Looking to add some extra space to your home? Whether you're dreaming of a perfect home office, a cozy garden retreat, or a separate living space for family members, we've got you covered. Let's explore your options:
A garden room could be your ideal home office, gym, craft studio, or entertainment space. Or, if you're looking to provide living space for family members, an annexe might be the perfect solution - giving your loved ones independence while keeping them close by.
Your friendly guide from Architechnology.Design & GardenRoomCo
What's the Difference Between a Garden Room and an Annexe?
Let's start with what each space offers:
A garden room is typically:
- A perfect home office, gym, or hobby room
- Might have a WC or kitchenette
- Used during the day as an extension of your home
- Part of your main house's daily activities
- Often simpler to get planning approval
- Great for work, hobbies, or relaxation
An annexe includes:
- Sleeping accommodation
- Usually a bathroom
- Often a small kitchen
- Living space
- Perfect for family members to live in
- Requires full planning permission
Do I Need Planning Permission?
Here's the straightforward answer:
For a Garden Room: You might not need permission if your building stays within certain limits:
- Keeps to height restrictions (2.5m near boundaries)
- Takes up less than half your garden
- Isn't used as living accommodation
- Sits behind your house, not in front
- Is used for purposes 'incidental' to your home
For an Annexe: Yes, you'll always need planning permission if you want to include sleeping accommodation. This is because it changes from being "incidental" to "ancillary" use - don't worry too much about the planning jargon, we'll handle that part!
Building Regulations - Let's Keep It Simple
You might have heard about Building Regulations and wondered what they mean for your project. Don't worry - we'll break it down for you:
The 30 Square Meter Rule
Think of this as your magic number. If your garden room or annexe is going to be smaller than 30 square meters inside (that's about the size of a double garage), things are much simpler:
- You won't need a full Building Regulations application
- You'll still need to follow some basic safety rules
- We'll make sure everything's built properly
- Electrical work will need to be certified
What About Fire Safety?
This becomes important when you're building close to your boundary. Here's what you need to know:
If you're within 1 meter of the boundary:
- We'll use special fire-resistant materials
- The walls will need to resist fire for 30 minutes
- Windows and doors might need to be positioned carefully
- We'll handle all the technical requirements
If you're more than 1 meter away:
- Standard construction methods are usually fine
- You'll have more flexibility with windows and doors
- We can use a wider range of materials
When Do You Need Full Building Regulations?
You'll need to meet full Building Regulations when:
- Your building is bigger than 30 square meters inside
- You're planning to have someone sleep in it
- You want to include full kitchen facilities
- You're installing complex electrical systems
Electrical Work - Keeping Things Safe
No matter what size your building is:
- All electrical work needs to be done properly
- You'll get a certificate for any electrical installations
- Everything will be tested for safety
- We only use qualified electricians
Our Promise to You
Whether your project needs full Building Regulations or not, we'll:
- Handle all the technical details
- Use the right materials
- Follow all safety guidelines
- Give you proper certification
- Make sure everything's done right
Remember, these regulations exist to keep you safe - they're not there to make life difficult. We'll handle all the complex stuff, so you don't have to worry about it!
How We Help You Get Planning Permission
At Architechnology.Design, we've teamed up with GardenRoomCo to make this whole process easy for you. Here's what we do:
- We'll Visit Your Property
- Look at what you want to build
- Check for any potential issues
- Measure everything up
- Discuss your ideas
- We Handle the Paperwork
- Prepare all the drawings
- Write the planning statements
- Submit everything to the council
- Deal with any questions they have
- We Keep You Updated
- Track the application
- Handle any council queries
- Let you know how things are progressing
- Usually takes about 10 weeks
Special Considerations
Conservation Areas Live in a Conservation Area? Don't worry - we know exactly what's needed and how to design your building to fit in perfectly.
Near Boundaries Need to build close to your neighbor's boundary? We'll make sure everything meets fire safety rules and looks great too.
Why Choose Us?
- We know planning inside out
- Partnership with GardenRoomCo means quality construction
- We handle everything from start to finish
- Clear communication throughout
- Expert advice when you need it
Ready to Get Started?
Getting your perfect garden room or annexe doesn't have to be complicated. Let us handle the technical stuff while you focus on planning how you'll use your new space.