Cost of Garden Room

Thinking of having a garden room added to your property? Want to know how much this may cost in your particular case?

Garden rooms have seen a rise in popularity in recent times. This is largely due to the versatile use potential they offer. Households may opt to have a garden room installed so that the space can be turned into a studio, home office, relaxation spot, guest accommodation, workshop, home gym, hobby room, gaming room or music room to name some of the more common uses.

A garden room can act as a peaceful escape from the rest of your home. With all these benefits to consider, it’s important that you become informed about the likely cost of a garden room installation and the various factors that can influence the overall price.

In this article, we’ll look into key cost-affecting considerations for a garden room, helping you make informed decisions when seeking to bring your perfect outdoor retreat to life.

How Much Does a Garden Room Cost?

A garden room could be seen as the luxurious version of the shed. Unlike garden sheds, which are generally dark, unsightly, and often used solely for storage purposes, a garden room can provide a high-quality, even opulent installation for your back garden.

As mentioned, garden rooms have a wide range of potential uses, which is a big part of their appeal. Garden rooms are often standalone, although some households may want to opt for a garden room extension.

As for the average costs, in general this will primarily depend on the size and type of the garden room. However, how you intend to use the space can impact features and design details, in turn potentially bring up the overall cost (but more on that later).

On average, a 4.5m² garden room installation is likely to cost between £11,000 and £27,000 or £8,000 to £22,000 for a 6.25m² installation. Prices rise to £9,000 to £35,000 in the case of a 7.5m² garden room, £9,000 to £39,000 for a 9m² garden room or £17,000 to £40,000 should you want a 12m² garden room.

Beyond that, a 15m² garden room will probably set you back between £21,000 to £46,000, while the cost is likely to land between £23,000 and $45,000 for an 18m² installation, £23,000 to £49,000 in the case of a 20m² setup or £27,000 to £65,000 if you’re looking for a large 24m² garden room.

It should be noted that these prices are in the average range. Also, in some cases, smaller garden rooms can actually cost more than slightly larger options.

For instance, one source suggests a 2.5m x 1.8m garden room may cost more than a 2.5m x 2.5m garden room. This may be due to the latter having equal dimensions in two directions thus potentially making the overall process simpler, keeping labour costs and thus leading to a lower overall cost.

The above figures are average and broad price ranges. Getting quotes from professionals near you will give you an idea of what to expect for your specific garden room project.

Garden Room Prices

As the previous section shows, the cost of paying professionals to install a garden room (in terms of labour and supply costs alike) can vary significantly, with size being a key factor. In summary, we have an overview of the average garden room prices below.

Cost By Size of Garden Room

Supply Only Costs

The cost of having a garden room will primarily consist of the cost of labour and the cost of supplies/materials. Another part of the overall cost that may apply is waste removal expenses.

Looking at the supply-only costs, you may be looking at prices of around £70 to £90 per m² for a deck base and £50 to 90 per m² for a roof system. Windows and doors may cost between £500 and £700 each. However, these prices can swell to or around £2,000 in some cases.

Ultimately, supply costs can vary quite a bit depending on the type, size and nature of the garden room you’re having installed. The above supply costs are just some examples as other supply only costs will apply and exactly what other ones will depend on the nature of the garden room and its specific design.

Additional Costs

Here are some added costs that may apply if you decide to have other relevant work undertaken at the same time: *

• Gutter cleaning - £18 to £75
• Gutter repairs or replace gutters - £30 to £1,100
• Grass cutting - £20 to £30 per hour
• Garden landscaping - £250 to £1,200
• Fix decking - £150 to £400
• Patio repairs - £50 to £150
• Roof maintenance - £60 to £1,000
• Exterior house painting - £550 to £1,500
• Driveway cleaning - £200 to £400
• New front door installation - £150 to £4,000

*Some of the above work can be performed by a garden room contractor/company, while some tasks will require other professional(s).

Labour Costs and Timescales

The other key cost factor involved in having a garden room built is that of labour. On average, the labour price alone is likely to fall between £300 and £400 per day.

This would mean that with a garden room taking around 2 to 3 days to build on average, the total labour cost will probably end up between £600 and £1,200 altogether. Therefore, as you can tell, the supply costs would make up the bulk of your bill.

