A garden room is currently one of the most desirable home upgrades, it’s an effective way of expanding your home and providing you with much needed additional living space.
Whether you choose to use your garden building for a home office, gym, studio, entertaining space or somewhere to relax and unwind, a garden room can provide you with the flexibility to create a space which fits your needs.
However, before you decide to take the plunge and invest in a garden room, it’s crucial to understand the true cost of purchasing a garden room and what hidden extras to look out for, which can significantly increase the price.
Here, we break down all the layers of expense, so you can understand what you might need to budget for and how to avoid any unexpected surprises.
Starting at the base – foundations and groundwork
It’s crucial your garden room has a stable, level base. It’s not an option; it is an essential and something which can often be overlooked.
Without the correct base support, it’s possible the structure will move or settle unevenly, which can lead to cracks in the walls, damp problems or doors and windows that no longer open and close properly.
Different foundation options include:
- Existing Base Installations – Heavy duty resin risers are used to level any existing concrete or patio slabs.
- Ground screws – extremely effective and flexible option when no base is present – this causes minimal disruption to the garden. Nest also do a ground compression test to check that the ground can take the weight, which is something not all companies will do but is important to ensure the garden room never sinks.
- Block base – traditional Blocks are used to support the weight of the structure but does require some excavation and foundation work into the ground.
- Timber/Composite Joints – A traditional joist system for the structure to sit on.
The choice of foundation will typically depend on the soil type, site conditions, such as the level of the ground, the access to site and the size of the garden room. All these elements will influence the overall cost and unfortunately groundworks can often be an additional cost after receiving your quote.
At Nest Home Additions we will assess the space where the garden room will sit and choose the most appropriate foundation option for you. This is all included in the quote and not a surprise cost added onto your final bill.
Getting the garden room delivered and installed
Garden rooms might seem like simple structures to erect, but if they’re not put together correctly you could experience issues in the future. Garden rooms should always be installed by a professional installer for the best results.
Professional installation ensures you have a team who has expertise in erecting the structure, finessing the finishing touches, electrical work, plumbing (if required) and the ability to meet building regulations, where needed.
Some garden room brands will state they are supply only, and therefore you will have to pay additional costs for professional install. And depending on the complexity of the build the cost of installation can vary considerably.
And don’t forget the delivery. Depending on who you choose to purchase your garden room from and where you’re located, there can be an extra charge for your garden room to be delivered.
When investing in a Nest Garden Room, we manage the process from start to finish. All installation and delivery costs are included in your quote, so you don’t need to worry about the additional cost of having your garden room delivered. This gives you peace of mind throughout the process and helps you to stick to your budget.
Keeping warm and insulated
High quality insulation is essential for garden rooms and can determine if the garden room is going to be a comfortable and durable living space all year round. Insulation not only prevents the cold and damp but also any wasted energy long term.
For full insulation, the walls, roofs and flooring should all be insulated. Without adequate insulation the garden room structure can be impacted by weather and moisture, effecting its long-term use.
A garden room which has no insulation might be cheaper, however there will be an additional cost to add insulation and make the room close to useable – this can differ quite considerably if you choose to insulate it yourself, have it fitted professionally and depending on the level of insulation you choose.
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are commonly used for garden rooms. They’re considered high-performing materials and are perfect for year-round use. The structure of the panels effectively provides high insulation, soundproofing and airtightness, creating an ideal space for a home office, studio, gym or any useable room.
At Nest, we ensure only the highest quality products are used to build our garden rooms, that’s why we use SIPs, at least double the thickness of some other methods, so you can rest assured your garden room will be well insulated and built to last.
Opening the UPVC door to your garden room
When designing a garden room, finishing touches such as lights, decking, windows and of course doors, can all make a significant difference to the final look of the building.
Some garden rooms have frames made from wood, which will require treating frequently and are prone to rotting and swelling. There are many garden rooms that include UPVC Doors as standard but be cautious as some advertise this and charge an uplift to change from wood to UPVC. Additionally, sometimes one basic UPVC frame style is shown, but if you choose to change the style, to Patio Doors or Bi-Folds, or want to change the colour, this comes at a premium. It’s also important to consider the configuration of the doors and windows and what will suit the design and size of your garden room. However, all these different style choices could lead to additional costs.
Installing UPVC doors and windows can bring many benefits to a garden room. They’re extremely durable and cost-effective, providing exceptional insulation, helping to reduce heat loss and lower energy bills long term.
We know how important it is to find a door that suits your garden room and lifestyle, that’s why we offer a wide variety of door styles and colours; all fitted with high-security multi-point locking systems and double glazing. And for your peace of mind and to help the budget, we ensure all these are included in your initial quote.
The finishing touches
When deciding to install a garden room it’s always important to think about how the room will be used and the costs which are required for the final decorations and finishing touches. And when you’ve invested in an impressive garden building for your home, you want to make sure it’s finished to the highest standards, both inside and out.
If you’re planning to use the garden room as a home gym, there are important things to consider. Will you require a specialist rubber flooring and what is the cost of that? What equipment do you want in your home gym and how much of an extra cost will that be?
Similarly, if you want a space to entertain, decorating the space will come with a cost. For example, if you want the luxury of relaxing in a hot tub next to your garden room, what cost will that add to the final price of your garden room?
All these added extras should be considered when choosing your garden room, as they push the budget up considerably dependant on how the design of the building needs to change.
Planning a garden room is an exciting and very personal experience, creating something which is designed specifically for you and your lifestyle. It can be easy to keep adding more to your build, which ultimately can increase the final cost.
A garden room isn’t just the one final price. You might have to consider the additional elements which go with it:
- Foundations
- Insulation
- Installation and delivery
- UPVC Doors/windows
- Finishing touches
Understanding the true costs upfront allows you to plan properly, avoid any surprises and create a space you’ll love, whilst sticking to your budget.
At Nest Home Additions, it’s important to us to ensure your experience is not just personalised, but also that it doesn’t come with any unexpected surprises.
We will work with you to ensure your garden room delivers what you require and within your budget.
To find out more about how we can help create your dream garden room, or to get a quote, get in touch with our team of experts today.
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