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When you’re looking to purchase a garden room, there are a few key factors you should keep in mind to ensure you get the perfect solution for your needs. Here are ten questions to ask:
You should consider whether the place in your garden is ready to have a summerhouse built. For example, do any tree branches need to be cut down to prevent them possibly falling on the building, is the ground level or does an excavator need to remove some soil, also is there a power supply ready to be brought to the garden room?
How big do you want your garden room to be?
This will depend greatly on the size of your garden, planning permissions, and what you intend to use the garden room for. For example, if you will be using it to have a lot of friends around to watch football, then you might want a large building built, but small spaces are ideal for cosy offices.
The cost of a garden room will depend on the size and spec you choose. So, think about what budget you have and how much are you willing to spend on your new garden room. Some people pay for their new garden room in one lump sum, but you may wish to consider opting for garden room finance, which we also offer.
There are many different shapes that we can build, including bespoke garden rooms to fit your space. Some of our most popular shapes are rectangular, triangular and square garden rooms.
Wood is the most popular option, but you could also have composite or metal sheets. Which you choose really comes down to which you think looks better and suits your specific needs. For example, wood may change colour with time and blend into its surroundings, but composite will stay the same.
Laminate flooring is often used in summerhouses, but there are also other options available such as hardwood, tile, and concrete floors. We usually advise against carpet as you may trample in dirt from the garden. Plus, carpet is harder to clean than wipeable options.
And, which type of windows do you want added? There are many different types of windows available, for example aluminium framed, wood, or UPVC, and different sizes or opening mechanisms. Fixed roof windows are great for skylights, sliders are usually larger to make the most of available light, whereas awnings or jailhouses improve airflow. The number of windows you have will be dictated by the size and orientation of your garden room. For example, you may like a view of the garden, but there’s little need for a window facing a fence, wall or driveway.
The Great British weather is anything but predictable. One day you could have glorious sunshine and the next it is cold and raining. So, having the ability to control the temperature of your garden room will make it a much more enjoyable space to spend time in. How you heat and cool the room will depend on a few factors, including the aforementioned access to mains electricity. If you can’t run cables, a solar panel or windmill may be an alternative. You could install electric heaters and air-conditioning, or some people prefer underfloor heating.
Do you require a toilet, a wash hand basin, and a shower in your summerhouse? Or are you happy to walk across the garden and use a bathroom in the house? If you would like facilities in your garden room, plumbing and access to water should be considered.
In most cases, you don’t need planning permission to build a garden room. This is because they are categorised as outbuildings and fall under permitted development rights (PDR). However, this isn’t always the case. On occasion, the size and location of the garden room may require you to have planning permission. So, we would always recommend you check your local authority’s guidance online.
If you’re thinking of investing in a garden room but have more questions before you proceed, our friendly and knowledgeable team will be happy to help. Contact us today.
