GARDEN ROOM OR EXTENSION? WHAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU? PLUS THE PLANNING PERMISSION ESSENTIALS

Garden Room or Extension? What’s Right for You? Plus the Planning Permission Essentials

Garden Room or Extension? What’s Right for You? Plus the Planning Permission Essentials

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If you’re looking to expand your living space, chances are you’ve considered adding either a garden room or a traditional home extension. Both offer fantastic ways to increase your home’s functionality, comfort, and value. But which is right for your lifestyle, budget, and long-term plans?


In this blog, we’ll break down the key differences between garden rooms and home extensions, including cost, planning permission, construction time, and flexibility. We'll also walk you through everything you need to know about planning permission in the UK for garden rooms.





Garden Rooms vs Home Extensions: What You Need to Know


1. Purpose and Usage
Garden rooms are often standalone structures built in your garden or backyard. They can be used for a wide range of purposes such as a home office, gym, studio, guest room, or even a garden bar. These rooms offer a separate, tranquil space that feels removed from the main house, ideal for productivity or relaxation.

Extensions, on the other hand, are built directly onto the main property, effectively increasing the square footage of your home. They're perfect for expanding kitchens, living rooms, or adding new bathrooms or bedrooms.

Winner: It depends on the intended use. Garden rooms are great for separate, quiet spaces, while extensions are ideal for expanding shared living areas.

2. Cost Comparison
A key reason many homeowners opt for garden rooms is affordability. A high-quality garden room can start from around £15,000 to £30,000, depending on size and specifications. This typically includes insulation, electricity, and a finished interior.

By contrast, a home extension often ranges from £40,000 to over £100,000, particularly when adding plumbing, structural work, and planning permissions into the mix.

Winner: Garden rooms are usually more budget-friendly.

3. Construction Time
Building a garden room can often be completed in 2 to 4 weeks, making it a quick solution for added space. Most come as prefabricated kits or modular builds, which speeds up the process significantly.

Extensions take much longer. Expect timelines of 2 to 6 months, depending on the scale of the project, weather conditions, and builder availability.

Winner: Garden rooms are faster to complete.

4. Flexibility and Installation
Garden rooms offer remarkable design flexibility. Whether you want a minimalist glass room or a rustic wood lodge, designs are highly customisable. They can also be moved or modified more easily than extensions.

Extensions require integration with existing structures, plumbing, and electrics, which limits design freedom and adds complexity.

Winner: Garden rooms win on flexibility.

5. Value Addition to Your Property
Both garden rooms and extensions can increase the value of your home, but extensions usually have a greater impact. Because they increase the internal living space permanently, they’re more appealing to future buyers.

However, a beautifully designed garden room can still boost your home's marketability and offer a strong return on investment, especially when used as a home office or guest suite.

Winner: Extensions add more value, but garden rooms still offer great ROI.





Planning Permission for Garden Rooms in the UK: A Quick Guide


One of the reasons garden rooms are so attractive is that, in many cases, you don’t need planning permission. They typically fall under "permitted development rights" as long as they meet certain criteria.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Basic Rules for Permitted Development
To qualify for permitted development:

  • The garden room must be single-storey.

  • Maximum eaves height of 2.5m and total height of 4m (with a dual-pitched roof) or 3m (with any other roof).

  • Must be located at least 2m from the property boundary if over 2.5m high.

  • Cannot take up more than 50% of your garden space.

  • Must not be used as a self-contained living accommodation.


2. Exceptions to Permitted Development
You will likely need planning permission if:

  • Your property is a listed building.

  • You live in a conservation area, AONB, or national park.

  • You plan to install plumbing for a bathroom or kitchen.

  • The structure will be closer than 2m to a boundary and taller than 2.5m.


3. Building Regulations
Even if planning permission isn’t required, building regulations may still apply. For example, if your garden room includes electrics or is over 15m², you may need to comply with parts of the UK Building Regulations.

Always consult with your local planning authority or a qualified builder to make sure you're in compliance before starting construction.





Final Thoughts


If you're choosing between a garden room and a home extension, consider how you intend to use the space, your available budget, and your timeline. For quick, stylish, and affordable extra space, a garden room is hard to beat. But if you're looking to significantly increase your living area and property value, a traditional extension may be worth the investment.

Understanding the planning permission and building regulations involved is essential for a smooth process. Thankfully, garden rooms often bypass the red tape, making them an increasingly popular option for homeowners across the UK.

Whichever route you choose, be sure to work with experienced professionals to ensure your new space is built to last and adds real value to your home.

Consut www.wren-lodges.co.uk today for a garden room of your dreams across Unite Kingdom!

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