2020 was a strange year. Other than the great summer we had, most of us would rather forget it. But one big shift happened that changed how we work forever. People realised they did not need an office to do their job, and coincidentally, that’s when interest in modular timber buildings began to soar.

Once business owners saw how much money can be saved by having a remote team, working from home became normal. But spending all day in the same room you relax in at night gets claustrophobic. That is why so many people have turned to modular timber buildings to create their own garden office space.

A dedicated bespoke garden studio gives you a proper work and life balance while making use of wasted garden space and increasing your property value. Modern insulated timber offices are warm enough to use all year round, even through our dreaded UK winters.

So if you are exploring small garden office ideas, weighing up modular vs bespoke options, or considering a timber building installation, this guide will walk you through the key things to look out for when choosing the right modular timber building for your home.

When it comes to creating a functional and comfortable workspace in your garden, a garden office building can be an excellent solution. These standalone structures offer a dedicated space for work or leisure activities while allowing you to enjoy the beauty of your outdoor surroundings. However, choosing the right garden office building requires careful consideration of various factors. To assist you in making an informed decision, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) that address the key aspects to look for when selecting a garden office building. From materials and size to insulation, customisation options, security, and maintenance, these FAQs will provide you with valuable insights to help you find the perfect garden office building that meets your requirements and enhances your outdoor space. Let’s explore the essential factors to consider before embarking on this exciting addition to your garden.

Browns Garden Buildings – Concrete Basework Installation

Unlike other garden building manufacturers, we recommend a concrete base is installed before we supply and fit your building.

The base is required to be level and undersized by 25mm to allow the footplate of the building to overhang the base to minimize water egress and deterioration of the building.

The minimum depth of the concrete base is 100mm thick on a hardcore sub-base that has been well compacted.

If there are any concerns over ground conditions for the concrete slab we would recommend one layer of A142 reinforcement put into the slab.

Unsure what basework would be best? Contact Browns Garden Buildings.

Garden Building Installation Process by Browns Garden Buildings

Browns Garden Buildings, Studios, and Offices can be easily erected in one day onto a previously prepared concrete base. The building is bolted to the concrete base and sealed with sealant to prevent water ingress.

Our tradesmen manufacture your garden building and follow the process through to installation, and if you choose a colour from our carefully chosen selection or choose from the extensive Protec Royal Colour Chart. Browns will leave you a small tin of timber preservative to look after your garden building.

We want you to be a part of the process to ensure you get exactly what you require!

Browns Guide to Garden Building Planning Permissions

For detailed information on planning permission, we recommend that you look at the Government Planning Portal.

Browns Garden Buildings would advise that you check with your Local Authority to establish whether planning permission is required before you order your building. In most cases permitted development rights enable you to erect a building without a formal submission.

The following information has been taken direct from the government online portal July 2010.

Outbuildings are considered to be permitted development, not requiring an application for planning permission, provided all the conditions are met.

The rules governing outbuildings apply to sheds, greenhouses and garages as well as other ancillary garden buildings and many other kinds of structure for a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling house.

On Designated Land* outbuildings to the side of the house are not permitted development.

Outbuildings are not permitted development within the grounds of a listed building.

In national parks, the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and World Heritage Sites the total area to be covered by any outbuilding more than 20m from any wall of the house must not exceed 10m2 to be permitted development.

Outbuildings are not permitted development forward of the principal elevation of the original house. The term original house means the house as it was first built or as stood on 1st July 1948 (if built before that date).

Out buildings and other additions must not exceed 50% of the total area around the original house.

Sheds and all other outbuildings and extensions to the original house must be included when calculating this 50% limit.

To be permitted development, any new building must not itself be separate, self contained, living accommodation and must not have a microwave antenna.

Outbuildings must be single storey with a maximum eaves height of 2.5m and maximum overall height 4m with a dual pitch roof, or 3m in any other case.

If the outbuilding is within 2m of the property boundary the whole building should not exceed 2.5m height.

Raised platforms such as decking are permitted development provided they are no higher than 300mm.

In most instances if a building is to be erected within 20m of a classified highway (Wales) or 25m (England), planning permission will be required.

If a building is to be erected within 5m of the main dwelling , it is considered to be an extension rather than an outbuilding and may require planning permission.(This is very unlikely with this type of structure)

*Designated land includes National Parks & The Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Conservation Areas and World Heritage sites.