From preparations to the point, the team will lay the groundwork until everything is done in place and the garden room is safe and ready to use; around 2-3 days will likely pass.

Most of this time period will, of course, be spent on constructing the garden room. However, time will also be set aside by the contractors/company to prepare the area and clean up afterward to ensure a tidy and safe final environment. How long and costly it will be to remove any debris after will depend on the nature of the job and the environment where the garden room is built.

The price of labour and how long the construction work will take can vary depending on a range of factors including the size and type of garden room and how accessible the work area is.

Cost Factors of a Garden

As touched on, there are a whole host of factors that can shape the price of a garden room installation. Let’s look at some of the most notable examples that can affect the overall price.

Garden Room Size and Design

Both the size and design of the garden room can play significant roles in shaping your total bill for a garden room build.

Size

Of course, the larger a garden room, the longer it will likely take, which will generally mean a higher labour cost. Beyond that, larger garden rooms require more materials, which can also result in a higher cost.

So, as you can tell, the size of a garden room is a two-fold cost factor and one of the most important at that.

Design Complexity

Along with the size of the garden room being created, intricate designs and certain architectural features are both capable of bringing up the cost.

It’s important to consider the aesthetic and functionality benefits of opting for the right design. In essence, opting for a more complex garden room than you initially had in mind may prove worth it in the long-term if you deem it affordable.

Foundation and Site Preparation

Both the work area and the nature of the foundation needed (which in turn can be influenced by the state/type of work area) can also influence the overall cost.

To be more specific, soil type, where you live, and any permits that may be required for your particular project can also impact your total bill.

Building Materials and Insulation

Of course, the type of materials you opt for can also shape the price of a garden room. For example, wooden garden rooms tend to be relatively inexpensive while those made of composite, glass or brick garden rooms will probably cost more than the average installation.

You may also wish to opt for insulation. While this would add to your bill, insulation can prove a very worthy investment. Insulation can offer year-round benefits by keeping the heat in (which will be especially helpful in the winter and on other cold days of the year). Further, insulation can improve the energy efficiency of your garden room and hopefully lower your energy bills.

Electrical and Plumbing Work

While the construction team can bring the skeleton and fundamentals of the garden room to life, other professionals will be required to complete the interior work and any other final touches.

For starters, an electrician will be needed to deal with electrical wiring, and the extent of the work required could affect how much they’ll bill you. The same applies to plumbers and the level of plumbing work needed. Also, don’t forget about heating/cooling systems and how this could impact what a heating engineer may charge for the relevant installations.

Windows, Doors and Finishes

Along with the examples already given, windows, doors, and finishes will act as additional expenses.

Of course, the type, size and quality of the windows doors and the type and quality of interior finishes are all relevant to the likely price that will be listed on your overall bill. For example, triple-glazed windows will generally cost more than double-glazed windows.

Also, in relation to interior finishes, this can cover a wide range of fittings, including flooring, lighting and wall coverings.

DIY vs. Professional Garden Room Constructions

Note: While you could build a garden room with a DIY kit if you are completely suited to do so, many additional aspects needed to finalise the garden and the room must be dealt with by professionals, such as electrical work and plumbing. If unsure as to what work you can do by yourself (e.g. door installations or finishes), consult with a professional for clarification. After all, to give an example, some lighting installations may be DIY-friendly while others may not.

Building the primary structure of a garden room DIY isn’t for everyone, and it would be necessary to purchase a DIY-friendly garden room kit.

Alternatively, you could buy a prefabricated garden room meaning that the amount of work needed from professionals will be limited relative to a scenario where they’d need to build everything from scratch.

If you opt for using a DIY-friendly garden kit, it’s essential that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions to a T and that you have the right skills, knowledge, and a clear understanding of safety. If in any doubt whatsoever, hire a professional. You should not try and build a garden room DIY from raw materials (i.e. materials used that are not part of a DIY kit).

Obviously, if you feel you are suited to taking a DIY approach (whether by using a DIY kit or simply ordering a prefabricated garden room to be dropped off and put in the correct spot), the key benefit here is how much money it could save you. Depending on a range of factors, you might end up saving somewhere between £600 and £1,200 and possibly more.

