Summer House Cost
Last updated 19th May, 2025
How much does it cost to build a summer house in the UK?
This guide covers everything you need to know about summer house costs in 2025. Whether you fancy a small and cosy garden house, a simple flat pack summer house, or a spacious garden retreat — this guide has got you covered!
Let's get started!
Table of Contents
How Much to Build a Summer House?
A typical new summer house costs between £2,500 and £10,500 to build. However, the exact price you're quoted by tradesmen will depend on the material you want to use and the size of the summer house.
Most will opt for larger sizes, often to provide enough space for the furniture/equipment it will contain. Similarly, it is recommended to typically pay more for a higher quality summer house, reducing the likelihood of unexpected faults and (usually) easier maintenance.
An important prerequisite to take into consideration when calculating outbuilding costs is whether foundations are required.
Before purchasing the summer house itself, there first needs to be foundations for the summer house to rest on. Don't be tempted to try and skimp on the foundations due to the extra cost, as an outbuilding without a proper concrete base will not last well in the UK.
The majority of the problems seen with outbuildings are usually caused by trying to cut costs and corners. Always use a proper concrete foundation, and if you are not confident in your DIY skills, get a builder in to erect the structure.
Finally, if you choose a timber building, make sure you have it treated/painted at regular intervals for a long life - trying to save money by avoiding wood treatment will likely cost you more in the long term. When buying a prefabricated kit, always check the delivery sizes and make sure the sections will fit through the gate, as they may be too heavy to lift over the fence!
Avoid cheaper, low-quality timber when buying a summer house, as this is often a false economy.
Summer House Prices
Below are some estimated costs of building a summer house.
| Job Description | Avg. Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Prefabricated Timber Summer House (Labour-Only) | £2500 | 1-2 weeks |
| Log Cabin Style Summer House 6m x 3m (Supply And Build) | £5000 | 1-2 weeks |
| 8m x 5m Luxury Summer House (Supply And Build) | £10,500 | 2 weeks |
Additional Summer House Costs
The summer house cost may just be one element of your overall budget.
Depending on what state your garden is in and what you plan on using the summer house for, you may need to consider the following:
Garden Clearance
Some gardens may be ready for a summer house straight away, but others might need some maintenance first.
If you need to clear an unused area of your garden, for example, you could do it yourself, or you could hire someone.
The cost of removing garden waste will vary, but expect to pay anywhere between £10 and £50 per hour for a handyman, if you decide to go that route.
For ongoing work, the hourly cost of garden maintenance is often between £30 and £50 per visit.
Insulation
Whatever type of summer house you buy, you should consider insulating it.
This means you can spend more time in it even during the winter months to get the most out of your investment.
Electrical Work
You should also consider whether or not you will need mains power.
Mains electric must be installed by a qualified professional, so you'll need to factor electrician prices into your budget.
If you decide not to install electrics, then it is especially important that you consider how much natural light you will have, given the chosen location.
Treatment
If buying a timber summer house or a log cabin, then it is recommended that you treat the timber once the cabin has been erected for a long-lasting build.
When planning a summer house, make sure it isn't built too near to any fence or walls, and always leave enough space for easy access to paint or treat the timber, otherwise the wood will rot and fail much sooner than it should.
Summer House Cost Breakdown Calculator
Individual costs of building a summer house.
Total Cost: £9000
Materials
£4950
Tradesmen
£4050
Waste Removal
£0
Labour Cost to Build a Summer House
This is a large project for a tradesperson because it requires providing proper foundations and the correct fabrication of the summer house itself.
Due to the scale, this can take a few weeks to be completed, which can make any tradesperson's time quite an expense on the project.
If a typical tradesperson costs roughly £200 per day, over 2 weeks (10 working days), this would cost around £2,000.
It would be best to be clear with the tradesperson about their daily rate and the expected time frame of completion of the project beforehand.
Depending on the scale, there may be a need for an additional tradesperson to assist with the project, particularly for any heavy lifting, which could effectively double the labour cost, but will likely halve the labour time as a result.
This type of work is best completed correctly rather than quickly. Rushing could cause additional problems later, which would incur further costs.
What Impacts Summer House Costs?
Your summer house cost will be affected by multiple factors, including:
Size
The size of the summer house you choose will affect both the purchase cost and the price of any labour required to install it.
Luxury summer houses may be more complex than basic installation, so bear in mind that this might increase the cost of labour.
Access
If it's difficult to get the materials for the summer house into the garden, this could slow the process down.
Consider whether you need to move garden furniture or even temporarily remove fence panels to allow easy access for your tradesmen.
Ground Conditions
The state of the ground can also slow down the building of your summer house.
If the ground is uneven and unsuitable for foundations to be immediately installed, you may need to hire a handyman to help you even it out. This can incur extra labour costs, plus waste removal costs if there is a lot of detritus to dispose of.
Weather
British weather can be unpredictable, so even choosing to have your summer house installed during the warmer months may not guarantee a straightforward build.
If your tradesmen have to break off from the job because of the weather, this may increase the overall labour costs.
DIY Summer House
Basic outbuildings can be constructed on a DIY basis, especially as prefabricated building kits are readily available and require no specialist tools or equipment, though you will definitely need some assistance in the form of at least one other person.
Building a concrete foundation is probably the most difficult part of this project for a DIY enthusiast, but a decent foundation is essential for the durability of the building.
A garden summer house or log cabin can be constructed on any solid base, such as paving slabs, concrete or even an existing patio. However, you need to check with the manufacturer before ordering to ensure you have the correct base before you start building the structure.
The most important part of any building is the foundation, which must be strong and level, a summer house is no different, as an uneven base means the shed will buckle and twist, cracking windows and jamming doors tightly against the frame.
It is quite common (and recommended) to get someone in to lay concrete foundations, then tackle the actual building of the summer house as a DIY project. If you do decide to do the foundations yourself, be very careful to avoid rupturing any water/gas pipes or digging up your electricity cables.
These mistakes can be very expensive indeed as well as being dangerous.
