Garden Office Cost

Garden Office Cost Calculator

How Much Does a Garden Office Cost To Build?

The average cost of a garden office is £15,000

Depending on overall quality, a small, fully insulated timber garden office with electrics can cost between £9,000 and £15,000, a medium garden office costs between £12,000 and £20,000, and a large garden office costs between £18,000 and £30,000.

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A brick garden office will cost between £16,000 and £58,000 depending on size and spec. If you have the external space and are willing to go through requesting planning permission, this could be a viable option.

According to recent research, 28% of UK workers are now working from home for at least part of the week, and this has remained above pre-pandemic levels since 2020.

Typically, this type of outbuilding costs less than extending your home or converting existing spaces like a garage, loft, or basement.

The cost of a garden room varies based on the materials used or the features included. For example, many brands offer construction and painting services, which are usually extra.

A purpose-built office can be obtained in two ways:

• You can order buildings based on a predefined blueprint and have the components supplied and ready to assemble.
• You can hire an architect to design your building, bespoke for your space, with a construction team sourcing the materials for you.

The second option will increase the cost of your garden office, but you can tailor it to your exact needs.

Garden Office Price List

How Much Does a Garden Office Builder Cost to Hire?

The number of people working on the project, the length of the job, the ease of access, the condition of the workspace, and your location in the UK are all common factors that influence labour costs.

Let's take a look at garden office labour costs and timescales:

• The average labour cost per worker is between £185 and £210 per day.
• For a typical team of 2 to 4 workers, the total labour cost will be £370 to £840 per day.
• More complex garden office builds can rise to £1,100 per day in labour costs.
• Total labour cost for a small to medium garden office is usually £750 to £1,700.
• Total labour cost for a large garden office is usually £2,600 to £8,400.
• Materials usually make up around 65% of the total garden office cost, with labour costs being the other 35%.
• Building a small to medium-sized modular garden office design takes about 2 days on-site.
• Most large garden office building projects take between 7 and 10 days to complete on-site.

On-site construction teams are typically made up of 2 to 4 people. The size and complexity of the structure determine the number.

Other team members, including electricians and plasterers, may join during the construction phase if additional skills and experience are required.

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Cost of Garden Office Building Materials

Now, let's take a look at supply costs.

Depending on the building company you choose, laying the groundwork may be included in the overall cost of the garden office. However, in some cases, you may need to hire groundworkers and landscapers separately to prepare the plot.

The external cladding, insulation, double glazing, and roof covering are already included in your overall garden office cost.

Additional Garden Office Costs

If you want a luxurious garden office, you must be ready for the cost of your garden office to rise.

Here are the additional garden office costs you need to be aware of when putting together your project's budget:

• Plumbing Work — Installing a toilet or kitchenette adds labour, installation, and material costs, along with any associated electrical work. A toilet typically costs between £1,100 and £2,200, while a shower room can cost £3,300.
• Floor Insulation — Floor insulation costs around £300 to retrofit in a 10m² room, though the prices you're quoted when originally building the garden office will likely be lower.
• Underfloor Heating — Underfloor heating costs around £880 to install in a single room. Installing this during the construction phase will be less expensive than doing it in the future.
• Glazing Upgrades — Wall-to-ceiling windows and bi-fold doors are popular, but can significantly increase the overall cost. Bifold doors cost around £3,300 to buy and install, while the typical cost of patio doors with installation is £680.
• Painting and Decorating — The cost of painting a room is mainly determined by the size of the room. Outside of London, most decorators charge around £165 to £220 per day, putting a standard 4m by 3m room at £385 to £495 including paint.
• Architect Plans — Architect fees for a basic set of plans will typically cost around £440. For more detailed plans that outline the full scope of the work, you should expect to pay up to £1,650.
• Garden Office Interior — Deciding upon choices when it comes to the likes of flooring, bespoke storage, office furniture, and equipment requirements can quickly add to the overall budget.

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Factors That Impact Garden Office Costs

Several factors can influence the overall cost of installing a garden office.

• Location in the UK — Costs may be higher if your property is difficult to access, particularly in rural areas. Labour prices are also typically higher in London, where a full, installed garden office costs between £18,000 and £28,000, while in the north of the UK the cost ranges between £13,000 and £20,000.
• Size of the Garden Room — Larger garden rooms require more materials and labour, which directly increases the overall cost of the project.
• Shape of the Garden Room — Unusual shapes or non-right-angle walls increase build complexity and cost. Additional features such as walkways or pergolas will also raise the final price.
• Choice of Material — Whether you're going for a basic wooden outhouse or a solid timber build, you will need to budget accordingly.
• Groundwork Preparation — If the site requires levelling, drainage improvements, or tree removal, this can significantly increase labour and equipment costs.

What's Involved in Building a Garden Office?

Building a garden office isn't something most people could DIY, especially when groundworks and electrical work are involved.

Due to this not being a job you can typically do yourself, most homeowners choose to hire a local builder.

With MyJobQuote, you can get free quotes from builders near you, with zero obligation to go ahead.

Here is the typical process for having a garden office built:

Before the Job Starts

• Site Setup — Before any groundwork or building of a support frame is completed, obstructions such as trees, underground pipework and electrical wiring, garden furniture etc are removed from the site if required.
• Power and Cabling — With the help of a certified electrician, the office power supply needs to be connected to the house. This is likely to include an armoured cable, which can be dug underground or installed along a fence, both of which will potentially take a significant amount of time.

