Gardens vs Extensions, which one is the best investment for your home?

Garden Rooms vs. Extensions: Which is the Best Investment for Your Home?

When it comes to adding extra space to your home, deciding between a garden room or a traditional extension can be tough. Both options have unique benefits and appeal to different needs, so which one should you choose? Let’s examine the ins and outs of each to help you determine which investment might be the best fit for your lifestyle and property.

Understanding the Options

Garden Rooms are standalone or semi-attached structures in your garden, providing an additional living or working space separate from the main house. These rooms come with various customisation options for insulation, heating, and finishes, making them suitable for year-round use.

Home Extensions, on the other hand, are permanent additions to the house that expand its footprint, adding extra rooms or expanding existing ones. They require more structural work to integrate with the existing building but add traditional, contiguous space to your home.

1. Purpose and Usage

The intended use of your additional space can heavily influence the decision.

Garden Rooms are perfect if you’re looking for a multi-purpose space. They’re great for home offices, gyms, creative studios, or even entertainment rooms. Garden rooms offer an “out of the house” feeling that can boost productivity and create a separation between work and personal space. For parents, a garden room could also serve as a teenager's retreat or play area for younger children.

In contrast, Extensions may be better suited if you want the extra space directly connected to your home. They’re ideal if you’re planning to expand your kitchen, create a new bathroom, or add an extra bedroom. Because they’re connected to the main house, extensions are better for spaces where you’ll frequently need easy access, like dining areas or bathrooms.

2. Cost and Affordability

When it comes to cost, garden rooms and extensions vary significantly.

Garden Rooms generally cost less than a full extension. The overall expense can be lower because they typically don’t require as much structural work or disruption to the main house. Most garden rooms fall in the £10,000 to £40,000 range, depending on size, insulation, and customisation options. And with Scotia Cabins' garden rooms, you can choose from Redwood, Cedar, or Cedral finishes that fit different budgets, all of which offer excellent value for their durability and appearance.

Extensions are generally pricier, with costs starting around £20,000 and easily climbing to £100,000 or more for larger, two-storey extensions. These prices often include factors like groundwork, structural adjustments, and integration with existing electrical and plumbing systems. Planning permission and building regulations also need to be factored in, which can add both time and expense.

3. Planning Permission

One of the more complicated aspects of adding space to your home is obtaining planning permission, and garden rooms and extensions have different requirements.

Garden Rooms often don’t require planning permission if they fall within certain limits, like height restrictions or proximity to property boundaries. Most Scotia Cabins garden rooms are designed to comply with permitted development rights, making the process easier and faster.

In contrast, Extensions usually require planning permission, especially if they alter the appearance or structure of your home significantly. Applying for permission can add both time and expense to your project, and if your home is in a conservation area or a listed building, the process can be even more complicated.

4. Installation Time and Disruption

Adding extra space to your home will inevitably cause some level of disruption, but the extent varies depending on the choice you make.

Garden Rooms can be installed relatively quickly, often within a few weeks. Scotia Cabins' garden rooms are designed with efficiency in mind, so installation is typically straightforward and minimally disruptive. The work takes place outside the main house, which means your daily life is less likely to be interrupted.

Extensions, however, require extensive work that’s directly tied to your home, which can be a major inconvenience if you’re living in the house during construction. Larger extensions, especially those that alter kitchen or bathroom space, might take several months to complete. Dust, noise, and limited access to parts of your home are common issues with extension projects.

5. Flexibility and Customisation

Both garden rooms and extensions can be tailored to meet your specific needs, but they differ in how flexible they are.

Garden Rooms provide great flexibility, as they can be designed to suit various purposes and aesthetic preferences. With different insulation, heating, and design options, Scotia Cabins' garden rooms offer year-round comfort and customisation that aligns with both budget and style.

Extensions offer a more traditional look and feel, seamlessly blending with your home’s existing architecture. While customisation is possible, there’s generally less flexibility due to the need for extensions to match the rest of the home, and internal layout changes may be limited by structural considerations.

