Are Summer Houses Worth It? [Pros & Cons]

If you’ve looked into extensions and garden buildings you’ve probably considered a summer house. These garden buildings can be your home away from home and have a variety of uses including home gyms, offices, workshops, and lounge areas. But are summer houses worth it and are they as good as people say? I dissect this classic outbuilding below and give you the low down.

What is the Point of a Summer House?

A summer house is a standalone structure typically built of wood that sits somewhere in your garden. Traditionally, summer houses were used exclusively during warmer months as a place to relax and be closer to nature.

However, as technologies and building techniques have evolved, so has the summer house. Today, summer houses can be fully insulated complete with double-glazed windows, insulated flooring, and are great for use all year round.

If you ever wanted more room in your house or an area dedicated to a specific task, a summer house is perfect. It could be a home gym, a bar, and lounge, a home office, a play area for your kids, or even an art studio – the possibilities are endless.

Simply put, the point of a summer house is to give you extra room to play with on your property!

Summer House Pros and Cons

So what’s the point of a summerhouse? It gives you extra room and can be a haven away from your home. To give you a realistic outlook on their worth, I have listed the summer house pros and cons below:

Pros

• Additional room: The main benefit is that you are getting an additional room in your property and this isn’t easy to do without expensive extensions or simply buying a new house! Providing you have the space in your garden you are essentially getting a separate room for a fraction of the typical cost.
• Purpose-built: You can use a summer house for so many different reasons such as a gym, home office, play area, bar, or just a lounge to relax in. If you ever wanted a special space for your passion, or to give you more freedom to jiggle the rooms in your house, a summer house can help.
• No planning permission: Generally, providing the summer house meets the criteria it falls under permitted development and does not require planning permission. It has to be below a certain height and size, but in most instances, no additional paperwork or planning is needed.
• Cost-effective: Compared to things like loft conversions, house extensions, and conservatories, summer houses are incredibly cost-effective and you can still get a premium finish. This is a great alternative to spending tens of thousands moving house or going through the stress and upheaval of having a building extension or loft conversion.

Cons

• Lose garden space: The main detriment is that you obviously lose some garden space so this means your kids or pets may have less room to play for example.
• Periodic maintenance: Over time, as with any wood structure, summer houses may need additional maintenance too, to upkeep their quality.
• Continued use: Despite summer houses in the UK being cost-effective, you still need to use them regularly to warrant the cost and building process.

Is a Summer House Right for You?

I hope you now have a realistic picture of what a summer house can do for you and your property. That being said, these structures may not be suitable for everyone and before jumping into such a venture I advise asking the following questions:

• Do I have a suitable space available in my garden?
• Do I have a valid use for the summer house?
• Would I use it often enough to warrant the cost?
• Can electricity easily be connected?
• Would the reduced garden space be worth it?

Firstly, you have to have space in your garden! The minimum size of our summer houses is 6ft x 6ft so you need at least that available with a flat surface where the base can be placed.

Next, would you actually use it? There is no point in buying a summer house if you are only going to use it once or twice a year. If you want a summer house for something like a home office or gym then the cost is definitely warranted.

Lastly, other things like electricity, heating, and the garden space you lose should be considered, and the impact it could have on your kids and pets if you have them.

A Summer House Could be The Perfection Addition to Your Home

An insulated summer house made from premium materials really can be a brilliant addition to your home. But are summer houses worth it? Certainly! If you’ve always wanted an extra room in your house or a special area for your kids or work, a summer house is a perfect solution.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Are Summer Houses Worth It?