FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO BUILD MY GARDEN BUILDING?

TThe installation time for a garden building varies depending on the size and customization. For small pre-designed buildings, you can expect installation to take 2-3 weeks. Medium-sized buildings usually take 4-6 weeks. Large custom buildings over tend to have a 6-12 week installation timeline. Once we finalize your design, we will provide an accurate estimate for the total installation time.

HOW SOON AFTER WE PLACE THE ORDER CAN YOU START BUILDING?

We understand the excitement of getting your new garden building and aim to begin construction as soon as possible. However, due to our existing project pipeline and the lead time required for ordering and preparing materials, there is typically a 6-8 week waiting period after placing your order before installation can start. This timeframe allows us to finalize designs, schedule crew availability, and ensure all necessary components are ready.

CAN I CANCEL MY ORDER AFTER PAYING THE DEPOSIT?

We understand plans can sometimes change unexpectedly. If you need to cancel your order, please contact us as soon as possible. Our standard £750 booking fee is fully refundable upon project completion. Six weeks before construction starts, we will send an invoice for 50% of the total project cost. For highly customized or bespoke builds, we create tailored payment schedules. This 50% deposit covers made-to-measure materials like doors and windows that require significant lead time. If production has already begun on these customized items, we may not be able to provide refunds. Please keep in mind our goal is to avoid complications for you. We will make every effort to accommodate changes, even unexpected ones. The more advance notice we receive, the more flexibility we have around cancellations and deposit refunds.

CAN I MAKE DESIGN CHANGES AFTER PAYING THE DEPOSIT?

Our skilled builders can accommodate many modifications with enough advance notice. However, major changes may incur costs for additional construction time and custom materials. We aim to finalize all project details upfront before installation begins to prevent any delays or issues. If your specific request isn’t feasible, we’ll explore alternatives and find a solution to ensure the final product exceeds your expectations.

ARE THE PRICES ON YOUR WEBSITE INCLUSIVE OF VAT?

Yes, the prices quoted on our website already include VAT. We have been a VAT-registered company since 2018, so all applicable taxes are incorporated into the pricing shown. However, mobile homes are VAT-exempt under the Caravan Act. For these projects, VAT will not be included in the quote, as they are not subject to value-added tax.

DO I NEED PLANNING PERMISSION FOR A GARDEN ROOM?

In most cases, garden buildings are considered permitted development and do not require planning permission. As long as certain criteria are met, such as limits on size and height, you can generally build without applying for permission. For specifics, please see our article 7 Garden Building Planning Permission Rules to Keep in Mind – it outlines the regulations in detail. We also link to the official government planning portal which provides further comprehensive guidance.

WHAT FOUNDATION DO I NEED FOR MY GARDEN BUILDING?

For most gardens, we recommend a ground screw foundation due to its ease of installation and reliability. If you already have an existing solid concrete foundation where you want the garden building placed, we will use a different attachment method. For livable spaces and larger-sized buildings, we will also construct a timber frame to better support the structure’s weight. You can find more details and information on the entire installation process, on our How We Build page.

CAN YOU DO THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION TO THE MAIN HOUSE?

Yes, connecting your new garden building to the main house power supply is part of our full installation service. This includes running new electrical lines to the building and completing the wiring within. You will receive a qualified electrician’s certificate confirming the electrical work meets all regulations and is up to code. We highly recommend scheduling an electrical site survey early on to identify any challenges and avoid surprises later. More information can be found in our article Connecting your amazing garden room to electricity.

WHAT GUARANTEES ARE INCLUDED?

We provide a 10-year structural guarantee on all our garden buildings. Non-structural elements like doors and windows follow the warranty provided by their respective manufacturers. The EPDM roof cover we use as standard comes with a 25-year warranty. For more detailed warranty information, visit our Terms and Conditions page. We also offer a comprehensive maintenance program that you can utilize to ensure every element of your garden building is properly cared for. To learn more about these services, visit our Maintenance and Alterations page.

ARE LABOR COSTS FIXED?

Yes, our quoted labour costs are fixed and will not change. The total price includes all standard construction labour to complete your garden building.
If any unknown issues are discovered during production that prevent progress and is not our fault (e.g. outdated pipe systems, unsafe wiring), extra costs may be incurred to remedy them. Our goal is full transparency – we will not move forward with any additional costs until we receive your approval. If build time exceeds the estimate due to staff illness or other internal factors, we absorb those additional labour hours and not you. We will discuss any necessary changes or issues with you first, to ensure you are fully informed at all stages.

WHAT AFTERCARE IS NEEDED?

Our buildings are fully wrapped in a waterproof, breathable membrane so only the exterior walls are exposed. Aftercare depends on the cladding material. We commonly use pressure-treated wood cladding. While pre-treatment provides deep protection, reapplying a wood preserver every few years is recommended. For a weathered grey look, reapply every 4 years. Alternatively, we can provide aftercare as part of our Maintenance Service to re-coat the cladding for you. For materials like brick or stone, minimal maintenance is needed beyond occasional cleaning. We’re happy to go over recommended care and maintenance for your specific cladding selection so your building looks its best for years to come. 

DOES A GARDEN ROOM INCREASE PROPERTY VALUE

In most cases, a high-quality garden room can boost your property’s value. By adding usable space and aesthetic appeal, it makes the home more attractive to potential buyers or renters. According to property experts, well-constructed garden rooms built to the same standards as the main house tend to increase resale value and rental income potential. We dive deeper into projected value additions in our article How Much Value Does a Garden Room Add to Your Property?

Get in touch to start your journey

Your journey begins by filling out the form.

We’ll call you soon to have this first, initial conversation. Also, remember to check your mailbox, as straight after filling the form we send you some questions which will help you to make your project even more special.

If forms are not your thing, simply call us
on 01273 044 507 or send us an email
to hello@aroominthegarden.co.uk

We’re in the office from 9.30 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday.