Garden Building FAQs

A granny annexe is a self-contained living space built within the garden of a main house. It typically includes a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living area, providing comfortable accommodation for a family member close to the main home.

Granny annexes are often used for elderly parents, but they can also provide living space for adult children or other family members.

Explore our bespoke granny annexes to see the available layouts, specifications and completed projects.

Yes. Our granny annexes are designed for comfortable, year-round living, with high levels of insulation, heating, utility connections and a fully fitted kitchen, bathroom, living area and bedroom.

A granny annexe can provide long-term accommodation for a family member while remaining ancillary to the main house. The appropriate planning route will depend on the individual project, and we’ll advise you on this as part of our service.

Yes. Although granny annexes are often built for elderly parents or relatives, they can also provide comfortable living space for adult children, other family members or guests.

Because every annexe is bespoke, we can tailor the layout, accessibility features and internal specification to suit the person who will be using it.

There is no fixed garden size required for a garden annexe. The amount of space you need will depend on the size and layout of the annexe, as well as access, boundaries and the individual site.

We offer a free, no-obligation site survey to assess your garden, discuss the size of annexe you need and advise on a layout that makes the best use of the available space.

Even if you have a smaller garden or restricted access, we may still be able to design an annexe that works for your property.

Some granny annexes are designed to meet the legal definition of a caravan under the Caravan Act, which means they must be capable of being moved. However, relocating an annexe is a specialist operation that would usually require professional lifting equipment and transport.

In practice, most homeowners install their granny annexe as a long-term addition to their property.

If an annexe does not meet the relevant Caravan Act requirements, a different planning route may apply, which can include full planning permission. We assess this at the start of your project and advise on the appropriate route for your proposed annexe.

A granny annexe is designed for full-time, year-round living and typically includes a bedroom, living area, fully fitted kitchen and bathroom. It provides self-contained accommodation for a family member while remaining connected with the main home.

A garden room is usually designed to provide extra space for uses such as a home office, studio, hobby room or guest space. It can include facilities such as a WC, shower room or kitchenette if required, but it is not normally designed as a fully self-contained home.

We can help you decide which option best suits your space and how you plan to use it.

Simply complete our quote request form or give us a call. We’ll discuss what you’re looking for and can send you example one or two-bedroom annexe plans, specifications and guide prices to help you explore the options.

If you’d like to take the project further, we can then arrange a free, no-obligation site survey to assess your garden, access, ground conditions and utility connections.

Not every granny annexe requires full planning permission. Depending on the design, siting and intended use, your project may require a full planning application or it may be appropriate to obtain a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC).

Where a granny annexe meets the relevant Caravan Act requirements and is used in connection with the main house, full planning permission may not be required. However, we recommend obtaining an LDC to formally confirm that the proposed use is lawful.

We’ll assess the appropriate planning route for your project and manage the application and local authority correspondence on your behalf.

For more information, see our granny annexe planning guide.

A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is a legal document issued by your local planning authority confirming that a proposed development or use is lawful.

It is not the same as planning permission. Instead, it provides formal confirmation that the proposed use or development is lawful without requiring a full planning application.

Where an LDC is the appropriate route for your granny annexe, we can prepare and manage the application on your behalf and deal with the local authority throughout the process.

For further information, visit the Planning Portal guidance on Lawful Development Certificates.

A granny annexe is normally intended to be used in connection with the main house, rather than as a separate, independent dwelling.

If you want to rent the annexe out separately or use it as holiday accommodation, this could change its planning status and additional planning permission may be required.

If renting the annexe is part of your plans, it’s important to discuss this at the start of the project so the appropriate planning route can be considered.

Being in a conservation area does not necessarily prevent you from having a garden annexe, but additional planning considerations may apply. The appropriate route will depend on the annexe, its proposed use and the individual property.

We assess these factors as part of the planning process and can advise on the most suitable route for your project.

