Is it Cheaper to Buy or Build a Garden Room?

These days, we’re all looking for ways to cut financial corners. DIY, when done right, can certainly save you money while also acquiring some skills that will serve you for the rest of your life.

But if you are looking to build your own garden room, it’s more than just whether you have the skills to do it or the raw materials; there are a number of different factors at play. Is it cheaper to build your own?

It is possible and can be cheaper. However, to give you a clearer picture, you need to understand the pros and cons of building one yourself versus buying one. Let’s dive in.

Self Build a Garden Room – The Pros

Cost Savings
One of the primary benefits of building a garden building yourself is the potential for saving money. The main areas you could save money on are many:

• You can opt for a cost-effective and efficient design in terms of the materials and the construction, such as the frame, insulation, cladding and exterior finishes, doors and windows, and interior finishes (such as plywood or MDF).
• Self-build kits that come with pre-cut materials and detailed instructions can be incredibly friendly on your budget.
• You can select widely available and more cost-effective materials—for example, construction timber for the frame or plywood for the interior.
• You could also look for second-hand materials or reclaimed items that can be repurposed, for example, reclaimed windows or doors.
• Doing the construction tasks yourself will save on labour costs. You can also take the time to compare prices and look for discounts on building materials that can keep the overall costs low.

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Regent Range

Royal Buildings

Platinum Range

• When you are building one yourself, you have control over the overall configuration of the space, including the size and the shape.
• You can play with the purpose and the usage. For example, you can tailor it to be an entertainment area, art studio, or garden office, which brings a whole heap of advantages when doing it yourself.
• You can select the appropriate insulation, heating, and even electrical and plumbing features, which all bring unique benefits.
• You can choose the materials and finishes for both the interior and exterior to create a specific look that complements your home and your personal style.
• Additionally, you can create a building with one eye towards the future. You can modify or expand the space as your needs change over time.

It Increases Your Property’s Value
A well-designed and built garden room can add significant value to your property and potentially provide a return on your investment over time. Estimates suggest it can add a minimum of 5% to the value of a home, which means that on a property valued at £300,000, this could be anywhere from £15,000 upwards. However, the exact increase can depend on many factors, including:

• Size.
• Quality.
• Location of the garden building.
• The overall property’s value. Garden rooms are seen as a desirable feature that can attract buyers and make a property more appealing on the market because of the versatility of the space and the fact it’s an extra room.

A Feeling of Achievement
One of the main benefits isn’t to do with money, but a significant sense of accomplishment comes with completing a DIY project like this. Knowing you’ve created something functional and tangible for your own home is a big part of the glory that comes with any DIY project.

Energy Efficient Fully Insulated Garden Rooms

The Cons of Building a Garden Room

The Time It Takes
Building can be time-consuming for a few key reasons:

• If you don’t have extensive DIY experience, building a garden office from the ground up can take significantly longer because you’ve got to learn many skills and techniques.
• Building involves many steps like constructing the frame, laying the foundations, cladding, finishing the interiors, and more, each requiring time and care to complete correctly.
• DIY projects can often come with many unexpected issues or problems that need troubleshooting and resolving, extending the overall time frame.
• Depending on the size and location of your new structure, you may need to obtain planning permission. While in most cases, the garden room falls under permitted development rules in the UK, if you intend to either use it as a separate living space for commercial purposes or exceed the criteria of being a single-story structure with a maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres and an overall height of 4 metres (for a dual-pitched roof) or 3 metres (for other roof types), planning permission will be required.
• Researching, sourcing, and procuring all the necessary materials and tools can be time-consuming, especially when looking for more cost-effective options. The cost of raw materials can vary significantly depending on what you want. It’s important to carefully budget and account for all the necessary materials, especially as bargain prices can inflate into something far beyond your financial capabilities. Many building specialists have been moaning about the price rises of some raw materials, and you need to consider this, especially concerning your overall skillset.

Buying a pre-built building from a specialist company can be much quicker because professionals handle the construction and installation, and the time and effort required to do it yourself can be removed. Building a garden building is a time-consuming process that you need to fit around your work, family, and other commitments, which can make the process far more drawn out.
What is Your Skillset?
Building anything requires a certain level of DIY knowledge, but it’s more than just this. The key skill requirements can include:

• Understand construction techniques like cladding, insulation, and framing.
• Competence in power tools and hand tools.
• The ability to read and follow construction plans and instructions.
• Ensuring the garden room construction and design comply with the relevant regulations and potentially obtaining a lawful development certificate if the new room does not fall under permitted development.
• There are also various project management skills that many people underestimate, for example, sourcing all necessary tools and materials, managing the construction timeline, and coordinating the project while also having problem-solving skills to address any unexpected challenges that arise.

