Once considered a luxury splurge, more Brits than ever are investing in garden rooms as practical, investment-worthy extensions of their homes.
Motivated by a need for separate home office areas, hobby spaces, or relaxing retreats, these increasingly popular standalone structures are a flexible, appealing, common-sense solution to a need for more space in the home.
That said, while a garden room is an investment in the long run, there is still a significant amount of money involved. Before you commit, it’s a good idea to grasp the expenditure involved in buying a garden home.
This short article aims to help you in that regard as we discuss the various garden room costs, what affects them, and how to make clever budget decisions. Let’s get to it.
Factors Influencing Garden Room Costs
While the listed price of a garden room shows the price of each model, the prices across the range will vary depending on several additional choices. Below we break down those choices, starting with the most obvious: the size of your garden room.
Size
As you might expect, the size of your garden room has a direct impact on the price. Entry-level models like the Diamond Barnham Apex start from just £1,106, while a mid-sized Platinum Kingclere Apex (8′ x 6′) boasting more features starts at £3,399.
Premium models like the Royal Garden Room (e.g. 10′ x 10′) go up to £10,633 depending on materials and finish. A compact 8′ x 8′ (approx. 2.5m x 2.5m) Royal timber-clad model starts around £8,167 including VAT and installation. A mid-sized 10′ x 10′ (approx. 3m x 3m) garden room averages £10,099, while a larger 16′ x 10′ (5m x 3m) building reaches about £13,269.
Materials
Generally speaking, timber-clad models tend to be more affordable, but choosing composite cladding increases durability with minimal upkeep. The same 8′ x 8′ room in composite starts from £8,999, while a 16′ x 10′ version can cost up to £15,349.
Design Complexity
Adding special features like extended canopies, unusual shapes, or custom roof pitches can add thousands to the base price – although off-the-shelf models will usually cost less.
Features and Amenities
Extras like electrics, heating, flooring, and finished interiors can also raise the price of your garden room. While some garden rooms come insulated with double glazing as standard, you may also need to consider costs for plasterboard, painted finishes, laminate flooring, or integrated electrics with sockets and lighting.
For year-round use, many of our customers often choose optional heaters or underfloor heating, plus a Wi-Fi extender or hardwired connection for internet access. Either way, your options are plentiful – our experienced sales team will cover additional finishing touches and extras in as much detail as you like.
Foundation Requirements
Most garden rooms require a level, solid shed base. The cost of a concrete slab or timber decking base isn’t usually included in the building price. Depending on the size and method, this could add £500–£2,000 to the construction. Again, our expert sales team will advise specific pricing for the foundation.
Average Cost Breakdown
Here’s how typical price points break down based on our current garden room listings. These prices will help you get a clearer sense of what your budget can buy, but remember, other factors, such as optional extras, can increase the final price.
Basic Garden Room
Budget-friendly models like the Diamond Barnham Apex start at £1,106. These are ideal for occasional or seasonal use, with optional upgrades like garden room insulation, flooring, and paint finishes. More kitted-out entry models with basic insulation and finishes, such as a 7′ x 5′ unit, could cost around £2,250 depending on specification.
Mid-Range Garden Room
Platinum and Regent models in the £3,500–£7,000 range offer insulation, better build quality and more finish options. These types of garden rooms are suitable for regular use and all seasons (with minor add-ons).
High-End Garden Room
The Royal range offers beautiful, premium garden rooms between £7,500 and £10,633. These include full insulation, factory finishes, double glazing, and sleek architectural styling. Optional interior work and electrics can raise the total slightly. (e.g. 20′ x 12′) can reach £18,000–£20,000. These often include plastered interiors, lighting, flooring, and insulation throughout.
Strategies to Economise on Garden Room Construction
There are plenty of ways to trim costs without compromising quality and aesthetics. Here’s how to stay within your ideal budget while still getting the type of garden room you want.
