We live quite far away; is it really worth visiting our show rooms?
Absolutely! We strongly urge anyone who is looking for a new building – whether it be a new garden shed, summerhouse, workshop, garage or a full garden room – to visit and inspect the quality in advance of committing to anyone.
Whilst we cannot display everything that we can offer we have carefully selected around 80 different buildings which allow us to demonstrate almost every feature in one form or another. So, yes, it is absolutely worth visiting.
If you are unsure, or unable to visit, then why not walk through our site virtually using our walk through tour below (or click here to open in a new full screen window).
Buying A Summer House For Reading? Questions To Ask Beforehand
1/ Will It Suit You?
It’s important, before you buy a new summerhouse or timber cabin, that you do a little legwork to ensure that your new garden building will suit you and your needs. This is because there are so many companies selling online, which can make it confusing and hard to make the right choice.
By following this guide, you can ask the right questions. It does involve a little work, but it will be well worth your time. You will find that most companies are open, upfront, and totally transparent about their products. Unfortunately, many try to mislead or hide information from potential customers and rely on you buying on price alone. I think we’ve all been warned: ‘If it sounds too good to be true, then it normally is so.’ Caveat emptor, or buyer beware. A comparison would be like comparing a bottom-of-the-range car with a Mercedes, which is two different things. Both are cars, but wildly different in specification. The same applies to summer buildings.
2/ Can You See The Building Beforehand?
Seeing a potential building in person before you buy is essential. It lets you judge if the price matches your expectations for your Reading home and ensures the quality meets your standards. Viewing the building also reassures you that you are dealing with a reputable company, not a fly-by-night operation. Even if you cannot visit a display site, knowing that a company is open to customer scrutiny should give you peace of mind. This transparency can boost your confidence in working with them. Relying only on a leaflet, brochure, or website can feel like a leap of faith.
3/ What Quality Timber is Used?
The quality of timber used in summer houses or timber buildings significantly affects the overall cost. Investing in high-quality timber is worthwhile, as it ensures greater durability and longevity. In contrast, lower-grade timber is typically reserved for indoor furniture, where it is protected from moisture. Using cheap timber outdoors is not recommended if you want the building to last.
4/ Is Redwood or Whitewood Used?
Most summer buildings and summer houses are made from softwood timber, usually redwood or whitewood deal. Good garden buildings are made from redwood deal, which grows slowly and has a tighter grain. This type of wood keeps some sap, so it feels a bit waxy. Cheaper buildings often use whitewood, which grows quickly and has a more open grain. Whitewood can dry out, and sometimes small knots may fall out. Redwood costs more, but it lasts longer. It’s a good idea to check these details before you order a summerhouse for delivery to Reading.
5/ Are the floors and Roofs Made from ‘Proper’ Timber?
In most budget summer buildings, you will notice the floors and roofs are made from OSB, waferboard, chipboard, or low-grade plywood, all chosen to cut costs. The problem is, these materials are a disaster waiting to happen anywhere moisture might sneak in, which is almost guaranteed outdoors. Once wet, the boards soak up water, swell, and quickly fall apart, leaving your building doomed to an early demise. To make matters worse, many of these bargain companies call their floors and roofs ‘solid sheet material’ to keep you in the dark about what they are really using. It sounds reassuring, but in reality, they are simply disguising the truth and relying on cheap, unsuitable materials.
6/ Do You Have The Choice of Size or Style?
Most garden building companies offer only a limited range of set sizes and styles. While these options may be adequate, a custom-built home tailored to your needs and location in Reading offers greater flexibility. With a bespoke design, you can choose the placement of doors and windows, select the ideal size, and pick a style that suits your preferences. Many web-based companies do not provide this level of customisation, but 1st Choice Leisure Buildings offers buildings in any size and style to meet your requirements. There is no need to compromise when you can have a solution designed for you.
7/ Do You Have To Pay Extra For Assembly?
Building a garden house is no walk in the park, and for many, it is far from enjoyable. While budget companies may insist that assembling it yourself is a breeze, the reality is quite different. You will find yourself hauling hefty timber panels and working hard to keep your new retreat safe from rain and wind. Sure, a skilled DIY enthusiast might relish the challenge, but getting it right is crucial. If the roof springs a leak, the responsibility falls squarely on your shoulders, not the supplier’s. That’s why I believe the best choice is to let the experts handle it: 1st Choice Leisure Buildings includes free assembly with every Royal, Platinum, and Diamond summerhouse in Reading.
8/ How Thick is the Framing?
The strength of your new garden building depends on the size of the timber framing. We recommend an internal vertical frame size of at least 2in x 2in (47mm x 47mm) to ensure durability in severe weather. Many low-cost manufacturers use frames as small as 1in x 1in (25mm x 25mm), which is only one-quarter of the recommended size. Choosing a larger frame will help your building withstand harsh conditions.
9/ How Tall is Your Proposed New Building?
Before you buy, take a moment to check the height of any building you have your eye on and find out if the measurements are INTERNAL or EXTERNAL. The difference can be as much as 6 inches, and some companies are not always upfront about it. Reputable summerhouse and workshop makers will give you plenty of headroom inside. Save yourself from stooping around like the Hunchback of Notre Dame and double-check before you commit.
10/ What Conditions are Attached to Guarantees?
Normally, with a summerhouse, as well as garden sheds or garden workshops, there will be a standard warranty of at least 12 months; however, some web companies offer 10-year warranties, which sound great. Peace of mind included – that’s got to be good. But like most things, if it sounds too good to be true, then it usually is. And it’s in the detail where these 10-year warranties fall down. You will find that you have to treat your new building as a condition each year. Any garden building treated every year will last more or less indefinitely, so treat these 10-year warranties with a ‘pinch of salt’. And where will you find these conditions on their websites? Your guess is as good as mine, because they don’t want you to see them.
11/ Are The Buildings Made in the UK or Stockpiled?
When wooden buildings are made in the UK for each customer, quality can be controlled, but if they are shipped in from abroad or stockpiled in open yards, they could be damaged during transport before delivery to you in Reading. This may keep the price a little lower, but surely it’s good to know the building has been made for YOU and will arrive in perfect condition.
12/ Previous customers’ views are so important, so always take a look at what they are saying. Take a look at the feedback from our customers from Google, Trust Pilot and WhiteSpark. Sometimes we don’t get it 100% right the first time (but we try the very best to ensure we do), but we always follow through to ensure the best outcome for our customers.
13/ This brings us back to why you should be choosing a new summer house for your Reading home. Keeping your home life and work in balance is key, as well as saving time and money. But there is nothing which beats owning your little world and sitting with nature in your garden. This is why you should consider the features that are important to you, the size of your new contemporary sun room, and the general layout that suits you. Do not rush this decision – talk to the experts and go view some examples of the building. Only by doing this can you appreciate the quality (or otherwise) and what your expectations should be. Don’t lower your expectations – only buy the building which is right for you. Or choose a bespoke summer room just for you.
14/ Conclusion and Advice?
It can be quite exciting to buy a new garden summer house to share with your family or a timber workshop for your hobby; however, it’s important to ask questions beforehand. By using this guide, you can ask the right questions and, by doing so, are likely to be happy with your new building and not regret it, thinking, ‘Why did I not check?’
Call us now on 01483 237550, contact us or visit our showroom and view examples of our garden room offices. I promise you won’t get the ‘hard sell’, just honest, unbiased advice from a family business established for over 47 years. We look forward to seeing you.
Reading, Slough, Henley upon Thames, Wokingham, Maidenhead in Berkshire are just a few of the areas covered for our Summer Rooms
From £2,114