The Costs to Build a Garden Office

Garden buildings are becoming increasingly popular, especially those that are fully insulated and designed to be garden offices. But, it’s not enough to simply start a garden room project, without doing a fair bit of research beforehand.

You need to know how much the project is going to cost you, and there are various factors to take into account. Even the need for natural light, doors and windows can impact the cost. In this guide, we have taken a look at garden office costs and what you can get for your budget.

Average Costs to Build a Garden Office

The cost of building a garden office varies hugely, which is why it’s important to look at the average price.

The cost of building a 2m2 garden office ranges from £9,250 to £20,000, with an average cost of around £13,500, depending on the materials that you choose.

This price increases for a larger garden office, to between £13,000 and £38,800 for a 4m x 3m space, with an average cost of around £24,605.

Unsurprisingly, the cost of a 6m x 4m garden office is higher once again, with average prices ranging from £21,000 to £63,000.

Different Types of Garden Office – Costs

Timber Garden Office

The average cost of building a timber garden office is between £5,000 to £30,000. For a basic, smaller timber garden office, prices start at around £5,000. A fully customised, large garden office with premium finishes, advanced technology and double glazing can cost around £40,000 or more.

Metal Garden Office

On average, you can expect to pay between £10,000 and £30,000 for a standard metal garden office, with a 3m x 2.5m office costing between £12,000 to £15,000.

PVC Garden Office

The price of a PVC garden office ranges from around £3,000 to £20,000, depending on the size and design. As the size increases, so does the cost.

Glass Garden Office

The price for a glass garden office starts around £20,000 and can go up to £50,000, depending on the size. Smaller garden offices, those 2.5m x 2.5m, usually start at around £21,995.

Brick Garden Office

Prices for brick garden offices start from around £22,000 and they can rise to £26,500 for more complex builds.

Concrete Garden Office

On average, the cost ranges from £15,000 to £30,000 for a standard garden office. This price includes work on the foundations, the materials and installation.

Composite Garden Office

The average cost to build a composite garden office – which is built using a blend wood, polymers and resins – in the UK ranges from approximately £15,000 to £25,000,

Insulated Panel Garden Office

The price of an insulated panel garden office ranges from £12,500 to £24,235. More spacious and customisable options can range from £13,300 for smaller sizes to £24,235 for larger models.

Converted Shed Garden Office

On average, converting an existing shed into a garden office ranges from £1,500 to £5,000.

Factors Affecting Costs

Materials

Your choice of materials affects the cost of building a garden office. High quality materials – such as premium wood, insulated panels and double glazed windows – tend to be more expensive. Opting for eco-friendly or sustainable materials can also add to the cost. Using budget materials can lower the upfront costs, but doing so can result in higher maintenance costs and a shorter lifespan for the office.

Labour

Labour is a major component of the overall cost of building a garden office. Hiring experienced professionals ensures quality construction and high quality finish, but it does come at a higher price. Labour costs can vary based on the tradespeoples’ expertise and the complexity of the project, with more complex projects requiring more work and time, and therefore more labour. If the project requires specialised skills, such as electrical or plumbing work, this can further increase the cost of labour.

Size

The size of your garden office will directly impact the cost. Larger offices require more materials and labour, leading to higher expenses. Costs are usually calculated on a per square metre basis, and doubling the size of the office roughly doubles the cost. The intended use of the space – for example, whether it’s a simple workspace or a fully equipped home office with multiple rooms – also determines the required size, and therefore influences the total cost.

Location

There are various location factors – such as ground conditions, accessibility and building regulations – that impact garden office cost. For example, building on uneven or unstable ground may require additional groundwork and foundation support. This will require additional work, materials and labour. Proximity to utilities like electricity and water can also affect expenses, as you might need to extend existing connections if the garden office is away from other properties.

Design Complexity

The complexity of the design is another key factor influencing garden office cost. Simple, rectangular garden offices tend to be less expensive to build compared to elaborate designs with custom features or multiple levels. Complex designs often require more detailed planning, specialised labour and long construction schedules. Customisation adds value, but it does demand a larger budget and careful planning if you want to execute everything effectively.

DIY Vs Hiring a Professional

The Pros of a DIY Garden Office

• Cost – One of the main advantages of building a garden office yourself is the potential for significant cost savings. By eliminating labour costs, you can keep expenses down and allocate your budget towards other things, such as higher quality materials or additional features.
• Customisation – DIY projects give you complete control over every aspect of the build, and you don’t need to align with anyone else’s vision. You can customise the design, materials and layout according to your exact preferences and needs, making it a truly personalised space.
• Learning – Completing a DIY project gives you the chance to learn new skills and gain experience. This isn’t the case if you hire a professional tradesman, as you are rarely going to be involved in the actual building stages.

The Cons of a DIY Garden Office

• Time Consuming – Building a garden office is a big undertaking, a project that requires a lot of time. Planning, sourcing materials and construction can take much longer than you think, especially if you don’t have experience.
• Durability – Without professional expertise, your garden office might lack the durability of a professionally constructed office. Even small mistakes during construction can lead to long term issues, such as structural weaknesses or poor insulation.
• Tools – A DIY project often requires specialised tools and equipment, which you are unlikely to own unless you are a professional tradesman. Buying or hiring tools can be expensive, and learning how to use them can be time consuming.

The Pros of Hiring a Professional

• Expertise – Professional tradesmen have experience and specialised knowledge of building a garden office, ensuring the project is finished to an expert standard. They can handle complex tasks efficiently and ensure high quality workmanship, meaning that you are guaranteed a flawless finish.
• Efficiency – There’s a lot of work that goes into building a garden office, but professionals can complete the project much faster than a DIY effort. Their expertise allows them to navigate challenges quickly, keeping the project on schedule and reducing downtime, even if delays occur.
• Quality – Hiring a professional means having the assurance of quality and reliability. You can hire a professional tradesperson, knowing that you are going to have a high quality and expertly finished garden office.

The Cons of Hiring a Professional

• Higher Cost – Hiring professional tradespeople to build a garden office is more expensive due to labour costs. Depending on the complexity and size of the project, labour costs quickly add up.
• Less Control – When you hire a professional builder, you have less control over the project. This is why it’s important to communicate your vision and preferences effectively, to ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Finding Someone to Build a Garden Office

There are various ways of finding someone to build a garden office, but your focus should always be on ensuring that you select a skilled and trustworthy professional.

There are online platforms that allow you to filter by specific criteria, honing in on tradespeople that have the relevant experience. Seeking recommendations from friends, family and neighbours can be helpful, as recommendations can give an insight into the tradesman’s reliability, quality of work and professionalism.

The Page

At The Page, we streamline the process of finding a reliable tradesman for your garden office. By having you submit an enquiry detailing your specific project needs, we work hard to match you with the perfect professional.

Once we receive your enquiry, we match you with a curated list of tradesmen who are specifically suited to your job. This isn’t just a random selection, as each tradesman on our list has been personally met, vetted and their previous work has been assessed to ensure that they meet our high standards.

This vetting process means you can trust that the tradesmen we recommend are not only qualified, but they also have a proven track record of quality workmanship and professionalism.

Will a Garden Office Add Value to a House?

Adding an insulated garden office can increase the value of your home. A well designed and professionally built office pod can offer extra space, which appeals to buyers.

Additionally, as remote work is becoming more prevalent, having a dedicated home office space can be a significant selling point. The extent of the value increase will vary depending on the specific market conditions and preferences of potential buyers in the area.