Cost of Garden Room With Shower and Toilet: Fees, Requirements & Benefits
15.07.2024
Do you want to know what the cost of a garden room with shower and toilet is in the UK? Garden rooms with bathrooms are popular because many people realise they can have more space and an elevated quality of life without building an extension. Perfect for multi-generational living, as a home office or even a beauty salon, these versatile garden buildings have the potential to open up new avenues in your life.
In this post, we’ll cover the benefits of garden rooms with a shower and toilet, different possible uses, legal requirements, planning and costs.
Benefits of a Garden Room With Shower and Toilet
Adding a shower and a toilet to your garden room has many advantages. A versatile space like this can be like a mini-home or getaway, independent of the main house. By adding these facilities you can create the perfect guest house, teen den, home office, gym, therapy room or a private sanctuary.
Increased Property Value
Importantly, such an addition can significantly boost property value. A study from MoveStreets from 2022 shows that a garden room adds an additional 8.4% to the property value.¹ Depending on the value of your estate this can mean quite the bump! The added value comes from the extra usable square footage and the enhanced functionality of the outdoor space.
Let’s take a closer look at how much your property value can increase according to the average 2024 house prices: ²
| UK territory | Average property value increase |
| England | About £25,000 |
| Northern Ireland | About £14,952 |
| Wales | About £17,472 |
| Scotland | About £15,960 |
It’s worth noting that your garden room should be of good quality. A summer house or garden room that looks unattractive, needs repairs or is poorly built will most likely not be able to lift your property price.
Get your summer house from a trusted and established provider like Summerhouse24. All Summerhouse24 garden rooms are designed with attention to detail and crafted from the highest quality Nordic spruce using high-end German technology.
Attractive Rental Property
Having a good quality garden room also increases rental potential. Who wouldn’t want to have additional leisure space and comfort in their own garden? This can become an excellent selling point for many people. It’s also a great solution for multi-generational living or for people with elderly relatives who want to maintain their independence, yet need some help.
Increased Quality of Life
If you’re not planning to sell or rent any time soon, having your living space extended by a garden room can significantly increase your quality of life. The added space can bring a breath of fresh air into your life. Whether you thrive on socialising with friends, downtime by yourself or creative activities like making music or painting, a garden room can add a whole new dimension to your life at home.
An Alternative to an Extension
Have you been thinking of adding an extension to your house? With a garden room that has a shower and a toilet, many people find themselves getting so much use out of the space that they either don’t need an extension or may opt for a much smaller one. Don’t underestimate how much use you can get out of a decent garden room! It’s also a good idea to look into the legalities of living in a garden room.
Different Uses of a Garden Room with Shower and Toilet
A garden room can be set up for many different uses. From home office to teen den, garden rooms can often cover multiple uses.
As a Home Office
One of the most common uses for garden rooms is home office. People are happy to cut the cost of working in an office in both time and money. Nearly 50% of people find hybrid working to be better for their mental health and over half of business leaders surveyed by Vitality UK and CBI Economics believed that working from home helps with productivity. ³
As a Personal Gym
Your own private gym can become a dedicated space to work on your fitness goals – mere steps away from your home. And why not get a garden room with a veranda for a cold plunge?
As a Teen Den
What do teenagers want? Independence! When do they want it? Now! A private space in the garden is perfect for them to hang out with friends or engage in hobbies and studies / and not too far from your watchful eye.
As a Guest House
Why not set up a cosy or even luxurious stay for your visitors? Your guests will undoubtedly enjoy a memorable en-suite-like experience. Besides hosting your friends and family, renting the garden room out on Airbnb can also be a great opportunity to make some extra money.
As a Therapy Room
Clients will appreciate the discrete and calming setting and you can enjoy being close to home yet separating your work from it.
As a Yoga or Meditation Studio
Whether it’s for yourself or work with clients, a yoga or meditation studio in your garden room can enhance the practices. The sounds and views from outside and the distance from everyday life can help create the perfect setting.
As a Massage or Beauty Salon
Get the spa experience at home with your own treatment room! Whether it’s for personal use or as a business, a salon space can provide a professional and relaxing environment with all the necessary amenities.
As a Home Studio
A home studio is the perfect place to let your creativity soar. In a dedicated space for artistic expression, you can truly immerse yourself in your art for hours on end without any interruption.
As a Home Brewery
Are you passionate about making your own craft beer? In a garden room with a sink and bathroom clean-up is easy and you can focus on honing your craft and perfecting your recipes.
As a Gaming Room
If you’re a gamer you can create a true gamers paradise, where you can indulge in your favourite games for hours. Great for both solo and multiplayer sessions, a garden room with a bathroom is the perfect base for some uninterrupted exploration in the virtual world.
As a Play Room for the Kids
Create a magical space for your children where their imagination can run wild. The nearby bathroom facilities make for easy cleanup if any messes happen and your children can play freely without taking trips back to the main house.
As a Home School
Having a dedicated space for homeschooling helps your children concentrate on their studies and separates home life from school.
Legal Requirements and Planning
When you’re setting up your garden sanctuary, it’s important to do it the right way from the get-go. This will save you from time and pain down the line.
Permitted Development Rights
Before you set out to build your garden house, it’s a good idea to make sure that you have permitted development rights for your garden. Permitted development rights mean that you can do certain kinds of work on your land without needing to apply for planning permission.
