How Much Value Does a Garden Room Add? Estate Agents Answer

A garden room adds extra functional space to work, relax or enjoy hobbies without adding a traditional extension onto your house. If you're considering the investment, you might also be wondering how much value it could add if and when it comes to selling your property.

Well, to hear from the experts themselves, we spoke to Danni at EweMove Beeston & Long Eaton, Nathan at Robert Ellis Stapleford and Liam at Tristram's Nottingham to discuss how garden rooms can affect property value, buyer interest, and the overall appeal of a home. Read on to find out everything you need to know...

How Much Value Can a Garden Room Add?

The amount a garden room adds to the market value of a property depends on several factors, including the type and size of your house, the garden room itself, and what local buyers are actually looking for. 

Danni at EweMove explained that when comparing a three-bedroom semi-detached house with a garden room to a similar property without one, both the market value and buyers' perceived value can be considerably higher when a garden room is already in situ.

Nathan at Robert Ellis estimates that a garden building can add around 5% to a property's value, potentially adding up to approximately £20,000 in some cases. For example: a £20,000 garden room on a £200,000 house could effectively add around £10,000 to the property's value. (This estimate was based on garden rooms averaging around 15m² in size).

Liam at Tristram's also explained that there isn't one set figure that can be applied to every garden room. When valuing a property, the value of the garden room is worked out as a percentage of the bricks-and-mortar value of the property itself.

The specification of the garden room can make a difference too. Liam highlighted the appeal of additional space that already has features such as full insulation, electricity and air conditioning, making it a functional space that's ready for the homeowner to use.

It's worth remembering that these figures offer a great indication of the potential uplift, rather than an exact guaranteed return. Every property and respective area is different, and the amount that a potential buyer is willing to pay can depend on how the garden room fits with the rest of the home and their own needs. 

Would Having a Garden Room Make Your Property Easier to Sell?

Of course, adding value isn't just about the final asking price. Having a garden room can also help your property to stand out to prospective buyers.

According to Danni, herself and her colleagues have each found that garden rooms are a real selling point during viewings. They can make a property more appealing to people who need additional useable space, particularly those looking for somewhere to work from home.

Demand for Home Offices

Demand for home-working space has really increased. Therefore, a garden room (in particular, a garden room with electricity), can provide a separate office space away from the distractions of the main house, without the need to sacrifice a bedroom or give up a corner of the living room.

Danni explained to us that buyers often perceive a property with a garden room as more valuable than a comparable home without one. Notably, it can also broaden the pool of potential buyers by appealing to an expanded audience of people who might otherwise need to find space for an office (or other activity). 

Liam also highlighted the importance of home-working when looking at demand for additional space. He pointed to figures showing that 36% of people are now working remotely or on a hybrid basis, and expects people to continue needing dedicated space to work from home in the future. For some buyers, that could mean looking for a property with an additional bedroom to turn into an office. A garden room can provide that space separately, without using one of the bedrooms in the main house.

Having a garden room already in situ means prospective buyers can see how the space works and how they could use it for themselves, rather than having to take the time to plan and invest in a building after moving in.

Why Do Buyers Value Extra Space?

A garden room offers more than just one possible use. While we have discussed how working from home is a hugely popular reason people choose to add one to their properties, the space can also be used as a home gym or a hobby room for example. Having this flexibility can be a big advantage when selling a property because different buyers can picture various different uses for the same building. A couple with teenage children might want a teenage den space, or a buyer who is an artist might want their very own home art studio. 

Demand for Space

Nathan told us that around a quarter of their enquiries at Robert Ellis Stapleford mention the need for additional useable space, including features such as conservatories, converted garages and of course, garden rooms. This shows us that extra space is an important consideration for a significant number of prospective buyers. A separate garden building can provide that highly-sought extra space while leaving the main house and its existing rooms free for their original intended purpose.

Liam also compared this demand for additional space with the demand for traditional extensions. Both ultimately give homeowners more functional space, but a garden room can provide an alternative to adding a bricks-and-mortar extension to the main house.

He also explained that people are becoming more mindful about what they're spending their money on and the value they're getting in return. A garden room can provide a highly versatile additional room for significantly less than the cost of a traditional bricks-and-mortar extension.

The Cabin Master Difference

There are practical differences too. With a typical Cabin Master lead time of around 8-12 weeks, adding a garden room can be a much quicker route to gaining extra space than a traditional extension, without the same lengthy construction work taking place within your home.

Liam also highlighted that homeowners don't necessarily have the time – or want the responsibility – of managing a large building project themselves. Cabin Master's turnkey service means you're working with one company to manage the project and complete the work for you, making the process of adding that extra space much simpler.

What about a Garden Annexe?

For homeowners considering a larger addition, a garden annexe can also have an impact on property value. Nathan at Robert Ellis estimates that an annexe could add around 50% of its cost to the value of the property from day one. As an example, he suggests that a £100,000 annexe could add approximately £50,000 to the property's value.

Multigenerational & Independent Living

Nathan points out that the value of an annexe isn't simply about making back the initial investment. Creating self-contained accommodation could allow you to stay in your current home for far longer, provide space for elderly parents or grown-up children, and avoid some of the cost and hassle of finding alternative accommodation.

Liam at Tristram's also sees multigenerational living as one of the biggest attractions of a garden annexe. Whether it's providing somewhere for grown-up children to live or bringing elderly parents closer to home, an annexe can create additional living accommodation while allowing different generations of the family to have their own space.

Annexes & Property Valuations

From a valuation perspective, Liam explained that an annexe would be taken into account when valuing the property. Providing it has been built to a high standard, he sees an annexe as a very valuable asset to a home and believes the practical accommodation it provides can help it retain its value.

An annexe could also change how a property is marketed when you come to sell. Depending on the layout and property, Nathan explains that adding an annexe could, for example, mean a three-bedroom property can potentially be marketed as having four bedrooms.

Planning a Garden Room for Your Home?

At Cabin Master, we design garden rooms and garden annexes around how you want to use your space. Whether you would like a space for fitness, relaxation or simply an additional multifunctional room to help boost the market value of your property, we can help you explore the options available for your home and garden.

Book a FREE design meeting (either in person or from home) to discuss your ideas, explore the options for your space and get a quote for your garden room or annexe.

References: Danni at EweMove, Nathan at Robert Ellis and Liam at Tristram's.