Council Tax will depend on how the granny annexe is used and who lives in it.

A granny annexe may qualify for a full Council Tax exemption if it is the sole or main home of a dependant relative who meets the qualifying criteria. In some other circumstances, a Council Tax discount may be available.

As the position depends on the individual circumstances, we recommend checking with your local council to confirm whether an exemption or discount applies.

Read our granny annexe Council Tax guide for a full explanation of the current rules.

We’ll first email you a selection of granny annexe plans with example layouts, specifications and guide prices. If you’d like to explore your project further, we’ll arrange a free, no-obligation site survey to assess the available space, access, ground conditions and utility connections.

Following the survey, we’ll prepare your bespoke design and fixed-price quotation. If you decide to proceed, we’ll manage the planning, groundworks, installation and internal fit-out through to final handover.

You can see each stage in more detail on our granny annexe process page.

The full granny annexe process depends on the design and the type of planning approval required. After your site survey and design are complete, we’ll manage the necessary planning or Lawful Development Certificate application and arrange your installation date.

Our typical lead time to start is around 12–16 weeks, depending on planning approval. Once work begins on site, most granny annexes take around 4–6 weeks to install, depending on their size and layout.

We manage the whole project for you, while keeping you involved in the key decisions about your annexe, including the layout, specification, colours and finishes.

We’ll also keep you updated throughout the planning, design and installation stages, so you know how your project is progressing without having to coordinate different contractors yourself.

Yes. We provide a full turnkey garden annexe service, managing your project from the initial site survey and design through to groundworks, foundations, utility connections, installation and final handover.

We also complete the plumbing, electrics, heating, flooring, plastering, fitted kitchen and bathroom. You’ll have one company and a single point of contact throughout the project, making the whole process simpler and easier to manage.

Internal painting and decorating are not included, as the new plaster needs time to dry before decoration.

In some cases, small changes may be possible during the build, and we’ll always do our best to accommodate them. However, some elements cannot easily be changed once materials have been ordered or installation has started.

For this reason, we recommend finalising your layout, specification and finishes before the build begins to help avoid delays or additional costs.

Most granny annexe installations take around 4–6 weeks, depending on the size and layout.

Throughout the build, our experienced team manages everything from the groundworks and foundations through to the kitchen, bathroom and final internal fit-out.

The 4–6 weeks refers to the on-site installation time and does not include the design, planning or lead time before work begins.

Yes. Every garden annexe project begins with a free, no-obligation site survey. We assess the available space, access, ground conditions and utility connections, then discuss your requirements and design options with you.

This helps us understand the site properly before preparing your bespoke design and fixed-price quotation.

Yes. We take care of the groundworks and foundations required for your garden annexe, including trenching and either screw pile or reinforced concrete foundations, depending on the site requirements.

We also manage the agreed water, drainage and electrical connections as part of the project, so you don’t need to arrange separate trades for this work.

Yes. We include the agreed utility connections for your garden annexe, including electricity, water and foul drainage connections to the main property.

During your site survey, we assess the location of the existing services and the distance from the house. If your project requires a longer trench run, pump station or additional work, we’ll identify this and include the agreed costs in your fixed-price quotation.

We’ll assess your garden during the free site survey and let you know if anything needs to be prepared before installation begins.

The area where the annexe will be installed will need to be clear and accessible. If sheds, trees, fencing or other obstacles need to be removed, we’ll identify this during the survey so you can arrange the necessary work before your installation date.

We’ll take care of the groundworks and foundations required for your annexe as part of the agreed project.

Yes. We’ve installed garden annexes on sites with tight or restricted access. During your free site survey, we’ll assess access to the garden and identify any potential issues before the project begins.

Because we build our annexes on site using SIPs panels, materials can often be carried through narrow access points or, where necessary, through the house.

If any additional arrangements are required, we’ll discuss these with you following the survey.

