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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need planning permission for an outdoor pod?

Most outdoor pods don't require planning permission as they fall under the 'outbuildings' category. However, you must comply with certain rules, including the overall size and height of your building. Most homes have permitted development rights for their land, but it’s a good idea to check for your specific home and area.

Key rules under permitted development include:

  • The garden building must be single-story.
  • The building cannot exceed more than 50% of your garden. When calculating this, include all outbuildings, such as sheds, and extensions to the original home.
  • The office cannot be placed on land forward of a wall forming the 'principal elevation' (i.e., not in front of the house).
  • If the office cabin is within 2m of the property boundary, the entire building cannot exceed 2.5m in height.
 

What size garden pod can I build without planning permission?

The general rules on garden pod sizes are as follows:

  • Up to 15m² floor space internally should not normally be required to comply with Building Regulations
  • 15m² - 30m² floor space internally should not normally be required to comply with Building Regulations unless it is situated less than 1m away from your property boundary
  • 30m²+ floor space internally should require Building Regulations approval. This is something Cabin Master can provide guidance and assistance on.
  • The rules in your particular area can be found on your local planning portal website
    Click here to find out more
 
 

What is the cheapest way to build a garden pod?

The quality you're looking for determines the price. DIY pods and flat-pack garden offices can be quite cheap, but they often end up being little more than glorified sheds. Instead, we specialise in buildings that you can use year-round, fully insulated, double-glazed, and built to last for years. When you compare the purchase price of our cabins to their lifespan, most people find that our buildings offer incredible value for money.

 

Are garden pods worth it?

Garden room pods provide the perfect way to add space to your home without the expense, disruption, and long installation times of loft conversions and traditional extensions.

Do you offer finance for garden pods?

Yes - Cabin Master offers flexible finance options to help you spread the cost of your garden pod.

Can I build a garden pod next to my neighbours' fence?

This depends on the size of the garden pod, but in many cases this can be done. Most small to medium-sized garden pods can be situated less than 1m from the boundary with any neighbours under permitted development rules when the overall height does not exceed 2.5m.

 
 

Does adding a garden pod add value to your house?

Home buyers often seek garden pods and home office pods as one of their most desired features.

Adding an outdoor pod creates an attractive feature that helps you achieve a higher asking price when you sell your home. Most estate agents agree that a garden pod increases the value of the property. 

What is the average cost of a garden pod?

The cost of a garden pod varies depending on factors like size, materials, and design. Basic options are simpler structures with minimal insulation and finishes, while mid-range models offer better insulation, larger spaces, and higher-quality materials. High-end garden pods feature premium finishes, custom designs, and additional features such as electrical wiring, plumbing, and luxury fittings. The overall cost also depends on whether you opt for a pre-fabricated kit or hire professionals for installation.

What is a garden pod used for?

Garden pods can be used for a wide variety of uses, such as home offices, studios, hobby spaces, and teenage dens. Each Cabin Master garden pod is designed to be versatile, comfortable, and fully insulated for year-round use.

Can I visit a garden pod before buying?

Yes! Visit one of our Cabin Master show sites to see our range of garden pods in person and chat with our design team.

Insulated Garden Office Blogs

28th July 2025

How You Can Have Your Own Modern Garden Office Pod

More and more of us are working from home these days. In fact, according to Small Business UK, half of the UK’s workforce will work from home by 2020. With this fact in mind, attention turns to where exactly you can set up an office...

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8th July 2022

Why Garden Office Pods Are More Popular Than Ever

These days it’s not the least bit unusual to walk into a friend or neighbour’s home and spot a garden office room out the back. With home working on the rise, garden offices are a popular alternative to converting a room in the...

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11th May 2022

Create A Garden Office Pod Without Breaking The Bank

Enquiries about Cabin Master cabins are illustrating just how versatile a solution they are. A Cabin Master garden office answers a challenge many are facing right now – how to work effectively from home. British designed and made at...

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8th October 2025

3 Reasons To Invest In A Liveable Garden Pod

When it comes to pods for the garden, they can be built for many purposes. Arguably one of the most important purposes of an insulated pod today, is to help look after elderly relatives.

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Explore The Benefits Of Our Bespoke Garden Pods

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Multifunctional Space

An insulated garden room pod provides space for a range of uses, and can be fully customised around you. 

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Cosy & Energy-Efficient

Home pods are energy efficient, helping you save money and reduce energy bills.

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Work-Life Balance

An outdoor office pod can help ease daily stresses by providing a dedicated workspace free from distractions.

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Build Quality

We use FSC-certified Western Red Cedar or slow-grown PEFC/FSC Scandinavian Redwood cladding over a breathable membrane to meet strict quality standards.

Do You Need Planning Permission for a Pod in Your Garden?

Most garden pods and garden office pods don’t need planning permission, as they usually fall under the ‘outbuildings’ category of permitted development. However, your building must meet a few key criteria regarding size, height, and placement. While most homes have permitted development rights, it’s always worth checking the specific rules for your property and local area.

