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Are you considering of adding a garden room but don’t want to spend a fortune? Let’s go over how cheap you can get one, what affects the price, and where to find the best budget-friendly choices.
The DIY Garden Room Option
Taking the do-it-yourself route can help you keep costs down, with a likely spend of £1,500 to £2,500. At this price, you’d be looking at a basic structure without insulation or electrics.
By doing the work yourself, you save on labour costs, which can be a big chunk of the overall price. You also have control over the materials, so you can choose more low-cost alternatives.
If you’re handy with DIY, you can spread the expense over time rather than paying for everything upfront. For instance, you could add insulation later and electricity when your budget allows.
This option makes sense if you’re building a shed—something simple and mainly for storage. Our guide, ‘Is It Cheaper To Build Your Own Shed?’, covers all the considerations to help you get started.
Upgrades Can Make a Garden Room More Expensive
The more features a garden room has, the higher the cost—and this applies to both DIY and store-bought models.
Labour isn’t a factor if you’re doing it yourself, but specialised jobs like wiring for electricity might require hiring a professional. In contrast, if you’re buying a pre-made or kit-based unit, the base price usually covers a minimal, uninsulated structure. Upgrades like uPVC double glazing, increased floor thickness and treatments, to name a few, can significantly drive up the cost.
Take the BillyOh Fraya Pent Log Cabin as a reference. The smallest size available, 13x8ft, costs around £3,000 at RRP and comes untreated and uninsulated (though it’s made with quality materials and includes felt, fixtures, and fittings). You can upgrade to a pressure-treated version and/or opt for 44mm log thickness for better insulation, but these extras add around £1,000 to the price.
But remember, these additional features aren’t just added costs. Using the same log cabin as an example, they make the space more comfortable, long-lasting, and practical in the long run. So, you’re paying for something worthwhile—it’s the same reason prefab garden rooms cost more.
Again, if you’re on a tight budget, you can always start with a simple setup and upgrade along the way. This can work for DIY or even in a basic pre-made garden room, where you add the extras yourself or with an expert’s help, bit by bit.
Conclusion: Garden Rooms Can Be Cheap
Manufacturers like Garden Buildings Direct keep cost considerations in mind, creating models that are worth every penny. Cheap garden rooms are priced based on size, with some even coming with special offers.
If you’re purchasing online, the trick is to go for reputable brands and find ones that offer a good range of options to suit your budget. And don’t be put off by the word “cheap”—it doesn’t always mean lower quality. It’s all about finding the right store or manufacturer that delivers quality garden buildings at fair prices without cutting corners.
Note: We often run flash sales on many of our garden buildings, including insulated garden rooms and summer houses, so keep an eye out. You might find exactly what you’re looking for at half the price or even less!
If electrics are on your to-do list, this guide has you covered: Top 5 Questions to Consider Before Installing Garden Building Electricity
