Outbuilding Cost
Last updated 21st August, 2024
What does constructing an outbuilding cost?
If you're thinking of adding a garden outbuilding to your property, maybe a brick summer house or even an office, we've got you covered. This article explains all the essentials for constructing outbuildings. We break down the materials, timeframes, labour fees and much more!
Let's get started below!
How Much Does It Cost to Construct an Outbuilding?
An outbuilding is usually defined as a non-habitable building in the grounds of your home. Outbuildings can be designed for a variety of purposes but popular uses include gyms, games rooms, offices, sauna cabins, kennels, studios, pool house, summer houses and simple sheds for extra storage.
The vast majority of outbuildings will fall under Permitted Development rules and should not need planning permission. Using some of the room in your garden to create space for activities that you cannot accommodate in the home is a great idea.
Building an outdoor building on your property is much cheaper than extending the home. If you have plenty of room in the garden and not enough room in the house, then an outbuilding is a great low(er) cost option. Outbuildings are generally more substantial than simple sheds and will usually require power by connecting to an existing electricity source, insulation will be essential too if you plan to use the outdoor building in winter.
Hopefully this article will provide the information required to make an informed choice about outbuildings and their typical costs.
If planning on using your outdoor building as an office or workspace, you will certainly need an electrician to safely connect to the house mains electricity supply. In addition, you may wish to have a seperate phone line and Internet connection.
Larger building companies will be able to integrate all such services and offer an inclusive quote with everything you need, but most local tradesmen will expect you to take care of these additional services yourself, which means doing some DIY or hiring additional contractors. If you would like a quote from a local tradesperson use the “Get a Quote" button and get up to 3 quotes!
Outbuildings vary significantly in their style, type, size and specification. The variables which will greatly impact the actual costs include the type of roof (flat roof much cheaper than pitched), doors (full length bi-folding doors can cost more than the main outbuilding itself!), the services required (electrical, internet/data or water in your new outbuilding), and the choice of all your fixtures and fittings.
Can I do it myself?
A DIY build for basic outbuildings, particularly prefabricated buildings, is quite possible. No specialist tools or equipment are required, though you will definitely need some help, but this can be in the form of a willing mate!
The foundation is probably the most difficult part of the job for a DIY enthusiast, but a concrete foundation is essential for the durability of the building. It may make sense to get someone in to lay concrete foundations, then tackle the rest as a DIY project.
What should I be aware of?
Be very careful digging foundations, rupturing a water/gas main or digging up your electricity cables can be a costly and dangerous problem! But don't be tempted to skimp on the foundations because of this, an outbuilding without a proper concrete base will not be structurally sound and will not last well when exposed to the typical British weather.
Most of the problems with outbuildings are caused by trying to cut costs, usually by cutting corners. Use a proper foundation, get a professional builder to erect the structure, and if a timber building have it treated/painted regularly to avoid damp and rot - anything less will likely just cost you more in the long run!
Another area which can catch some out is the site access requirements. When buying a prefabricated kit always check the sizes to ensure the sections will fit through the gate! Also be aware that builders will charge extra if no easy access and they have to transport all the materials through the house to get to the rear garden.
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Outbuilding Prices
The pricing information contained in this article was gathered from a variety of sources, both online and directly from various builders around the UK. But of course the actual price you pay for an outbuilding will depend on your location, along with the size and type of building.
The average material cost to construct an outbuilding will depend mainly on the size and type of building. The average building specialist will usually charge around £150 to £200 per day to build the outbuilding.
The choice of builder will affect the price too, with small, local builders usually being much cheaper than large national companies. For safety reasons, most builders work in a team with at least 2 members on site at all times. As such, you can expect a daily labour charge of anywhere from £200 to £1000 per day, although this additional cost is usually negated by the speed of completion.
Below are some estimated costs of hiring a specialist to build an outbuilding
| Job Description | Avg. Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete garage on a new concrete foundation | £10000 | 2-3 weeks |
| Basic sauna or steam cabin in garden | £3000 | 1-2 weeks |
| Small garden office/studio | £9000 | 2-3 weeks |
| Prefabricated timber summer house (labour-only) | £2500 | 1-2 weeks |
Cost Breakdown
Individual costs to build a small garden office/studio with uPVC windows and pitch roof - Total Cost: £9000
Materials
£5400
Tradesmen
£3150
Waste Removal
£450
Outbuilding Ideas
Outbuildings come in a wide array of shapes and sizes, and if you don't have something specific in mind already, it can be tricky to be decisive about exactly what your project should look like. Take a look at some of these common types and styles of outbuilding and see what inspires you.
Insulated garden office
If you or a family member benefit from the explosion of remote working opportunities in recent years, a garden office can be hugely convenient, not just to help keep your work and family life separate (yet conveniently close!), but also to free up space and declutter the rest of your home. Insulation will ensure that the place is comfortable to work in all year round, but of course you can up- or downscale this project to suit your budget.
Gazebo
Adding a gazebo to your property can certainly bring some gravitas and character, and makes for a fantastic place to host events or just enjoy some quiet chill out time. You can go super elaborate or relatively minimalist in style with this one, whichever works best for you.
Wooden cabin
A small wooden cabin can add a real touch of class to your property and can be creatively designed to match your style. They also benefit from being highly versatile, being easily adapted to hang-outs, dining areas, and office work.
Contemporary Studio
Another versatile option, a studio is defined largely by being a relatively open indoor space that can be used for gym equipment, fitness activities, or even recording music and podcasts if that's your style!
FAQs
If your outbuilding has its own power supply, you might be able to use a powerline adapter, which uses the power line to transmit the wifi signal.
If these options aren't suitable, there are professionals who can assist, so never fear, you'll get that stable signal one way or another!
Sources
https://www.greenretreats.co.uk/outbuildings/
https://www.diy.com/departments/outdoor-garden/garden-buildings/DIY581028.cat
https://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/garden-offices
