Is it Cheaper to Buy or Build a Garden Room?

So, you’re considering investing in a garden room and you’ve looked at the prices. You think they seem a little expensive so are thinking about building one yourself. Seems easy enough right? It’s basically just a shed!

This is not the case. Garden rooms are much more than glorified sheds and include insulation and a durable frame. In the below article, I look at the reality of the situation and if it’s cheaper to build your own garden room, or if buying a pre-made structure is the more realistic option.

Building a Garden Room Yourself

It IS possible to build a garden room yourself and it CAN be cheaper. The main benefit is that you save on labour costs and delivery costs. However, to give you a clearer picture I discuss the pros and cons below:

Pros

• Greater flexibility: If you build your own garden room, you can do it on your own watch and to fit your schedule. You don’t have to wait in for the installation or deliveries – you can simply crack on with the work as and when you like.
• More customisation: Building your own garden room essentially gives you a blank canvas and you can build it exactly as you want. This includes the materials, colour, size, and shape. Sometimes, there are limits to creativity and flexibility when buying a garden room.
• Saving on labour costs: The main area that building your own garden room is cheaper is the saving on labour costs. In the UK, labour costs are often one of the most expensive components, so cutting that out means you can spend less on the project.

Cons

• Poor quality finish: Can you honestly say that you can build a garden room to the same standard of quality as a professional company with employees who build garden rooms daily? Unless you are a skilled tradesperson, it’s highly doubtful. Therefore, you might save a little, but will you be satisfied with the end results and will it even be structurally sound?
• Potential safety issues: With a pre-built garden room, there is no safety concern. The company will have a plan in place to ensure your structure is installed safely. The same can’t be said when building your own garden room. What happens if you have an accident? This could have greater cost and well-being implications such as time off work unpaid.
• Hidden costs: Even if you have bought your materials and tools there could be additional hidden costs that you simply haven’t considered. Is it cheaper to build your own garden room? Yes, providing you get everything perfect! What if you damage some of the materials or cut them wrong?

Buying a Pre-Built Garden Room

Buying affordable insulated garden rooms is generally the better option. As you will see below, you basically have to do nothing except order the structure! It’s easy, convenient, and there is no chance for your money and time to be wasted either:

Pros

• Little to no work involved: Building your own garden room is no easy task and it takes a heap of physical effort and time and this can be draining. In contrast, buying a pre-built garden room requires virtually no work on your part. It’s the more convenient and stress-free option, regardless of the cost.
• Professional construction: Regardless of it you are skilled or not, the workers building your garden room will do a better job! They do this for a living and the construction quality of a pre-built garden office will be superior to your efforts.
• Convenient installation: All you need to do is make sure you have cleared the site where the garden room base will be placed. After that, the installation (including the base if you choose) is done by the company so you can sit back and relax.
• Quality assurance: Buying a pre-built garden room from a reputable company gives you quality assurance. In most instances, the structure has a warranty, but the company will also put right any issues you have after the initial installation at no extra cost.

Cons

• Less flexibility: The only real downside to buying a garden room is the flexibility. Most garden rooms have a set range of sizes and designs and there isn’t as much room for customization. Some people may need their garden room to be a specific size or shape for example.

Buying a Garden Room is the More Viable Option

Building your own garden room may save a little and can be cheaper, but you have to ask yourself if it’s worth the hassle, stress, and physical effort.

Unless you are a skilled tradesperson and have experience building similar structures, you won’t be able to get the same end results as simply buying a professionally-built garden room from a reputable company like 1st Choice Leisure Buildings.