So whether you are looking to add garden office pods, a creative studio, a man cave or a gym, a garden cinema, or just more storage space, a garden room represents a shrewd investment. In this blog, we want to explore the different ways to create cheap garden rooms (and when we say ‘cheap’, we mean ‘low-cost’, rather than poorly made!). We’ll look at the cost-effective ways to add garden buildings to your property so that you can make the best possible decisions when upgrading your garden.

Finance options

Here at Apex we offer a wide range of finance options when you purchase a garden room, meaning you can split the cost and pay it off over many years. Paying like this makes a garden room a viable option for more people, meaning that you don’t need to spend a large chunk of one in one go. You can have the benefit of more space, without a large outlay.

The self-build option

How are you with DIY? Building your own garden room is the best way to install a cheap garden room for obvious reasons – you aren’t spending money paying people to put it all together for you. This is a significant cost when it comes to the installation of garden rooms, so if you are capable of building it yourself, it’s something you should consider.

However, if you don’t have a background in construction, this may not be for you. Some things are best left to the professionals, and we would only recommend building your own garden room if you are completely, and justifiably, confident in your own ability as a builder. It’s a complex project that needs to be done correctly.

It’s all very well saving money, but your new outdoor office won’t look quite as impressive if the roof starts leaking during an impromptu video call with a client!

Using reclaimed building materials

Acquiring reclaimed wood is not as difficult as you might think it is, and it could be a great way to save some money when building your garden or gym. You can pick materials up from a timber yard or from sites like eBay or Facebook Marketplace. If you shop around a bit, you can get a great deal, without compromising on quality, and you can get the right kind of wood for your project – you can create the perfect log cabin! It is also the ‘green’ option – using reclaimed wood means less manufacturing and less waste.

Buying your own reclaimed wood will take a lot more work than buying a ready-to-go kit, of course. It will take more planning to get it perfect. If you are a skilled craftsman, it will be fine, but it may not be the ideal option for everyone. It could add more time and stress to the process.

Avoid costly planning permission.

Planning permission can be costly in the UK, usually costing hundreds of pounds when required. So the best way to save money on building a garden room is to build one that will not require planning permission. To do this, it should follow this criteria:

• Under 2.5 meters high
• Less than 50% of your outdoor space
• Not to be used for sleeping accommodation

There are some other, quite specific, criteria that you should try to avoid, but these three points are the main ones. A simple way to cut back on the cost of your garden room.

Insulation

If you’re looking to cut costs in the long run, then insulation is the way to go. It’s an important factor anyway – the whole point of installing a garden room is so that you have extra space in your home, and that space should be used all year round. For that to happen, it needs to be heated and well-insulated.

Heating costs money – not just to install, but also the energy costs. So the more efficient your insulation, the cheaper the running costs will be. A insulated garden office will cost a lot less to heat than one without sufficient insulation, so make sure your new room has good energy efficiency.

Use quality materials, like rigid foam, fiberglass, or mineral wool, and make sure that the walls, roof and floors all get plenty. Consider double-glazed windows, as they are much better at keeping the heat in and the cold out, as well as letting in plenty of natural light. Make sure, if you are having it installed, that the company you use take care to insulate.

This feels like a good point to say that at Apex Garden rooms, all our buildings are insulated, with double-glazed windows.

Second-hand décor

Whatever you use your garden room for, you will want it to look nice. Having that extra internal space is only worth it if it is somewhere you want to spend time. The instinct is often to go out and buy brand-new furniture and décor for your new room – but that might not be the most efficient use of your money.

You can get plenty of second-hand items that will add so much character to your garden room, and it’s never been easier to find that kind of thing. Sites like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Shpock and Vinted all have thousands of items that could be perfect for your space. Whether it’s a comfy chair to read in, some beanbags for a hobby room, an old bar so you can entertain guests, a retro pinball machine or pool table, a small office desk. Whatever you can think of, it may well be on offer second-hand, which is a great way to create your affordable garden room.

Affordable Garden Rooms – Conclusion

A garden room is a great way to make use of that garden space that maybe doesn’t get used all year round and transform it into something special, that becomes part of your day-to-day life. It adds value to your home, but more importantly, it can improve your quality of life – you will have enough space for your family to grow.