A Poor Quality Finish
You must be a skilled tradesperson to achieve the same quality standard for your building. This might mean it needs to be more aesthetically pleasing or structurally unsound, not to mention the risk of accidents during construction. Without professional guidance, there’s a higher chance of making mistakes that could compromise the appearance or integrity of the structure.
Hidden Costs
DIY projects often come with unexpected expenses. If you attempt to make a garden room yourself, the potential hidden costs could occur in some of the following areas:

• Materials.
• Tools.
• Corrections if you make any mistakes.

A general rule of thumb when building is to add a contingency buffer to your overall budget to account for costs, typically 10% to 20%. This means that the hidden costs can become more than we realise.

Factory Painted Garden Rooms

Sadolin 'Blue Grey' Wood Stain

Sadolin 'Hidcote Green' Stain

Sadolin 'Polynedia White' Paint

Sadolin 'White' Wood Stain

The Pros of Buying a Pre-Built Garden Room

Minimal Work on Your Part
Building your own is no easy task because it requires a lot of physical effort and time, which can be physically, mentally, and financially draining.
In contrast, buying a pre-built structure requires no work and is relatively stress-free because all you need to do is make sure you’ve cleared space where the new room will be. After that, the professionals do everything.
This convenience is more appealing than a DIY approach, in which the homeowner is only responsible for some tasks. Buying a pre-built unit is less stressful, as there’s no need to coordinate the construction process in any way.
Professional Involvement
When you purchase a factory-made building, you work with professionals who bring experience and expertise, meaning it will be constructed properly and safely.
When you work with a professional company that can help you tailor the building to meet your requirements, this level of professional involvement ensures you build it to a high standard and quickly solve any potential problems because the experts have done and seen it all before.
Convenient Installation Methods
After arriving at the site, the company manages the entire installation process. It requires minimal effort from the homeowner, meaning you will benefit in many ways. You don’t have to worry about the various aspects of construction, but you can also get peace of mind and a faster turnaround. Typically, it is completed the same day, meaning minimal disruption to your routine.
Quality Assurance
If there’s one significant benefit of having a pre-made building, it’s that every aspect is of a high standard. Factory-made garden rooms are built with high quality and precision, allowing for better quality control compared to a DIY approach. Most reputable suppliers offer a building warranty covering structural issues and components. This provides peace of mind for any homeowner and is an excellent reason for anyone who is weighing up the budget of doing it themselves.

When we look at the costs of making our own, there can be a warranty on some parts, but we’ve got to factor in how much extra time this will take to rectify. When you start to put a value on how much time it takes to fix particular issues, it can be far less hassle to go with a professional company.

The Cons of Buying a Garden Room

Is There Less Flexibility?
When you build one yourself, you can do it just as you want, including the materials, colour, size, and shape. When buying a garden structure, there can certainly be limited creativity and flexibility. Still, most suppliers have a range of sizes and designs, so you may need to have a particular vision of what you would like.

However, at 1st Choice, we will build a building according to your specific requirements, whether it’s size, cladding, design, the position of doors and windows, or many other options.

A pre-built garden building comes in various sizes and product ranges. If you find an ideal one, but it’s not in the right colour, or there’s something ever so slightly missing, you can take the time to customise these components yourself, especially as all the hard work has been done for you.
The (Potential) Higher Cost
While buying a pre-built unit is generally more convenient and free from hassle, the upfront cost could be higher than the materials and the DIY labour costs of building it yourself. However, the DIY approach can mean hidden costs that offset the initial savings, making the pre-build option more viable.

Which is the More Viable Option?

Learning how to build a garden room yourself can offer significant cost savings because you’re avoiding labour costs, but many hidden challenges and costs can offset these.

When you purchase one from a specialist company such as us, you guarantee professional-grade construction quality and expertise, which can be difficult to match when you are even the most skilled DIY enthusiast. Building these buildings requires substantial time and specific instruction skills, which a typical homeowner may need to possess; this can lead to several quality issues and further costs to rectify any mistakes.

Ultimately, you must be a skilled tradesperson with experience building similar structures to get the same results as purchasing a professionally built garden room from a reputable company like us. So contact us today, and let’s see how we can help you. All of our rooms and offices are made to suit your needs. Also, free installation is included as standard, so why consider doing it yourself?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) How Long Do Garden Rooms Last?