Please Note: Permitted developments allowance here only applies to houses, not flats, maisonettes or other buildings.  Please check with your local planning office to see if permitted development rights apply.

Garden Building Self Assessment Form

From the 1st October 2008 an extension or addition to your home will be considered to be permitted development, not needing permission if you answer “NO” to ALL of the following questions, comply with the following CONDITIONS and there are no planning restrictions removing such rights on your property.  This  Self Assessment Form will indicate whether you need planning permission for your out building.

Browns Guide to Garden Building Regulations

Building regulations are not always required for Garden Rooms and Buildings.

The following information has been taken from the Government’s Online Planning Portal.

If you want to put up a small detached building such as a Garden Room or Storage Shed in your garden, building regulations will not normally apply if the floor area of the building is less than 15m2 and contains NO sleeping accommodation.

If the floor area of the building is between 15m2 and 30m2, you will not normally be required to apply for building regulation approval providing that the building contains NO sleeping accommodation and is either at least 1m from any boundary or is constructed of substantially non-combustible material.

These notes are for guidance only. We recommend that if you have any concerns over the above you consult with your Local Authority.

Delivery & Installation Free:

Prices are for mainland only and south of a line drawn between Dundee and Greenock, and east of a line drawn between Plymouth and Bude, delivery to all other areas carries a small excess. Prices are on the understanding that there is a clear any easy access to the site. We deliver on flat bed rigid trucks that are 25’0” long x 9’0” wide and are unloaded from either side. It is normal practice to drive the truck within 30 yards of the base and the 2 men carry the units up the drive or path to the base. If the access to site is difficult we require prior notification.  Should the concrete base or access to the site not be suitable on the day of delivery then the company reserve the right to deliver only to the nearest point and make a further charge for a return journey.  Delivery promises are made in good faith but in the event of unforeseen circumstances we cannot be held responsible for consequential loss arising from any delay.

Delivery Surcharge Details:

Prices are for mainland only and south of a line drawn between Dundee and Greenock and east of a line drawn between Plymouth and Bude. These areas will incur an additional delivery charge of between £500 and £800.
Deliveries to Central London will incur a small additional delivery charge of £400.
Deliveries to The Isle of White, Isle of Man and the Scottish Islands can be arranged with an additional charge to cover ferries and travel time.

Cancellation Charges

Browns Garden Buildings reserves the right to make a resonable charge for cancellation of an order  after receipt of deposit payment to cover all costs that are not recoverable in relation to that specific order.

Concrete Base

We require a level concrete base to install our buildings onto prior to delivery.  See basework section.  The building price does not include for a timber sub floor unless stated.

Internal Measurements

For internal sizes of our buildings subtract 170mm off the external length and width.

Planning and Building Regulations:

All our Pent Roof Garden Buildings are designed to be lower than 2.5m high to be under the requirements for planning. All our Apex Roof Buildings below 3.0m wide are also lower than 2.5m high to the ridge. We advise that you check with your local authority to see if planning and building regulations are required. A free set of plans of the building will be supplied on request. An approved plan does not form part of the contract.

Terms:

A 20% deposit secures the order at a fixed price for a maximum period of three months. Full cash price to be paid 7 days prior to delivery. The building remains the property of Browns Garden Buildings Limited until paid for in full.

Painting:

The photographs in our brochure and our display models have been painted to illustrate appearance that can be achieved. All timber panels are delivered painted with 3 coats of preservative or micro porous paint unless otherwise specified.

10 Year Structural Guarantee:

All Browns Garden Buildings come with a 10 year Structural Guarantee from the date of installation. All timber work is subject to a 5 year Guarantee against rot and decay but this is subject to all exterior paintwork being maintained in accordance with the paint manufacturers recommendation which can be found on their web site. Steel doors are guaranteed for two years. UPVC doors and windows are guaranteed for one year which includes the sealed glazed unit. All workmanship is guaranteed for 12 months. The roof is covered by a 5 year guarentee against leaks.  No Claim will be allowed for storm damage or third party materials or labour charges. Your normal statutory rights as a customer and are not affected by this guarantee.

Damage:

The company accepts no responsibility for gale damage.