By following the advice in this blog, you can work to keep the cost down too. Garden rooms can be affordable without having to compromise on quality. Speak to us today and we will be able to provide you with a free, no-obligation quote for one of our high-quality affordable garden rooms.

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Do Your Need Planning Permission for a Garden Room?

If you’re looking to a simple answer to this question, then you probably have never dealt with your local planning authority (LPA) before! But there is plenty of good news for you at this stage: First off, it’s unlikely that you will need garden room planning permission, but in order to know for sure there are quite a few things you need to check about the specifics of your proposed garden room.

So now it’s time for the second piece of good news – we’re going to cover all of those factors in this blog. So all you need to do is read this, and you will know for sure whether you will require planning permission for a garden office, garden gym or even a garden cinema room on your property. Let’s get straight into it:

What are the main conditions for pre-approved planning permission?

As we said above, most garden rooms will not require planning permission, as long as they three main permitted development guidelines. These are:

• Your garden room height is less than 2.5 metres, measuring from the bottom of the building to the top of the roof.
• That you are not taking up more than 50% of your garden with your new garden room or any other buildings.
• The garden room is not going to be used as self contained living accommodation,

If your new garden room complies with these three conditions, then it is highly unlikely that you will need planning permission – however, there are quite a few other little factors that may change that, so it’s always best to run through those before you start any work.

Planning permission – the other details

The first thing that you need to make sure of is that you have permitted development rights for your property. If you own your property, it is highly likely that you have permitted development rights – the main exceptions are if you home is a listed building, or if it is on designated land (includes National Parks, the Broads, Conservations Areas, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and World Heritage Sites).

If you are at all unsure about whether you have permitted development rights, you can check with your LPA or local council. If you have permitted development rights, you won’t need garden room planning permission, just as long as you comply with the other factors.

Then there are the other, even more niche, details that you need to consider, for your garden room to fall under ‘permitted development allowances’:

• The new room isn’t in front of your house (as it stood in 1948 if you have already extended out in the front)
• There is no balcony, raised platforms or veranda
• It is smaller than half the area of your ‘original house’
• Your property is a house, not a flat, maisonette or any other buildings
• It is a single storey development

Bear in mind that if your new garden room falls short of any of these garden room permitted development rules, it doesn’t mean that you can’t have a garden room, it just means that you will require planning permission.

Do you need building regulations approval for a Garden Room?

Next we should consider building regulations. This is more about the technical side of the development, rather than the appearance – if you are to sell your house at some point, you may need to supply certificates to prove that any major work done to your house was done properly.

With a garden room, you only need to have building regulations approval if:

• The floor area is more than 15 metres squared
• The garden room is attached to your main home
• It includes sleeping accommodation

Even if your garden room is over 15 metres squared, you may still be able to build without building regulations provided that it is under 30 metres squared and is more than one metre away from your main home.

If you have any electrics installed in your garden room, you will need to have this certified under the ‘P’ section of building regulations, so make sure you use a company that can comply with this – like Apex Garden Rooms.

How to apply for planning permission

If you decide you need planning permission, you need to do this through your local planning authority. Each one in the UK will have a slightly process, so the best thing to do is go to the government website here and enter your postcode – that will direct you to your local authority and you can work from there.

Planning permission and Garden Rooms – Conclusion

It can seem quite daunting when you are thinking of making any kind of improvements to your home. Just the thought of ‘planning permission’ and ‘building regulations’ is enough to put some people off! Trying to work out if your development will meet the garden room permitted development regulations can be a complicated process!

However, it doesn’t have to be that complicated – we hope you have been able to help you work out whether you are likely to require garden room planning permission. If you have any questions about your property, please don’t hesitate to get in touch, our dedicated and experienced team would love to help you out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I need garden office planning permission?

If you are intending to use your garden room as an office, it is very unlikely that you will need planning permission as one of the main factors which determine whether you need planning permission is whether or not it will be used for sleeping accommodation. A garden office, as long as it is under the maximum height of 2.5 metres, is unlikely to need planning permission.

What is the different between planning permission and building regulations?

Planning permission is concerned with the general appearance of a development, and the impact that it will have on the local area. It’s there to ensure people don’t build large new buildings that disrupt the view, light, wildlife etc in the area.

On the other hand building regs are more concerned with how the building is constructed – is it safe, will it last – that kind of thing.

There are different rules for planning permission and building regs.

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But, while there are numerous practical benefits to garden rooms, what we are going to be looking at in this blog is whether it makes sense from a financial point of view – how much value a high quality garden room could add to your home. For most people, this is an important consideration – is a garden room a good investment?

The many benefits of a Garden Room

We’ll take a look at the various benefits of having a garden building, and how these impact the value of your home. All of these practical benefits will obviously be apparent to you the second the garden room is built, but for this blog we are going to look at how it will attract prospective buyers, and therefore impact the value of your home.

More floor space

Floor space is probably the biggest factor in determining how much your home is worth, right up there with location. Of all the various options a homeowner has to increase the amount of space they have, such as an extension or a loft conversion, garden rooms are by far the least disruptive and least expensive. There is no planning permission required, and the whole process is much more straightforward.

What you end up using your garden room for may not really matter for any prospective buyers – they will be able to change its use to suit their homelife, whether they decide to use it as a gym, an office, a studio or just a really fancy garden shed! Garden rooms add so much potential to a home, and that is very attractive to buyers.

A WOW Factor

Speaking of being attractive to buyers… Garden rooms are that WOW factor that estate agents love showing off when they are taking people round a property. The house market is an incredibly competitive one, so people are always looking for that extra little something that attracts buyers – and more demand means a higher price.

It’s easy to see why they would be so attractive, purely from an aesthetic point of view. Garden rooms are relatively new concepts, so they are well-built to modern standards and have aesthetic appeal, especially those made of beautiful timber and with wide-opening patio doors, offering plenty of natural light.

Dedicated office space

How can a garden office add value to your home? In the modern world, having the space for an office in your home is a huge draw for potential buyers. In the post-Covid world, more and more people have the opportunity for remote working – if not every day then certainly for a day or two a week. Not everyone has the space to make that happen without having to turn their kitchen table, say, into a makeshift office – all a bit of a hassle.

So do garden offices add value to your home? You bet they do. Working from home is incredibly appealing to lots of people, especially parents. Removing the commute from people’s day will not only save them money on petrol/bus/train fare, but it gives them more time at home. It gives them time to perfect their work-life balance – and having it outside the house provides a physical and mental distance between home and work. Having a contemporary garden office in order to do this is a very attractive proposition that people will pay for.

Room to grow

We mentioned families in the previous section, and they are an important consideration when you come to value your home. Young families tend to move house often as they need more space – in a survey from 2021, 32% of people that moved said it was for more space. As children get bigger, they naturally need more space to live.

Having a garden room gives a family space to grow. They will be able to see the potential that a garden room offers – whether it’s moving a guest room to the outdoor space as the children grow into wanting their own rooms, or having their insulated garden room as a studio for them to practise music, or using that extra space as a games room. They can be repurposed over time to fit the needs of the family.

So how much value does a Garden Room add to your home?

While it’s difficult to give an exact amount when it comes to how much value a garden room will add to your home, there are some pointers that are worth considering.

Size, and increased floor space, is such a huge factor in determining the value of a house that the second the garden room is built your house will have increased in value. Converting some unused garden space into something for year round use will add to your property value. According to recent research, a rough estimate is that it could increase the house value by between 5-10%. So if your home is worth £300,000 (around the average in the UK), a garden room could add value worth around £15,000 – £30,000.

There will be a maximum ceiling price for your area, and location still is the biggest driver when determining property value. If you are worried about whether a garden room will add value to your home, the best thing to do is speak to a local estate agent before you start to build. They will be able to give you an accurate estimate for your local area.

Conclusion

These are the many financial reasons why having a garden room is a good idea – but the fact remains that the most convincing argument concerning installing a garden room is not a financial one at all. It is the fact that having your own garden room, which you can use for whatever improves your day-to-day life the most. Bespoke garden rooms offer more value, not just to your home, but to your home life.

Have a look through our site for more garden room ideas, to help you design the perfect garden room for your home and your family. Get in touch with us today and we will help you plan your new garden room.

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Garden room bars are an increasingly popular use of a garden room. They are so adaptable and give you a cheap and comfortable place to enjoy drinks.

There are multiple options and customisations that can be made to your Garden Room to create the perfect garden bar. Let us create your dream garden bar. We have got what it takes for your garden bar design. All our garden bars can be adaptable to suit your needs best. Whether it is a small garden bar or a large garden bar you’re looking for, we can elevate your outdoor spaces.