We aim to keep disruption to a minimum throughout your garden annexe installation. Most annexes are completed on site within around 4–6 weeks, depending on their size and layout.

Our team manages site access, deliveries and waste removal throughout the build. We also keep the site as tidy and organised as possible and keep you informed as the work progresses.

Yes. Once we’ve completed the installation and final checks, your annexe or garden lodge is fully fitted and ready to use.

The internal walls and ceilings are professionally plastered, but the new plaster will need time to dry fully before painting or decorating. We’ll explain what you need to do at handover.

Yes. Our granny annexes use Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) in the floor, walls and roof, providing high levels of insulation for comfortable, year-round living.

Rather than simply describing our annexes as well insulated, we calculate the U-values of the main building elements to measure their thermal performance.

Read our guide to granny annexe insulation and U-values to learn more about how our annexes are constructed and insulated.

Yes. Every garden annexe we build is bespoke and made to order. You can choose the layout, kitchen, bathroom fittings, flooring, external cladding and other finishes to suit your space, style and requirements.

We’ll guide you through the available options during the design process and create an annexe tailored to how you plan to use it.

Yes. Our granny annexes and garden lodges include a professionally fitted kitchen as part of your fixed-price quotation. You can choose the layout, finishes and kitchen options during the design process, so you know exactly what is included before your build begins.

Yes. A fully fitted bathroom or shower room is included in our garden annexes and granny annexes. You can choose from a range of finishes and shower panels to suit your style, with accessibility options also available if required.

Yes. We can design your annexe bathroom around your individual needs, with accessibility features such as low or step-free shower access, grab rails, wider doorways and easy-to-use shower controls. We can discuss your requirements during the design stage to create a bathroom that is comfortable, practical and easy to use.

Yes. We can include built-in sliding-door wardrobes in your garden annexe, with internal drawers and shelving designed to suit your chosen size and layout.

Our buildings include Ecostrad iQ Ceramic electric radiators as standard, providing efficient heating with both smart and manual controls. Bathrooms and shower rooms also include an Ecostrad Cube iQ heated towel rail.

Both can be controlled manually or through their Wi-Fi-enabled smart controls.

A garden lodge is a self-contained living space installed within the grounds of a main home. It can include a bedroom, living area, fully fitted kitchen and bathroom, providing comfortable accommodation for a family member or guest.

Our garden lodges are designed to meet the relevant Caravan Act requirements and can provide a practical solution for long-term, year-round living while remaining connected with the main home.

Both provide self-contained living accommodation, but the main difference is the design and planning route.

Our garden lodges are designed to meet the relevant Caravan Act size and mobility requirements. Where the proposed siting and use are also lawful, full planning permission may not be required. In these circumstances, we recommend obtaining a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) before installation.

Our granny annexes offer greater design flexibility. They can also meet the relevant Caravan Act requirements where appropriate, or proceed through full planning where the design, dimensions or individual circumstances require it.

We’ll assess your property and requirements and advise on the most appropriate option and planning route for your project.

Yes. Our garden lodges are designed for comfortable, year-round living, with high levels of insulation, heating, a fully fitted kitchen and bathroom, and everything needed for everyday use.

They can provide long-term accommodation for elderly relatives, adult children or other family members while allowing them to live close to the main house.

Our one-bedroom garden lodges start from £85,000, including foundations, agreed utility connections, installation, a fully fitted kitchen and bathroom, heating, electrics and flooring.

Larger garden lodges and bespoke designs will cost more depending on the size, layout, specification and site requirements. Following your free site survey, we’ll provide a clear, fixed-price quotation based on your chosen design.

Yes. Our garden lodges are designed to meet the legal definition of a mobile home under the Caravan Act, including the relevant size and mobility requirements.

This does not mean the lodge has wheels or is designed to be moved regularly. Instead, it must be capable of being moved as required by the legislation. In practice, our garden lodges are installed as long-term living accommodation within the grounds of the main home.

