Home / Is it worth it?
Is a garden room worth it? The most common regrets
Most people who build a garden room use it every day and wouldn't be without it. The ones who regret it usually made one of a handful of avoidable mistakes. Here they are.
The regrets that come up most
"We should have gone bigger"
The most common one. A room that's fine as an office on paper feels tight with a desk, a chair, storage and a second person. Because fixed costs are similar for small and large rooms, going up a size often costs less than people expect. Mark the size out in the garden with string and put the furniture in it before you decide.
"It's freezing in winter" or "It's an oven in summer"
Usually down to thin insulation in the floor or roof, too much glass, or no plan for heating and ventilation. Read our insulation guide before you choose a company.
"We didn't think about power and internet"
Electrics often aren't in the headline price, and wifi from the house rarely reaches the bottom of the garden. Plan the cable route and the internet connection at the start, not after the room is built.
"It took over the garden"
Check how much garden you'll have left, where the sun falls during the day, and the view from the house. A room in the sunniest spot can take the best bit of your garden.
"The company went quiet after we paid"
Check reviews, ask to see finished rooms, ask how deposits are protected, and get the specification and guarantee in writing. Our quote checklist covers what to compare.
"We needed planning permission after all"
Most often from going over 2.5m tall near a boundary, or from planning to sleep in it. Run your plans through the planning checker first.
Does a garden room add value to a house?
A well-built, insulated room with power can make a house more appealing, especially to buyers who work from home. A cheap, cold or unapproved one can put buyers off. What tends to help when you sell:
- The electrical certificate and any building regulations sign-off.
- A lawful development certificate, or proof it's within permitted development.
- A transferable guarantee from the company that built it.
- A room that still leaves a usable garden.
So is it worth it?
If you'll use it most days, as an office, a gym or space away from a busy house, a garden room is usually far cheaper and quicker than an extension and doesn't disrupt the house while it's built. If you're not sure how you'd use it, start by pricing it properly with the cost calculator.
Questions people ask
Does a garden room add value to your house?
A good one can make a house more appealing, especially with its electrical certificate, approvals and a transferable guarantee. A poorly built or unapproved one can put buyers off.
Is a garden room cheaper than an extension?
Usually yes, and it's built far faster, without the house becoming a building site. An extension adds space to the house itself, though, which a garden room can't.