A garden room is your own personal retreat on your property. Building one in your garden is the best way to enjoy your free time with the loved ones. A garden room is versatile and can be used for almost anything such as home office, teenage den, cinema room, or garden gym. It extends the use of your outdoor space to its fullest potential. A well-designed and insulated garden room will have all the amenities and comforts similar to a room inside your home.
1. How will you be using the garden room?
Defining the purpose of your garden room is the most important thing to consider when building such a room. Here are some of the many uses of garden rooms that you may not have considered:
. Cinema room
. Kids games room
. Cocktail lounge
. Granny annex
. Coffee bar
. Garden hideaway
. Garden guest bedroom
. Home library
. Garden office
. Home garden gym
. Meditation room
. Summer house
. Yoga studio
. Music room
. Hot tub room
2. Minimum space requirements
You will be surprised to know that how little space you need for a garden room. A stylish room can be built in a space as small as 2.5m X 2.5m though it may vary depending on your intended use. The most popular garden rooms are 4m X 3m or 6m X 5m. Even larger rooms could be constructed according to your intended usage.
3. Budget
Companies are providing finance to construct your garden room, and you can affordably build a garden room on your property. You can spread the payments over a few years when you apply for a loan to construct a garden room. The size, style, and customized features of the garden room affect the cost of the project. You should expect to pay between £15,000 – £20,000 for a 4m x 3m garden room construction company. On the other hand, if you want to customize the room according to your needs, you may have to pay between £20,000 – £25,000. When considering the house extension or moving costs, a garden room looks like a viable option for you. Visit www.quick-garden.co.uk/garden-rooms/ to find the best option for you.
4. Summer or year-round use
You should opt for specific features if you want to use the garden room year-round. Some of the features include quality insulation, double-glazing, and electricity installation. If you invest in these additional features, there is no reason why you can’t be comfortable in your garden room as you would be inside the house during the cold winter months.
5. Quality hallmarks to look for
TRADA is the gold standard. In fact, TRADA is the leading institution for regulating timber buildings in the country. In fact, TRADA certification is proof of commitment to durability and quality. LABC assured certification is another less stringent qualification to look for. Make sure you choose walls, roofs, and floors with 90-100mm insulation for the project.
Important Tip – Hardwood engineered timber floors made from walnut or oak are the best for your project. They will really stand the test of time and offer a better finish than some of the cheaper alternatives out there.
6. Planning permissions
Garden rooms come under permitted developments. Hence, you don’t need to obtain planning permission. But there are some limits when building a garden room such as:
. The room should be a single story with a maximum eave height of 2.5m and an overall height of 4m with a dual pitched room. It should be 3m if you plan to install any other roof.
. The room should not be used as a home.
. The room shouldn’t have balconies, verandas, or raised platforms.
. The room should not take more than half the area of land around the original house.
7. Groundwork
The intended space for the garden room should not subject to flooding and should be clear and level. The clearance on all sides of the construction should be 0.5m to 1m. Installers require street access to the installation site. For example, if you need to walk through the living room or kitchen, it is still possible.
8. Utilities
If you need water, electricity, and a waste connection, you should make sure the builder carries out an in-depth site survey to provide an accurate quotation for the project. Look for a builder that provides a turn-key solution to avoid major issues down the road. If you can find a company that provides all types of building work, there will be no issue over time.
9. Hidden extras
Make sure the builder quotes for all work such as groundwork, electricity, waste, and water connections. That way you will know what the scope of work is and what is included or excluded from the outset.