 

Here are the main permitted development guidelines:

  • The garden building must be single-storey.

  • It must not cover more than 50% of your garden space (this includes any existing outbuildings and extensions).

  • You can’t place it in front of the main house—only behind or to the side.

  • If the building is within 2 metres of any boundary, it must be no taller than 2.5 metres.

At Cabin Master, we design our garden pods with these rules in mind, helping you create a compliant, stress-free space from day one.

Visit Our Nottingham Show Site

We have a huge range of buildings at our Nottingham Show Site including garden offices, gyms and bars. Visit us and we can help with designs, pricing and more. 

Open 10am-4pm 7 Days a Week

Address

Cabin Master,
251 Toton Lane,
Stapleford,
Nottingham,
NG9 7JA,

Visit Our Warwickshire Show Site

Visit our new show site in Studley, Warwickshire, where we offer a wide range of buildings, including garden offices, gyms, and bars. We’ll assist with designs, pricing, and more.

Open 10am-4pm 7 Days a Week

Address

Studley Garden Centre,
Henley Road,
Studley,
B80 7DR,

Roof
We can customise the design with optional features like a front recess or roof overhang
Cladding Options
Superior quality cladding - Cedar, Redwood, or maintenance free Marley Board
Windows & Doors
High quality double glazed windows and doors in a variety of styles
Lighting
Optional external lighting
Flooring
High quality click lock flooring in a choice of colours
Hardboard Lining
Our internal hardboard lining is much stronger and more durable than plasterboard
Redwood timber garden studio office with sliding doors

Designing Your Garden Home Pod

Your garden pod is all about you - your space, your style, your requirements

  • Size & Configuration: Choose the footprint that fits your garden and purpose.

  • Customisation Options: Select your cladding, windows, doors, interior finishes, and lighting.

  • Inspiration: Visit one of our show sites to explore full-size pods and get design ideas in person.

Whether you’re creating a garden office or a small creative studio, our design team will help you make the most of your available space

Why choose Cabin Master to design manufacture & install your garden pod?

10-year guarantee

Every component we use in our Cabin Master building is guaranteed for quality and durability. Each building comes with a 10-year workmanship and labour guarantee, plus the guarantees of each individual component or building material included. Below are some typical examples:

  • 10 year guarantee on building materials.
  • 1 year metalwork guarantee (including hinges, handles and ironmongery).
  • 10 year guarantee on UPVc doors.
  • 10 year guarantee on window frames.
  • 4 year guarantee on glass window units

Quality standards

To build our office pods for the garden we make use of only the best raw materials and building components, and fully qualified local contractors.

  • Timber: Forest Stewardship Council Approved timber suppliers.
  • Roofing: For flat roofs we use high performance EPDM rubber roofing. For sloping roofs we use Kerbit SBS roofing shingles.
  • Doors & Windows: Double glazed, energy efficient uPVC doors and windows for peak energy efficiency.
  • Insulation: High quality silver-backed foam insulation from Celotex, Kingspan, Extratherm or similar.
  • Finishing: FSC approved MDF interior boards with Neatmatch damp resistant coating.

Bespoke designs

Our design team are on hand to turn your new garden home pod vision into a reality. Your ideas and sketches are transformed into a 3D drawing which is then perfected until you are 100% happy. The design is then sent to our factory where your new outdoor pod is manufactured.

Delivery & installation

When you order your new garden pod, we will arrange a convenient delivery and installation schedule, with an affordable quote tailored to your needs. The cost of delivery and fitting depends on the size of your pod, where you live, and transportation distance and how many people you need to set up your garden pod.

20 years experience

With over 20 years of experience, Cabin Master has become a trusted name in designing, manufacturing, and installing high-quality, bespoke garden rooms. Our decades of expertise mean we understand exactly what our customers need - delivering stylish, durable spaces that enhance homes and lifestyles across the UK.

Flexible finance options

Why not take advantage of our fantastic finance options and get your dream garden pod sooner than you think.

BNPL allows you to defer the outstanding balance for up to 3 months, from the installation date of your garden room. This is a good option if you are certain that you can pay off the outstanding balance within the set term.

Spread the cost over 60, or 120 months at a competitive 11.9% APR representative. After applying our finance partner Novuna will provide you with a decision in minutes. Our ‘pay monthly’ plans are the most affordable way of accessing a brand-new garden office from Cabin Master. All finance applications are subject to status, 25% minimum deposit required, terms and conditions apply. Click here to find out more.

Rick & Gill's Artist's Studio

Case Studies Our Previous Projects

Rick & Gill's Artist's Studio

With some extra space in their garden & a need for somewhere to set up their artists studio & get creative.

Rebecca Reay Photography Studio

In 2018 Rebecca decided to research having her own space designed for her booming photography business. Find out why she chose Cabin Master.

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