Our garden lodges are designed to meet the relevant Caravan Act size and mobility requirements. Where the proposed siting and use are also lawful, full planning permission may not be required.

We recommend obtaining a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) before installation to formally confirm the lawful use of the lodge. We can prepare and manage the application with the local authority on your behalf.

Yes. A garden room can make an ideal home office, providing a dedicated workspace away from the main house.

Our garden rooms are highly insulated for year-round use and can include heating, lighting, electrics and internet connections to create a comfortable and practical working environment.

They can also be designed as studios, hobby rooms or flexible multi-purpose spaces.

Yes. Our garden rooms can include a WC, shower room or kitchenette, depending on how you plan to use the space and the relevant planning requirements.

We can discuss the facilities you need during the design stage and create a layout that makes the best use of the available space.

Generally, yes. A garden room usually costs less than a granny annexe because it does not normally include a fully fitted kitchen, bathroom and all the services required for a self-contained living space.

However, adding features such as a shower room, WC or kitchenette will increase the cost of a garden room. The final price will depend on its size, layout and specification.

In many cases, garden rooms can be built without planning permission under permitted development rights. However, rules apply to the building’s size, height, position and intended use, and some properties may have additional restrictions.

If your garden room will include self-contained living accommodation, different planning rules may apply. We can discuss your proposed use and help you understand the planning options before you proceed.

Yes. We build our granny annexes and garden rooms using Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), which provide high levels of insulation and energy efficiency.

This highly insulated construction helps retain heat during colder weather and reduces heat transfer during warmer weather, creating a comfortable space for year-round use while helping to keep heating costs down.

Our fully fitted one-bedroom granny annexes start from £85,000, while two-bedroom granny annexes start from £130,000, including VAT where applicable.

The final cost depends on the size, layout, specification and site requirements. Following your free site survey, we’ll provide a clear, fixed-price quotation for your chosen design.

See our garden annexe cost guide for a detailed breakdown of prices and what’s included.

Our garden annexe prices include the essential parts of your project, including foundations, service trenching and utility connections, electrics, heating, flooring, a fitted kitchen and bathroom, and internal plastering.

Internal painting and decorating are not included because the new plaster needs time to dry before it can be decorated. Following your site survey, we provide a clear, fixed-price quotation, so you know exactly what is included before your project begins.

Several factors can affect the final price, including the size, layout, specification and site conditions.

For a garden annexe, the distance from the main house can affect the cost of trenching and utility connections, while some sites may require a pump station or additional groundworks. Choices such as a pitched roof, larger kitchen, built-in wardrobes and upgraded finishes can also increase the price.

We assess these requirements during your free site survey and include all agreed costs in your fixed-price quotation.

Yes. Following your free, no-obligation site survey, we’ll agree the layout and specification of your garden annexe and provide a detailed, fixed-price quotation for the project.

The quotation will clearly set out what is included, so you know the full agreed cost before you commit.

Our prices include VAT where applicable. The VAT treatment can vary depending on the design, size and specification of your annexe, so we assess this for each individual project.

Your fixed-price quotation will clearly show the VAT treatment that applies and the total amount payable, so you know exactly what your project will cost.

A well-designed granny annexe can add value to your property and make it more attractive to buyers looking for flexible or multi-generational living space.

However, the effect on property value will depend on several factors, including the property itself, location, annexe specification, planning status and local housing market.

All of our garden buildings come with a 10-year comprehensive guarantee, giving you long-term reassurance after your project is complete.

We also offer insurance-backed warranties and deposit protection through IWA, subject to the applicable policy terms and fees.

We’ll explain the guarantee and available insurance-backed protection as part of your project, so you know exactly what cover applies.

We don’t currently offer finance directly. However, we can provide a detailed, fixed-price quotation for your granny annexe, which you can use when discussing funding options with your mortgage provider, bank or financial adviser.

Any borrowing will be subject to the individual lender’s eligibility criteria and approval.