FAQ
Questions below are asked often. Please see if yours is answered. If not, please let us know. Some of the answers have been turned into articles you can find on our blog.
The average installation time is 3 to 4 weeks, but it varies depending on the size and complexity of the design, with medium to large buildings taking 6 to 7 weeks. A smaller garden building, like the Primo.26.26 from our pre-designed range, can take between 2 to 3 weeks. A larger bespoke garden room, like our cabin on the lake, can take up to 12 weeks. Once we have finalised your design, we will be able to give you a more accurate installation time.
Our aim is to start as soon as possible. However, due to existing projects currently under construction and the lead time for ordering and preparing the components of your garden building, there is a likely waiting period of at least 6 to 8 weeks after your deposit payment.
When we take your deposit, we use it to buy the elements of your building, such as doors, windows, wall panels, and timber. If you want to cancel your order, we will do our best to contact our suppliers and attempt to immediately halt production. However, for anything that we cannot return or cancel, we will take this money from your deposit. We understand that sometimes unpredictable things happen in our lives and plans need to change, so we would do our best to minimise any cost to you.
In a nutshell, it depends. If, for example, you want to change the size or type of doors, the chances are we will have already ordered them and they are being made to fit your design. We can change the doors if you want, but you will need to pay for the new doors as well. If, on the other hand, you want to change the colour of your garden office, the chances are that this change won’t cost you a penny, as we will simply purchase a different colour paint as per your request. We want to make sure that your building is exactly as you want it, so we will keep in touch from time to time between the placing of your order and the build starting. This way we can all be sure that everything is as you are expecting.
Yes, they are. We had to register for VAT in June 2018. It makes our prices around 10% higher than before, however, we think that the quality of craftsmanship we provide keeps us very competitive.
Although certain criteria need to be observed, in general, garden buildings are a permitted development and there is usually no need to apply for planning permission. If you would like to learn more about this, please read our article 7 garden or summer house planning permission rules to keep in mind. There is also a link to the official government document on this issue.
Yes, we do. All of our garden buildings are priced with foundations and full installation.
Yes, we do. You will also receive a qualified electrician’s certificate confirming the safety of the connection when completed. It is not required if your building is smaller than 15 sqm, but we do it anyway for your peace of mind and safety. Electrical connections are rarely straight forward so if you would like an electrical site survey, to confirm there will be no unexpected surprises later in the build, we can arrange this early in the process. Read more about electrical connections here.
We give a 10 years’ structural guarantee. We are a local, family run business, we will complete any repairs that are needed if they are caused by any structural or installation problem. Our name and our reputation are on the line, so we definitely want to keep our clients happy by addressing any unforeseen problems once the build has been completed.
Just before the end of the first year we will call you, ask how everything is going, and arrange a visit to inspect your garden room. If something is not right in our opinion, we will rectify it as soon as possible. To make sure you have the peace of mind you need, we go over all of this in our design proposal before any work begins.
All of our quoted costs are fixed, including the labour costs. What is not included are any costs associated with problems we are unaware of. If we discover something which is not our fault, but prevents progress on the build (like an old Victorian pipe system under your garden or that your house wiring is unsuitable or dangerous) and rectifying this is necessary to complete the work, then we will need to charge you for that extra work. If however, we run over due to staff illness, and complete the building in 3.5 instead of 3 weeks, it will be us who covers the cost of our extra work hours and not you. We will always discuss any problems or necessary changes with the client before continuing our work.
The entire construction of the building will be wrapped in a waterproof, breathable membrane, so the only parts of the building that are open to the elements are the external walls. The aftercare you need will depend on the chosen cladding material. The majority of our garden buildings are finished with wood cladding. Although the wood we use has been pressure treated (wood preserver is injected inside the wood under high pressure, allowing for deep penetration of the timber), it is recommended to re-apply the wood preserver every few years.
If you want the wood to weather grey, the preserver will need to be applied every 4 years. It is a very easy process as the product itself is almost like water, so re-applying it on the surface of a large building should not take any longer than a day. Alternatively, we can do it for you as part of an after-care service connected with our yearly check.