In general garden buildings don’t need planning permission when they are:
- No higher than 2.5 m (in some cases up to 4m)
- With a floor space of up to 30m²
- Have no sleeping accommodation
- Have a single story
The garden room must also comply with other rules, so make sure you double check all the requirements.
It’s good to know that there are types of areas and buildings that have different requirements or restrictions. Certain types of work may need an application that’s not needed elsewhere.
Some areas and buildings that have different permitted development rights are: ⁴
- Conservation areas
- Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs)
- Flats and maisonettes
- Listed buildings
- Commercial buildings
If you’re not sure or want to clarify if your property has permitted development rights, the easiest way is to check the Planning Portal and with your local council.
Building Regulations
Besides having the right to build your garden room, you’ll also want to make sure it’s built the right way. This is where building regulations come in.
Once you decide to add a shower and toilet to your garden room you’ll require sewerage and water. This means that all the construction needs to be done according to the Building Regulation standards.
The responsibility of complying with the regulations lies with the owner of the land or property, so make sure you partner with a reliable team and all works are carried out as needed.
What happens if the building is not compliant with Building Regulations? You may face legal or safety challenges and if you ever sell your property, it can become a serious headache.
Cost of garden room with shower and toilet: Fees explained
The fees will vary depending on many different factors like your location and whether it’s a prefabricated building or a bespoke project. We’ve tried to give an estimate of the average costs in the table you’ll find further below, but the real cost will always depend on the specific project.
Weigh your options and get quotes from several providers to choose the best solution for you.
Plumbing
When you install a shower and a toilet you need two things: running water and correct drainage for the waste water. These works can be costly, depending on your situation and it’s not easy to give a ballpark estimation.
One of the largest costs will depend on how far the main sewer line and water supply are located. The longer the distance that needs to be covered, the more labour and materials are required.
There are also some self-sustainable or off-grid solutions you could consider. Instead of connecting to the main water supply you can also get a water tank, a well pump, a cistern or a rainwater collector. You could also opt for a composting toilet instead of a flush toilet.
Electrical Work
The cost of the electrical work will be decided by the amount of cable used, how far the existing electrical supply is and how many switches, sockets, etc. there will be.
Adding air conditioning can raise the price considerably as it requires a dedicated circuit with appropriate wiring. Another large expense is electric underfloor heating.
Installation Costs
If you’re ordering a DIY-friendly garden house, you may be able to save on installation costs. Installation costs will vary between different providers. One of the more convenient solutions is to get the installation service through the seller you’re buying your garden room from.
Summerhouse24 for example offers free delivery in most of the UK and for the installation of a 6x3m garden room, you would pay £1,270.00. However, most of these garden houses can be assembled by two people as a DIY project.
Getting professionals to do the job can be well worth the cost, as there will be less of a chance of mistakes or accidents happening that can damage the building.
Planning Permission Fees
If your garden room will also sleep people, you will need to apply for a full permission. The fee is £293. ⁵ You may also need to pay fees of a few hundred pounds to get the drawings or plans necessary for the application.
Fees Overview
Here is an overview of the fees you can expect:
| Cost type | |
| New garden room | Around £13,000 to £38,800 on average for a 4m x 3m garden room Around £21,000 to £63,000 on average for a 6m x 4m garden room ⁶ |
| Installation | Around £1,270.00 for a 6m x 3m garden room |
| Connecting water | Starting from around £1800 and above |
| Installing a toilet | Starting from around £2000 and above (will vary a lot depending on how long the connection to the main sewer line is) Composting toilet prices start from about £200 |
| Electrical | Starting from around £1500 |
| Planning Permission | £293 (plus possible additional fees for any drawings or plans you order) |
Conclusion
The cost of a garden room with a shower and toilet can vary significantly. With many different options available in the market, you’ll be sure to find a solution that fits you. Whether it is a small granny annexe or a larger log cabin with bedrooms you’re after, Summerhouse24 has durable and high-quality prefabricated wooden buildings ready to be shipped to you. Why not take a look now?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you have a toilet and shower in a garden room?
Yes, you can have a toilet and a shower in a garden room. You just need to have proper drainage, running water and electricity connected to your garden building.
Do I need planning permission for a garden room with shower?
You may need to apply for planning permission, depending on the local rules. It’s best to check with the local council whether your building will comply with permitted development rules. If the garden room can be used for sleeping you will most likely need planning permission.
Do I need planning permission for a toilet in the garden?
You don’t need planning permission just to add a toilet in the garden room. But, again, if the space can be used for overnight accommodation, you will need planning permission.
Can I put a shower and toilet in my shed?
Yes, you can add a toilet and shower in a suitable shed. Just make sure all necessary works are carried out according to building regulations.
Used sources:
- https://www.introducertoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2022/2/the-home-improvements-that-will-add-the-most-value-when-you-come-to-sell
- https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/inflationandpriceindices/bulletins/privaterentandhousepricesuk/june2024
- https://thehomeofficelife.com/blog/work-from-home-statistics
- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/responsibilities/planning-permission/permitted-development-rights
- https://ecab.planningportal.co.uk/uploads/english_application_fees.pdf
- https://www.thegardenroomguide.co.uk/prices/how-much-do-garden-rooms-cost/#prices
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