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Your Questions Answered: Garden Rooms, Offices, Planning Permission and More.

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Garden Rooms 

For your convenience, we've divided the FAQs into two categories: General FAQs and Planning Permission FAQs. Explore each section to find the information you need.

Frequently asked questions about Hideaway Garden Rooms
  • How much will a Hideaway garden room cost me?
    Along with a list of features included as standard, you will find starting prices on the specific room's page, under the 'Our Rooms' section of our website. Alternatively, you can download or request a pricing brochure that covers all sizes for each of our room designs. Custom builds are priced individually. Our dedicated Sales team is here to discuss your needs and help bring your vision to life. Begin your journey with us by receiving a complimentary, no-obligation quote either remotely or in person. Message us today to get started!
  • What is the payment plan?
    To secure your installation dates, we require a £750 deposit. This deposit is refundable up to 3 months before the agreed installation start date. For full details on our payment terms, please message us or download our pricing brochure by clicking the link below:
  • Which areas do you cover?
    Our services extend across London, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, and Berkshire. Don't hesitate to reach out if you're outside these regions; we're here to accommodate your needs wherever possible.
  • How long will it take and how do I prepare the ground for my garden room?
    Preparing for your Hideaway garden room is effortless. Whether on grass or patio, just ensure the area is cleared, and we'll handle the rest. If your land isn't level, leave it to us – we can take care of that too. Construction typically spans from 3 to 10 days, depending on your exact specifications. As lead times fluctuate seasonally, get in touch today for more information and to begin creating your ideal outdoor space.
  • Do I need planning permission if I wish to install a bathroom in my garden room?
    If you plan to install your garden building with necessities that could be associated with the main house, such as a toilet and shower, this is no longer considered incidental and it's likely you'll have to apply for planning permission.
  • What if I live in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or World Heritage Site?
    If your home is located on any World Heritage Site or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, there are a few different building regulations you'll have to follow: The maximum size of the outbuilding (located more than 20 metres from your house) is 10 square metres If any part of your new building sits between the side of your house and the boundary of your property, you must seek planning permission For those living in listed buildings, you must automatically get planning permission for any outbuilding you plan to build
  • What if I want to use my garden building for leisure purposes?
    If you're looking for a bit of extra studio space for artistic endeavours, music practice or a games room, and your building complies with the necessary dimension specifications, it's unlikely you'll need to seek planning permission. However, there are always exceptions to the rule. Always seek professional advice from the council or call Hideaway garden rooms for more information.
  • What are the building regulations for garden buildings?
    You won't normally have to adhere to any building regulations, as long as your garden building: Does not include sleeping facilities Does not exceed 15 square metres Is not attached to your main home If your garden building is between 15 and 30 square metres, you still won't have to comply with building regulations so long as there's no sleeping accommodation, it's more than 1 metre from your boundary and your building is made of non-combustible materials.
  • Do I need planning permission if I intend to live in or rent out my garden room?
    If your garden room is intended as a guest house or some kind of self-contained living accommodation, particularly if you're aiming to rent it out regularly, it's also likely you'll have to apply for planning permission.
  • Planning permission overview
    Garden rooms are fantastic alternatives to extensions or conservatories and can be purpose-built to your requirements. They're an ideal solution if you're after more space, but don't want to up sticks and move house. All garden rooms are subject to permitted development rules. Fortunately, more often than not you won't need planning permission for your dream garden building. Where you'll position your garden room, what size of room you require and its intended use will all affect whether or not you'll need to seek planning permission. It's also crucial that you take the time to understand which building regulations you must adhere to before you commit to building a garden room.
  • What is permitted development?
    Permitted development rights cover outbuildings or any build that could be considered "incidental" to the property. Essentially, they're anything that could be perceived as an addition to the main home. As I'm sure you'll have gathered, this is where it can get complicated. What is considered "incidental" can vary from person to person, so it's always best to double-check with your local council if your building will comply with permitted development rules. A good measure is to ask yourself whether your garden room could possibly cause any kind of disruption to the community on a regular and ongoing basis. This is why you must be clear about what you intend to use your space for before beginning the building process. If you go ahead and build without planning permission, the council could ask you to apply for permission in retrospect. If your application is then denied, you'll have to take your garden building down.
  • What other rules do I have to follow?
    Whether or not you need planning permission will also depend on your compliance with a few other rules. The majority of these pertain to the height and the location of your new garden room. Should your room not meet these requirements, you may have to seek further permission from your local planning department. These requirements are as follows: Your garden room cannot be in front of your house The total area of your room cannot exceed more than 50% of the total area around your house Your garden building must be single-storey and less than 3 metres high, or 4 metres with a dual pitched roof There is a maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres above ground level if you’re within 2 meters of your property boundary There is no balcony or veranda It isn't going to be used as self-contained living accommodation
  • Do I need planning permission for a garden room?
    In most cases, garden rooms are classed as outbuildings, which means you won't have to seek any kind of planning permission to build your space. However, this applies to you only if you have permitted development rights at your home or the area you live in. For example, you won't have permitted development rights if you live in a flat, tenement, maisonette or apartment building. If you're unsure about the rules for your home, please contact us or your local planning office for some advice.

How does the process work?

Four simple steps.

1. Introduction

Get in touch via our contact page, email, social media, or by phone to discuss your vision.

1. How to build a Garden Room - FAQs on ordering and building garden rooms in Surrey
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