In recent years, garden offices have become increasingly popular. This is true for all of the United Kingdom, offering homeowners a perfect blend of work-life balance and functional home improvement. But how much does a garden office cost? After all, many of us have budgets to consider. This guide will break down everything you need to know about garden office pricing in the UK.

Garden office price ranges

Garden office costs can vary significantly, depending on the size and complexity of the build as well as the quality of the materials used. Typical prices can range anywhere from £5,000 to £50,000. We are focusing on prefabricated garden offices, which is one of the most common solutions for savvy buyers looking for a quality build at a reasonable price. Let’s have a closer look at what influences the prices.

Size matters

Size is one of the main factors when it comes to the prices of garden offices. The more material you use, the more expensive anything becomes. Smaller garden offices are available for only a few thousand pounds. Let’s look at average prices for garden offices according to their size.

Small garden offices (2m x 2m – 3m x 3m)	About £2,000 – £7,000
Medium garden offices (4m x 4m  – 5m x 5m)	£3,000 – £8,000
Large garden offices (5m and over)	£5,000 – £15,000

As you can see there’s quite a bit of overlap in the pricing, since there are other factors that add to the cost besides the size. High-end garden offices and turnkey solutions will cost more than the average prices we’ve listed here.

Key cost factors

The final cost of your garden office depends on several things-

Construction materials

Timber: Timber comes in several quality grades and a garden office can be made from cheaper pine vs more expensive Nordic spruce for example. Nordic spruce, which is used by Summerhouse24, is a dense slow-grown timber that is far more superior to cheap pine.

High-quality materials: While the initial cost will seem higher for a garden office with quality components such as double-glazed windows and premium hardware, the longevity of the materials is significantly better.

Complexity of the design

Large windows and sliding doors as well as an overall more complex architecture make for a more expensive garden office. Bespoke designs are also often on the higher end of the price scale, though Summerhouse24 lets you conveniently change any existing designs or create a new bespoke project at a very competitive price, thanks to in-house manufacturing.

Foundation and groundwork

Here a few different things come into play. What kind of a foundation type will you be using? Concrete base, ground screws, or a strip foundation for example? Will you need to get electrical works, plumbing, and internet connectivity? Make sure you outline all of the works that need to be carried out and get a quote for each item on your list.

Installation

Will you install the garden office yourself or will you hire someone to do it for you? Many garden office kits are perfectly suited for a DIY project, if you’re looking to cut some costs. Installation will cost you somewhere around £1000 – £2000, depending on the size and complexity of the prefabricated garden house kit that needs to be installed.

Additional costs to consider

Planning Permission

Most smaller garden offices (less than 30m2 in floor size) fall under your permitted development rights. This means you don’t need planning permission. However, you still may need to carry out any works following building regulations. Remember to check with your local council to check whether you need planning permission or not. If you do need one, the approximate cost will be around £200 – £500.

Site preparation

You will likely need to prepare the site for the installation of your garden room. This includes leveling the ground and making sure there’s adequate drainage. You may also want to factor in costs for landscaping. The approximate cost may be around £1,000 – £3,000.

Electrical and internet

Professional electrical installation will cost somewhere around £500 – £2,000. If you’re adding internet connectivity costs about £200 – £1,000. If your garden office is close to the location of the router in the main house, you can use a wi-fi extender (the reach is around 30 metres or 98 feet).

Heating and cooling

Also factor in heating and cooling, if you’re planning to use your garden office all year round. There are many eco-friendly ways to heat your garden office. Consider getting an AC with a heating function or even a wood heater to create a cozy ambiance.

Money-saving tips

Compare multiple options before buying. When you’re deciding on which garden office to buy, make sure you take into account the quality of each and compare apples for apples. There are differences between sellers, what their garden office kits include and don’t. If one kit is cheaper but doesn’t include a few things from a more expensive one, you may find it doesn’t come out cheaper after all! Also remember to keep quality in mind. A proper garden office can last for decades, whereas a cheap one may start to have issues in just a few years.

Overall a prefabricated garden office kit is one of the best ways to get a good quality garden office at a decent price-point. This is especially true for manufacturers with a long experience that make their products in-house, like Summerhouse24. Thanks to the middleman being cut out, you get a much higher quality product at a lower price point.

Buy at the right time

One great way to save money is to plan ahead and buy your garden house during a winter or spring sale. This will help you lock in the best price and extend your budget a bit further.

Tax relief

Currently, you are allowed to get tax relief in one of the two following cases if you’re an employee: ¹

• your job requires you to live far away from your office
• your employer does not have an office

If you’re a sole trader or have your own company, you can claim for business expenses. It’s best to get tax advice on this to see what is and what isn’t possible, to be sure you’re compliant with the laws.

Financing options

If you’re looking for ideas on how to finance your home office, here are a few things to consider. You may be able to finance your home office by getting a home improvement loan, using your savings or by using a payment plan, if available.

Frequently asked questions

How much value does a garden office add to your house?

According to experts, the average value a garden room can add to a house is 5% to 15%. How do you make sure that you’re closer to the higher end of the scale? By choosing a high quality garden office that complements your outdoor space and the main house. An unattractive garden office in disrepair is more likely to lower the value of your property instead of increasing it.

To increase your property’s value it’s important to use a trustworthy provider with a proven track record like Summerhouse24. With 10 years in the business and a combined experience of 25+ years, Summerhouse24 has sold thousands of wooden cabins and has a 5-star rating on Trustpilot. All garden rooms and garden offices are made from high-quality Nordic spruce using the latest German machinery

Do I need permission for a garden office?

It depends. As long as your garden office is on the smaller side, it should fall into your permitted development rights – this means you can put up small structures such as sheds and garden rooms on your own land without planning permission (some exceptions include listed buildings and natural conservation areas). The inside area of the garden office should not exceed 30 m2 and if located within 2 meters of the property boundary, it can’t be higher than 2.5 metres. Planning permission rules for summer houses and garden offices differ by council, so the best thing is to check with your local planning authority. Read our handy linked guide to get an overview of when planning permission is needed and when it’s not.

Is a garden office worth it?

For many people, a garden office is absolutely worth it. The additional space and flexibility can significantly improve the quality of life. This can be even more true when people additionally use the space for hobbies or get a model with a veranda, that allows them to enjoy the outdoor space in a relaxing way in the evenings. First and foremost, a garden office should be considered as a long-term investment. You’ll be saving on renting an office space or commuting, not to mention the time it takes to travel to an office. You also may be improving the quality of your everyday life, cutting out stress and leading to better health outcomes. The value of your property will also increase, if you install a good quality garden office, that future buyers or even renters will see as a desirable feature.

Conclusion

A garden office is a wonderful addition to any home, that can improve work-life balance, and life satisfaction while adding value to your property. Prices range from £5,000 to £50,000, most homeowner’s total spending coming to somewhere around £15,000-£30,000. It’s a good idea to always get multiple quotes, check references given, and to make sure the garden office meets your work and lifestyle needs.

To get started on your garden office measure your garden, decide on your budget, and consult with local specialists. Summerhouse24 provides garden offices and bespoke solutions and is available 7 days a week on 020 3807 0369 or info@summerhouse24.com.

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Sources:

1. Claim tax relief for your job expenses: Working from home – GOV.UK