- Prioritise Essential Features
Focus on the features you genuinely need—like insulation or electricals—and skip the cosmetic extras if the budget is tight.
- Consider Standard Designs
Choosing a pre-designed model from a range like Royal or Regent can lower design costs and reduce manufacturing lead times. Remember, standard certainly doesn’t mean inferior.
- Consider DIY Construction
If you are confident with your DIY skills, a small uninsulated garden office can cost as little as £2,250, though this excludes labour.
- Source Materials Strategically
If you’re managing your own build or upgrades, shopping around for materials like cladding, flooring, or paint can cut costs – although this might affect the quality of the end result.
- Plan for Energy Efficiency
Investing in good garden room insulation might increase upfront costs slightly but can save you money on heating long-term.
Case Study Examples
Example 1: Budget Garden Office
A customer from Farnham chose the Diamond Barnham Apex at £1,106. They added laminate flooring, additional timber treatment, and an additional window upgrade, bringing the total to around £1,650. Used mainly for painting and model-making, it’s a simple, dry space for occasional creative time.
Example 2: Mid-Range Retreat
A couple in Guildford selected a Platinum Kingclere Apex model (8′ x 6′) for £3,399. After adding insulation, timber lining, electrics, and laminate flooring, their total came to approximately £5,200. It now acts as a comfortable remote working space with plenty of natural light.
Example 3: High-End Multi-Purpose Space
An online customer went for a Royal Garden Room measuring 10′ x 10′, listed at £10,633. With added options, including a factory paint finish, internal partition, extra windows, and electric heating, the final cost reached approximately £12,400. It’s now a dual-use space: home office by day, fitness studio by evening
Approximate Garden Room Prices
| Size | Starting Price | Approx Final Price With Upgrades | |
| 6ft x 4ft | 1106 | 1500 – 1900 | |
| 7ft x 5ft | 2250 | 2200 – 2500 | |
| 8ft x 6ft | 3399 | 4800 – 5200 | |
| 10ft x 8ft | 5799 | 6500 – 8500 | |
| 10ft x 10ft | 10633 | 11000 – 12500 | |
| 12ft x 10ft | 11699 | 12500 – 14000 | |
| 20ft x 12ft | 12499 | 15000 – 18000 | |
Bottom Line
A garden room has unlimited potential. It can utterly transform your outdoor space from a simple, budget-friendly work nook to a posh year-round sanctuary, with price tags to match both visions and everything in between.
Either way, garden room costs swing wildly based on dimensions, the various bells and whistles, and finishing touches – but don’t let that scare you off.
With a bit of clever planning, you will squeeze proper value from every pound spent. Go for designs that have proven their worth – such as our incredibly popular, curated range of garden rooms -and put your money where it practically matters.
For more guidance on garden room costs, the following tips on planning permission or energy saving might come in useful.
A Showroom Worth Visiting
Unlike many other companies selling only online, we invite customers to experience the sheer beauty of our products firsthand. Our huge display area lets you compare models in person, with our professional team ready to assist.
1st Choice Leisure Buildings offers far superior alternatives to budget brands, focusing on range, durability, and broad customisation options. All of our wooden sheds include free professional installation and can be designed with specific sizes, finishes, and features.
We have built a reputation for using only quality materials while offering expert guidance over mass-market, cheap import approaches. Visit our display site for hands-on advice and see the 1st Choice difference!
Visit Our Full Range of Garden Rooms Here
- Do I need planning permission for a garden room?Most do not, but anything over 2.5m tall or used as sleeping accommodation may require permission.
- How can I reduce expenses without compromising quality?Stick to standard sizes, prioritise insulation over decor, and source materials wisely.
- What are the maintenance costs associated with garden rooms?Basic upkeep includes repainting timber exteriors and occasional roof checks. Composite cladding requires minimal maintenance.
- What is the average cost of building a garden room?Prices typically range from £1,100 for basic models to £10,600 for high-spec garden rooms, depending on size and finish. Optional extras and upgrades will increase the price.
