More Space Needed - Extend House or Independent Garden Room?

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MrEarl

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Hello,

As the title suggests, I need more space, which will initially be used as an office and perhaps one day, it'll evolve into a man cave.

Moving house isn't a consideration, so the options are:

1. build an extension
2. install a stand alone "garden room"

From what I can see, building an extension to our house will cost more, take more time to complete, but probably add value to our home.

Garden rooms seem to be available made from timber, steel and concrete. Costs vary, with all claiming to be water tight, well insulated to retain heat, quickly assembled etc. I struggle to seeing them adding value to a property, if I later wanted to sell it, but perhaps I'm wrong.

What are peoples opinions, and experiences, with both options, please?
 
Have both extension is part of the house. Might differentiate us in a sale v another in the estate. Garden room is temporary but works well for the years we will need it (office by day, teen hangout rest of the time). I would assume potential buyers would remove it as it takes up a lot of garden space. But suits us. It feels like a room in a house in terms of quality. Works well being separate how we use it.
 
Planning permission might be a consideration - you can build an extension of up to 40 sq m without needing permission (assuming no existing extensions), standalone buildings can't be more than 25 sq m (total will include any existing sheds).
 
Is it only about space or are there other considerations? For office, some people prefer a separate room. It allows privacy, a feel of going to office and a signal to rest of family that it's working time. Extension on the other hand can have multiple purpose simultaneously.
 
Thankfully, there's no major issue with other people respecting boundaries - any room with a door, works.

@DannyBoyD coverting the attic isn't an option, unfortunitely.
 
Last edited:
gipimann said:
Planning permission might be a consideration - you can build an extension of up to 40 sq m without needing permission (assuming no existing extensions), standalone buildings can't be more than 25 sq m (total will include any existing sheds).
Click to expand...

Yes, good point about the possibility of needing planning permission, with extra lead in time and cost to consider.

We have the potential to build at the side of the house (subject to pp), or the rear (without pp, up to 40 sq mtrs).

Opting for the rear does mean sacrificing valuable garden space (for recreation), be it for an extension or garden room, while the space to the side of the house isn't currently serving a purpose.
 
How are you currently using your garden ? We found all we sacrificed was lawn which we wernt using for any purpose other than to mow.
 
If you have space to the side, and can afford it, I wouldn't over index on the extension adding value to the property.
It's likely someone will pay more for your house extended than a house without an extension. But it's also likely that "more" figure will not make up the cost. But so what? If it gives you a better house, living, quality etc then it's probably worth it.
Other advantage of extending is it's likely to make it easier to sell is another thing....if housing slows down, someone wants to live in your estate, yours will probably appeal above others.
FWIW, we extended, space to side of house, rather than do garden room....we're glad we did. Garden rooms feel like a compromise in most situations, would certainly have felt that way to us compared to what we have.
 
My preference would 100% have been attic conversion, but it would have cost a multiple of the garden room due to roof type. I do love that it's separate, more so now that my kids musical tastes are getting louder !
 
Thanks for the response.

What did you build the garden room out of - wood, metal etc?

How is it, in terms of maintenance, heat retention etc.?
 
It's mostly wood, they built it on site, cedar cladding on outside with a rubber type roof. Zero maintenance so far 2 years in, still looks as good as the day it was installed. Decrease in household bills as we are only heating one room as opposed to one floor during working day. Heats up super fast and retains it so it's not on a lot. If you know anyone who has one ask to see them or go to a showroom...there's a big one in Wicklow south of Kilmacanogue. Like anything do a bit of research on specs and your own preferences and you'll be well informed when you get quotes.
 
We extended our house many years ago to support an expanding family + our family “business.” Years on they all moved out on marriage and we ceased our family business. Our home is now too big for us. I don’t know if yet he OP will be so,
 
I would recommend the outdoor wooden structure. There is a number of companies providing high quality options that are insulated and warm.

As long as you don’t want a water supply, the cost would be much lower than a bricks and mortar equivalent. I was looking at a 10 ft by 15 ft that worked out at about 20,000.
 
Hi @Salvadore

Thank you for the reply.

Were you not tempted to include a small bathroom in the additional space?

I appreciate that there's extra costs to be considered, if I want to get water in and waste back out to the mains etc. Include the cost of some fixtures and I can see the a further €10k - €15k quickly going onto the total bill.

The more I think about this, the more I wonder if it would be prudent to put in a small bathroom in, as it may become very useful, as we get older.
 
A ground floor bathroom would certainly be beneficial, particularly as you look to the future.

In my case, the structure is too far away from the house itself and it has been used only as an office/man cave etc.

The newer models which I saw at the Ideal Homes exhibition are very impressive in terms of their quality and appearance.
 
I would imagine there might be a planning issue with providing a bathroom in a separate garden room as it could then be considered a separate dwelling?
 
Main concern with a bathroom is that fledglings might see it as a self contained apt and might unfledge ! Unless someone is actually living there is it still just a garden room. Put in a kitchen and a shower and rent it on airbnb and you might fall foul of planning laws.
 
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