Garden rooms are a brilliant addition to your home, but they can go horribly wrong if you’re not careful. Most people think that buying a garden room is a cakewalk, but in reality, it is quite the opposite and can be a daunting task.
If you’re thinking about buying a garden room, we strongly suggest avoiding these six mistakes that people usually make.
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1. Improper Planning
Outbuilding like garden rooms usually doesn’t require planning permission because they come under the permitted development. However, there are still many rules and regulations that you must follow to avoid any legal hurdles.
These may pertain to the distance, height, and size of the room. If you fail to follow the guidelines, you might have to remove the garden room entirely.
So, it is best to ensure from your planning office that you are meeting all the set conditions.
2. Investing in a Solid Foundation
Like any other structure, a garden room requires a solid foundation underneath if you expect it to last for a considerable amount of time.
Unfortunately, many people make the mistake of not investing in a robust foundation to save money or due to the lack of awareness.
The cost of the foundation may or may not be included in the garden room’s total price. So, make sure to consult your supplier about this.
Moreover, you also need to keep in mind the type of foundation that you want. There are many different options available, go for the one that suits your budget and soil.
3. No Insulation
People tend to assume that garden rooms are just an extension of their house and will be insulated like the rest of it. However, in most cases, that is not the case, which they only realize when it’s too late.
You’ll have to pay extra to have your garden room insulated or put up with the harsh cold in the winter. So, you must try to insulate the garden room while it is under construction.
You should also ask your vendor about the kind of insulation is used and how effective it will be for the room.
4. Purchasing a Garden Room Without a Guarantee
Just like the insulation, many people also assume that their garden room comes with a guarantee. While it is true in most cases, few suppliers will not give any guarantee for the room.
There are many benefits of a garden room and it is quite an investment on your part, so you have every right to ask for a guarantee when you are purchasing one.
If your vendor is not providing you with any assurance, then it is a red flag, and you should look for other alternatives.
5. Interior Finish and Optional Extras
Many times, the exterior of the garden room is so appealing that the buyers neglect the importance of the interiors. Only to find later that they are not at all satisfied with how the interior looks.
Please don’t make the same mistake and pay close attention to the interior as well as the exterior. There is also the question of extras, as people just assume that extras are included in the total cost, which is not true in most cases.
6. Heating, Electricity, and Lighting
Even if you plan on using natural light for your garden room most of the time, you will eventually need electricity. The same goes for heating and artificial lighting.
After the construction is done and dusted, it would be a shame to realize that you now need both electricity and heating. Installing these later might be costly for you than installing them initially.
