself aware of the regulations regarding the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. Since you will be handling sprays and shampoos, you will need to ensure these are safe for you, your clients and any staff you may take on.
The Garden Retreats pod
When planning your perfect garden room for your pet grooming business, look no further than the Garden Retreats pod. These modular pods come in three sizes, each accordingly priced so you can choose the exact size you need. Because of this modularity, you can add more pods if you need the extra space and even take them with you if you move to a new house. Our pods also come with a 25-year warranty so that you can enjoy peace of mind.
These pods are made from carbon fibre rather than wood, so they will not expand or deteriorate as time goes on and are clad in a composite material. This means that they will not cause condensation and require zero maintenance to keep them in good condition.
You can design your pod to suit your needs. With your choice of bifold or patio doors, wipe-clean wall panelling and floor tiling in a range of styles and colours as standard, setting up a pet grooming salon in your garden couldn’t be simpler.
You don’t even need to worry about the technical details, either—all the essentials such as foundations, electrics (sockets with USB ports, internal and external spotlights and a hook-up point for mains) and smartphone-controlled heating are included. There is also the option of having a roof terrace with a spiral staircase and decking.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ground preparation process for a garden room?
Like with any building, ground preparation is required for a garden room. To do this, you should level the ground, ensuring that there are no roots, rocks, or other materials that could disrupt the foundations of your building.
What kind of base do you need for a garden room?
A base for a garden room should be concrete to support the foundations of the room.