Garden Offices

Yes. We can design your garden office with a WC, and a kitchenette too if you need one. A toilet doesn't usually affect whether you need planning permission, but the plumbing and drainage will need to meet Building Regulations, and you'll need a suitable connection to your home's waste system. We'll plan this with you at the design stage. Read our complete guide to a garden office with a toilet and kitchen.

A garden office can add value to your home by providing useful, high-quality additional space. While the exact impact on your property value will vary depending on your location, the size and quality of the building, and buyer demand, a well-designed garden office can make your property more appealing to potential buyers.

Unlike a traditional extension, a bespoke garden office creates a dedicated workspace without taking space away from your home. A fully insulated, double-glazed building can also provide comfortable, year-round accommodation for working, studying, hobbies or relaxation.

A high-quality garden office can offer:

• Additional usable space without extending the main house
• A dedicated home-working environment for remote workers
• A flexible room that can adapt to different uses
• Year-round comfort when fully insulated and double-glazed
• An attractive feature that can enhance the appeal of your garden

However, there is no guaranteed increase in property value. The value a garden office adds will depend on the individual property and the local housing market.

At Cabin Master, we design and build bespoke garden offices to provide practical, comfortable and long-lasting extra space that you can enjoy now and potentially benefit from when you come to sell.

Yes, you can usually build a garden office close to your neighbour’s fence, but the position and height of the building matter if you want it to fall under permitted development.

Under permitted development rules in England, if any part of a garden office is within 2 metres of your property boundary, the building must not exceed 2.5 metres in height. This applies to the overall height of the building.

How Close Can a Garden Office Be to a Boundary?

There is no general rule requiring a garden office to be a specific distance away from your neighbour’s fence. However, the 2.5-metre height restriction applies when the building is within 2 metres of the boundary if you are relying on permitted development rights.

This means you can position a garden office close to a boundary, provided the design meets the relevant planning requirements.

What If My Garden Office Is Taller Than 2.5 Metres?

If you want a taller garden office close to the boundary, you may need to apply for planning permission. Other factors can also affect whether permitted development rights apply, including your property's location, previous extensions and any planning restrictions.

For example, different rules can apply to listed buildings and designated areas, and some properties have planning conditions or Article 4 Directions that restrict permitted development rights.

No, a garden office does not necessarily need a concrete base. The right foundation depends on the size and design of the building, the ground conditions and the manufacturer's installation system.

At Cabin Master, our garden offices use a purpose-designed foundation system, rather than requiring a traditional concrete slab. This can reduce ground preparation and provide a strong, stable base for your garden office.

What Base Does a Garden Office Need?

A suitable base should provide a level, stable and durable foundation that supports the building and helps protect it from ground moisture. The ideal solution will depend on your garden and the specific garden office you choose.

A concrete slab can be suitable for some garden buildings, but it isn't the only option. Using the correct foundation system can also help minimise disruption to your garden.

Why Choose a Purpose-Designed Base?

A professionally installed foundation can:

• Provide a stable base for your garden office
• Help keep the building elevated away from ground moisture
• Reduce the need for extensive ground preparation
• Provide a long-lasting foundation for year-round use

At Cabin Master, our base is included as part of our garden office installation, giving you a complete solution from design through to installation.

If you're considering a garden office, our team can advise on the most suitable foundation for your building and garden.

Our smallest bespoke garden office is 2.5m x 2m (about 5m²), from £13,950. That's enough room for a desk, chair and storage. For compact offices and office pods, see our Micro Offices page.

Our bespoke garden offices start from £13,950 for a 2.5m x 2m office, including the base, build, insulation, internal electrics, flooring and painting. As a guide, a 4m x 3m garden office starts from £22,550. For a set-size option, our Studio Range starts from £12,500. Your final price depends on size, cladding, glazing and extras such as heating, a WC or air conditioning.