With that said, one way or another, hiring a professional should ensure a high-quality finish. On a similar note, there’s always a risk that by building a garden room DIY, you might get something wrong, meaning a professional would be required.

Also, a contractor/team working with raw materials from scratch could bring a better garden room (in terms of design and material) to life than you might get with a DIY kit. So, as you can tell, there are a variety of factors to consider when deciding whether to approach this DIY or not.

Types of Garden Room

Garden rooms can come in many forms. Therefore, it only makes sense to dedicate a section to exploring some of the most popular options.

Of course, also, whatever type of garden room you opt for there are many garden room ideas you’ll want to explore any given type that you can discuss with a designer, architect or/and builder. For now, though, let’s look at the pros and cons of each type based on use.

Home Office

One of the more common uses for a garden room comes in the form of a home office. This can act as the perfect space to do some additional work or planning in relation to your job or even as a creative workspace.

A creative workspace might mean arts and crafts (although then you may prefer a hobby room) or creative works that are more office-oriented, such as novel writing or working on graphic design on your laptop or PC.

A home office may prove less expensive than most types of garden rooms, particularly since the added fittings needed (e.g. desk, chair, cabinets) are likely to add up to less than the cost of fittings needed in other cases. For instance, the equipment needed for a home gym could add up to quite a large amount.

Summerhouse

A lot of households would love to have a garden room built to create a summerhouse. This can act as a wonderful space for you, other members of your household and visitors alike to enjoy on sunny summer days.

Summerhouses usually come with tiled or felt roofs along with various windows and glazed doors. The purpose of the latter two features is, of course, to ensure plenty of sunlight can enter as the name would suggest is appropriate.

Home Gym

Speaking of home gyms, some households may prefer to use their garden room for this reason. A garden room can act as the ideal installation to make space for your own gym with the equipment and fixtures you want.

As mentioned, a home gym may prove relatively more expensive, given all the equipment you may choose to have installed.

Workshop

Another common reason to have a garden room constructed is for the purpose of creating a workshop. Rather than having an entire garage added, a garden room can prove more than sufficient to create a space to work or/store tools, equipment and more.

Guest Accommodation

Another fairly popular reason to have a garden room built is to provide separate space to accommodate guests.

Since garden rooms are often less expensive than say a loft conversion, it could prove the most cost-efficient and feasible way to add space to your property for guest accommodation if you lack enough room as is.

Garden Room Materials

Aside from what you might use one for, garden rooms can also be categorised based on the type of material utilised. Here we’ll look at the pros and cons of various materials that can be used in the process of creating a garden room.

We’ll largely look at the pros/cons of these materials in a general sense as opposed to the pros/cons of these materials specifically in relation to garden rooms. Nonetheless, this information can still help you make a more informed decision when deciding what type of garden room to opt for based on materials.

Glass Garden Room

Along with their being distinct options from an insulation perspective (single-, double- and triple-glazed), glass is sustainable and 100% recyclable, as well as offering a high quality and durability. What’s more, glass is obviously transparent as well as dust- and water-proof.

On the other hand, glass is, of course, brittle and a stray football or cricket ball will destroy it. It is also relatively expensive, requires more maintenance than many other building materials and it has the issues of glare. Also, the fact it has heat absorbent properties means a glass garden room could heat up too much on sunny days like a greenhouse.

Composite Garden Room

Composite material consists of two or more materials being added together. This is a relatively low-costing material and a solid insulator. Also, thanks to these other beneficial properties, composite garden rooms are generally fairly strong and durable.

However, composite material is relatively brittle, and it can be at a relatively greater risk of fire when exposed to certain temperatures.

Wood Garden Room

Timber is a commonly used building material. Many prefer wood for the natural look and feel it offers.

Top advantages of wood as a building material include its versatility, ease of maintenance and repair and the warmth it can provide to occupants with a structure made using wood.

As for the downsides, firstly, wood, of course, comes with a higher fire hazard. Further wood is prone to rot, shrinkage and swelling and damage from various pests along with fungi.

uPVC Garden Room

Unplasticised polyvinyl chloride or uPVC is another standout building material. Some of the core upsides of uPVC are its durability, sound and heat insulation attributes, cost-efficiency and the facts it can be recycled and is relatively low maintenance.

