There are few people in the UK who wouldn’t dream of having their own garden room – an insulated, stylish space to relax, write or work. They are a relatively inexpensive way to add value to your property and, as long as they are built within certain height restrictions, can be built without planning permission though you’ll still need to check with your local authority.
The first step is to decide what you’d like to use it for, and how much you can afford to spend. This will narrow down your options and help you to compare prices. A good place to start is to look at the websites of the companies that you’re considering, which will feature images and details of the different designs they offer. Some will also have a bespoke design tool, allowing you to tailor the size, layout and features of your new room.
Choosing a company garden room companies near me is a big decision, and it’s worth seeking referrals from friends and family who have bought a garden room in the past. Once you’ve narrowed down your choice, it’s time to move on to initial design consultations and formal quotes. Typically, people will get quotes from three or four companies to compare and contrast. Any more than that and you risk muddying the water and wasting your time.
Once you’ve finalised your design, it’s usually worth getting a base price from the company, and this will help you to understand how much your final build is likely to cost. It’s important to remember that this doesn’t include the price of installing electricity, which is usually a separate job undertaken by a qualified electrician.
Most companies will then begin the building process, which may involve constructing the modules in their workshops and then delivering them to your site to be assembled. Some companies use SIPs panels, which reduce the amount of on-site construction time and can deliver a finished building in about eight weeks from placing your order. Others may construct the entire structure on-site, craning it into position.
It’s worth checking the materials that your new building is constructed from. Some manufacturers, such as Green Retreats, have been praised for their commitment to eco-friendly construction, and others are able to provide cladding and other finishes that can achieve Green Ratings.
It’s also important to think about whether your new garden building will need heating and insulation. In the summer, a well-positioned and shaded garden room should stay fairly cool, but in the colder months it’s worth making sure you have some form of heating and double glazing installed. The higher spec options will often come with oil radiators, but there are also plenty of heating engineers who can install underfloor and other forms of central heating for garden rooms. Make sure any quote you receive is itemised, so you know exactly what it includes. You can find reputable traders by searching the Which? Trusted Traders database. You should also budget for the cost of connecting your new building’s electrics to the mains in your house.