Check out our top eight garden room bar ideas below:

Garden Bar Idea 1: Create an entertaining space alongside the garden room bar

There are a variety of different things to include to make your garden room bar is also an entertaining space for friends and family to enjoy. Adding a pool table, or a dart board or even just simply a pile of board games/playing cards can elevate your garden room bar. Even just having a selection of good books to read with some comfortable seating creates a perfect space that is simply relaxing. What more could you want from your evenings and weekends?

Garden Bar Idea 2: Have a cosy pub atmosphere

By adding in a beer tap, you can replicate the idea of being in a pub right in your garden room. Throw in some comfy seating, a fire, warm lighting and you can imitate being in a pub right there in your garden room bar. No need to trek out in the dark winters anymore when you can entertain guests right from your home bar.

Garden Bar Idea 3: Garden cocktail bar

For the more boujee clients, why not use your garden room bar as your very own cocktail garden bar. You can easily install a mini fridge to keep your ingredients cold. Add some swanky bar stools at the bar top and you’ll be the most popular garden cocktail bar in town year round. Make sure to have an ice bucket too to keep your drinks cool, no one wants a warm drink. Take it one step further and add some fun bar accessories. For example, you could create some fun bar signs with different cocktail recipes for you to shake up in your garden bar.

This is the perfect garden room bar idea for those who love hosting parties.

Garden Bar Idea 4: A Garden Room Sports Bar

No need to head out to sport stadiums, when you can install a TV screen in your garden bar. By having a space to watch sports in your new bar area, you can have guests over whenever. Kit out with all the essentials and add in an outdoor kitchen or an outdoor pizza oven for the best half time snacks. This is a great way to use your garden room bar. Just make sure there is some comfortable seating for those long hours watching back to back sport.

Garden Bar Idea 5: Add a hot tub

What compliments a garden bar perfectly? Enjoying your beverages in your hot tub. This is a fantastic way to elevate your garden space alongside your garden bar. This allows you to make everday life that little bit more special. Not much sounds better than coming home at the end of the day to enjoy your outdoor space and enjoy drinks in your hot tub.

Garden Bar Idea 6: Garden room bar sound system

Replicate a disco and install a stellar sound system in your garden bar. By having a good sound system in place, you can use this to add the perfect atmosphere in your garden bar. Whether your using it to watch sports, play games or listen to music whilst at the pool table, having this in your garden bar will really elevate your outdoor bar.

Garden Bar Idea 7: Garden bar decor

In your own garden bar, add a variety of decorations to liven up the space. You can switch up different cushions in your seating areas of your garden bar to allow for seasonal changes, year round.

Good internal and external lighting is always important to have. You can do this by having string lights or some fairy lights inside. In the outdoor space, you could add some big lights outside or little bulbs around the entryway to your garden bar. To be energy efficient, you could use solar powered lighting to keep costs low.

You can add garden bar signs as well, to personalise your garden bar. For example, for a bit of fun, you could have a sign that lists opening hours of your garden room bar. Or have bar signs with different drink recipes or bar signs that are quirky and fun. Stand out even more so against the crowd.

Make sure as well to have a good colour palette that suits your space and one that highlights the joy of outdoor living. This is another thing we can support you with at the consultation stage to make sure your garden bar ideas are just perfectly executed. You could even create green retreats!

Having a small table within your garden bar might be a good idea to allow guests to enjoy drinks and pop them down. Having comfortable seating is also important too. You can do this by having armchairs or bar stools. There are some fun and retro styles on the internet if you look.

By using natural materials you are able to create an inviting atmosphere within your own home which will accentuate your garden bar. Using high quality wood is a perfect example of this.

Garden Bar Idea 8: Insulation for your garden bar

As the cold Scottish winter nights roll in, make sure your garden bar is up to the task.

Make sure your garden bar is insulated and has double glazed windows to make sure you and your guests are staying warm. This is something we can support you with at consultation to make sure your garden room bar is nice and cosy.

To conclude

We hope our eight garden bar ideas will be of benefit to you. There is plenty that we can do with your extra space to boost your everyday life. There is no thing as too much space as we can work together to create the perfect garden structures to make your own garden room bar within your own garden.

What more are you waiting for? Get in touch with us today to start your process in having a garden bar and bring your garden ideas to life.

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