Some of the disadvantages of uPVC as a building material include the limited options for design, temperature sensitivity and upfront cost. Also, for some households, the appearance of uPVC will not be their cup of tea.

Garden Room Size

Along with the type of garden rooms, as categorised by their use and the sort of material(s) used, garden rooms can be categorised by size. Let’s take a look at the reasons for and against opting for garden rooms of varying sizes.

Small Garden Rooms (4.5m² to 7.5m²)

As discussed earlier, small garden rooms of between 4.5m² and 7.5m² are priced at around £11,000 to £27,000 for a 4.5m² garden room, £8,000 to £22,000 for a 6.25m² garden room or £9,000 to £35,000 in the case of a 7.5m² garden room.

While a small garden room can cost less, it’s important to consider whether it would be well-suited to your needs or not. A small garden room may prove cosy but if it’s too small for your needs (such as if you wanted a home gym) it could end up feeling cramped and impractical and thus not a particularly great investment.

Medium Garden Rooms (9m² to 15m²)

Moving on to medium garden rooms, you can expect prices of £9,000 to £39,000 for a 9m² garden room, £17,000 to £40,000 for a 12m² garden room or£18,000 to £46,000 in the case of a 15m² garden room.

Medium garden rooms may be well-suited in some cases and could be the ideal balance between cost and space. However, as with small garden rooms, the risk still exists of a medium garden room being not quite large enough for your needs.

Large Garden Rooms (18m² to 24m²)

Lastly, looking at large garden rooms, these are priced at approximately £19,000 to £45,000 for an 18m² garden room, £20,000 to £49,000 for a 20m² garden room or between £26,000 and £65,000 should you want a 24m² garden room.

A large garden room may be just what you need. Obviously, the key downside is that large garden rooms are costlier. It’s important to carefully consider what size garden room you want to ensure either you don’t spend more than you need or end up with a garden room that is too small.

If in doubt as to how to approach this and make a sure decision, consult with a designer, architect or builder for advice.

Building Regulations and Planning Permission

Since garden rooms are generally considered outbuildings, they are often deemed a form of permitted development (i.e. planning permission will not be required).

Among the key rules that must be followed in order for a garden room construct to be deemed permitted development include that it cannot be built at the front of your property, it cannot take up more than half the total area surrounding your house, it’s eaves height cannot exceed 2.5 metres atop ground level, it will not be used as a self-contained living accommodation and it will feature no veranda or balcony.

With regards to the dimensions, a garden building has to be a single-storey construction and under three metres in height or under four metres if it features a dual pitched roof. Other planning permission rules apply, including those relating to a garden room used for a home office or one with bathrooms.

Ultimately, you should contact your local council for clarity to confirm that your proposed garden room (as professionally laid out with a designer or architect in the planning phase) does not require planning permission.

As for building regulations, any good professional builder/building company and other professional contractors needed to finalise the garden room will know what regulations to follow. Both planning permission (if needed) and building regs can incur fees.

Hiring Contractors for Building a Garden Room Checklist

When seeking a garden room contractor/company to hire, it’s important you opt for the right service or individual to hire. Also, you’ll need to hire additional contractors for some specific jobs in the final stage of the process (e.g. an electrician).

Whatever the case, for hiring a professional service or contractor, here are key pointers to keep in mind:

• You’ll need to make sure you find someone with a lot of experience and who can provide you with prior examples of their work. This will allow you to get a sense of their level of professionalism and quality of previous work.
• If possible, find out how highly their previous customers rate them. This might mean finding online reviews and ratings (if available) of the service/contractor you’re considering hiring.
• You’ll also want to verify that all professionals are qualified, especially where safety is a particular concern (e.g. electricians and plumbing).
• Beyond that, you should check that any contractors/companies you’re thinking of hiring are part of an accreditation.

FAQs

Sources

https://www.thegardenroomguide.co.uk/prices/how-much-do-garden-rooms-cost/
https://www.thegardenroomguide.co.uk/different-types-of-garden-room-construction/2015/02/04/