During the Job

• Base is Installed — The builder installs either plinth supports, which are cheaper and improve drainage but can reduce insulation and allow vermin access, or a solid concrete foundation, which offers the most stable, durable, and level base for construction.
• Walls are Installed — The wall structure is built, fitted with insulation and exterior cladding is fitted. During the build, any windows and doors are fitted accordingly.
• Roof is Constructed — A flat roof is often the most straight-forward option with a single gutter, while an apex or dual-pitched roof can run lengthways or rise to a central peak. The roof overhang is also built accordingly, along with any drainage requirements.
• Internal Features — Once the external framework has been completed, the interior needs to be painted and decorated, including the likes of any fixtures and fittings.

After the Job

• Completion — You'll need to wait about another week and in dry weather (longer if conditions are poor) for the structure to be completely finished. Once given the go ahead, you can then start on the final touches to make your garden office functional.

Cost of Different Types of Garden Office

To help you decide which garden office is right for you, let's go over the main materials you can choose from:

Softwood Treated Garden Office Cost

• Softwood treated garden office cost — £12,000 to £15,000.

The entry-level timber cladding used on garden offices is fast-growing pine cladding, which is a honey colour in its natural state. It's simple to work with and can be used for various cladding profiles.

In its natural state, it's not a long-lasting cladding, so pine cladding necessitates UV protection and resistance to rot, insect, and fungal attack. Softwood cladding is readily available, making it less costly than traditional timber cladding.

Pros

• ✔ Affordable, and readily available.
• ✔ Easy to work with.
• ✔ Customisable with stains and paint.

Cons

• ✖ Not as long-lasting as hardwood.
• ✖ Will need regular maintenance to prevent water damage.
• ✖ Shorter lifespan than hardwood cladding.

Thermowood Garden Office Cost

• Thermowood garden office cost — £14,000 to £17,500.

Thermowood is roasted to extremely high temperatures, which preserves it. Because of this, garden offices clad in this material are usually left unfinished.

Pros

• ✔ Heat-treated wood to give good resistance to the elements.
• ✔ Long-lasting, durable material.
• ✔ Has natural resistance to pests.

Cons

• ✖ Will change colour over the years as the timber weathers.
• ✖ More expensive than softwood materials.
• ✖ While hard-wearing, it's not as durable as hardwood can be.

Cedar Garden Office Cost

• Cedar garden office cost — £15,000 to £19,000.

Western red cedar is a common choice for garden office cladding because it's a durable wood with natural insect and fungus resistance.

Pros

• ✔ Easy to maintain the wood's natural redness.
• ✔ Naturally resistant to pests and external elements.
• ✔ Little maintenance needed over the years.

Cons

• ✖ Cedar wood costs more than softwood.
• ✖ The wood's colour will fade over time.
• ✖ Fairly susceptible to dents.

Siberian Larch Garden Office Cost

• Siberian larch garden office cost — £16,000 to £20,000.

Siberian larch's inherent resilience makes it an excellent choice for garden office cladding. This is partly related to the resin in the wood, which makes it resistant to rot and fungus attack.

Pros

• ✔ Resistance to rot and fungus.
• ✔ Durable wood with resilience to the elements.
• ✔ Aesthetically pleasing, with a high-end finish.

Cons

• ✖ Can be tricky to work with and install.
• ✖ May crack over time.
• ✖ An expensive timber choice.

MDF Garden Office (Exterior Grade) Cost

• MDF garden office cost — £11,500 to £14,500.

MDF is a popular cladding material because it's available in large sheets with few joints. Although unfinished outer grade MDF has a greenish tint, its polishing is perfect for painting.

Pros

• ✔ Easy to install.
• ✔ Readily available, and low-cost.
• ✔ Smooth finish, ideal for painting and staining.

Cons

• ✖ Not as durable as natural timber.
• ✖ Can look cheap compared to other options.
• ✖ Quick to deteriorate if not properly treated.

Checklist: Hiring a Garden Office Builder in the UK

Below are some things to consider when hiring a contractor for a garden office, to help ensure you make an informed choice:

• Have you seen their previous building work? Take a look at their past projects to get an idea of their standard and quality of work. Ask specifically to see examples of any garden office buildings they have completed recently.
• Are you reading their customer reviews? Check online testimonials and see their MyJobQuote page for reviews and customer feedback. Pay close attention to any remarks on their work ethic, timekeeping, and tidiness on site.
• Do they have public liability insurance? Insurance is equally as important for all parties involved, and although not a legal requirement, most reputable tradesmen will at least be protected against accidental damage or personal injury.
• Have you asked about any warranties or guarantees? Whether it's in regard to the garden office itself or the builder's labour, make sure you have everything in writing, especially should you need anything repaired soon after the build is complete.
• Are they able to self-certify?Check whether their electrician is Part P registered and can self-certify the electrical work, or if not, ask if they are coordinating with your local authority so you can be provided with a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate.
• Have you gathered at least three quotes? Compare several quotes from different builders. With MyJobQuote, you can find local contractors in your area who are ready to provide quick, free quotes for your garden office plans.

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