6. Maintenance and Durability

Longevity and maintenance requirements can be another deciding factor.

Garden Rooms from Scotia Cabins are designed to be durable and low-maintenance, especially if you choose finishes like Cedral, which requires no upkeep. These garden rooms stand up well to the elements and are built for longevity, making them a good investment that shouldn’t require constant maintenance.

Extensions, being part of the main structure, may require more upkeep over time, as they’re subject to the same wear and tear as the rest of your home. Cracks, leaks, and paintwork may need attention over the years, particularly if the extension is exposed to severe weather.

7. Return on Investment (ROI)

Ultimately, many homeowners want to know which option will add the most value to their property.

Garden Rooms are popular with buyers seeking work-from-home options or extra, versatile space, and they can add considerable value to your home. In particular, having a garden room can be a selling point, as it signals additional usable space that doesn’t infringe on the main living areas.

Extensions typically add more in terms of traditional property value, particularly if you’re adding functional living spaces, like bedrooms or bathrooms. While an extension might bring a higher resale value, it also demands a larger upfront investment. If you’re adding bedrooms in a popular family area, an extension could significantly increase your home’s appeal and selling price.

After our most recent budget however, do you want your home to exceed the thresholds for IHT? If you happen to have a property that is over that, or close to it, or could end up rising into that, maybe a garden room is the better option? As while it looks great on the estate agency sheets, it is never factored into the value of a property/home. Controversial point maybe, and no doubt will raise some discussion and differing thoughts. I am just letting you all know what I have been told by many an EA over the years.

8. Environmental Considerations

With rising environmental awareness, many homeowners are looking for eco-friendly solutions.

Garden Rooms offer a smaller environmental footprint, as they require fewer materials and often use sustainable resources. Insulation options in Scotia Cabins' garden rooms mean you can keep energy usage low while maintaining comfort year-round.

Extensions typically have a larger impact due to the extensive materials required. Insulating extensions to modern standards is essential to improve their energy efficiency, but it can be more challenging to ensure they’re as eco-friendly as a standalone garden room.

9. Suitability for Smaller Properties

If you’re working with limited outdoor space, choosing the right expansion option is critical.

Garden Rooms are often ideal for smaller properties, as they can be tailored to fit tighter spaces without crowding your garden. A garden room can provide valuable space even in smaller gardens, allowing homeowners to add a unique living area without compromising too much outdoor space. We can go as small as 6m sq, which might just be enough to save sanity in the house!

Extensions can make a property feel cramped if not well-planned, particularly in smaller homes. Expanding outwards or upwards may eat into the backyard space or limit natural light in adjoining rooms, affecting the home’s overall layout and feel. An awful lot of money can be spent which you never really 'see' (planning being one of them)

10. Conclusion: Making Your Choice

In deciding between a garden room and an extension, it all comes down to what aligns best with your goals, budget, and property needs. Here’s a quick recap:

Choose a Garden Room if:

You’re looking for a flexible, cost-effective solution.

You want minimal disruption and a quick installation.

You appreciate the idea of a separate, multi-purpose space.

You want an option that generally doesn’t require planning permission.

Choose an Extension if:

You need a fully integrated addition to your home.

You’re prepared for a larger budget and a more significant time commitment.

You’re looking to increase your property’s resale value in a more traditional way. (Remember my point above though!)

You’re interested in adding bedrooms, bathrooms, or extended living spaces directly connected to your home.

At the end of the day, both garden rooms and extensions are valuable investments. For a contemporary, hassle-free, and versatile addition, a garden room might just be the perfect fit. On the other hand, if you’re looking to expand your home in a more traditional way, an extension could be a worthwhile investment.

Sadly we cannot add a garden room onto the side of a house (and if anyone says you can, avoid!) so it is one or t'other, unless you have loads of space and need both.

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