10 ways to update your home on a budget

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9. PUT A STUDIO OR OFFICE IN AN OUTBUILDING
Cost: $25 to $75 a square foot
Cost: $25 to $75 a square foot
Its not uncommon to add a studio or office space to the second floor of an existing two-story garage, but a newer trend is to create a separate work space in an outbuilding on your property, from a shed or cabana to a barn or well-built chicken coop. You can even erect a new outbuilding, as long as you live in a suburban or rural area with a large lot, since zoning can be a sticking point otherwise. But if you have the space and you often telecommute, an office thats home but not home, as Dangel puts it, can be a worthwhile investment.