Your garden could become an office, a gym or a relaxation area. There are a few things you need to know when looking to install one in Scotland.
Consider insulation, foundations, glazing, the finish and how the supplier will install the room.
If you’re after a garden room that is finished and can be used all year round then urbanpods is a recommended starting point. The comparison also covers four other Scottish suppliers.
What’s Covered
- Suppliers of Garden Rooms
- urbanpods
- JML Garden Rooms
- Outside In Garden Rooms
- Garden Rooms by Creative
- Oakspan Garden Rooms
- Things to note before installing
- Our conclusion
Suppliers of Garden Rooms
| Company | Who it’s suitable for | Ranges | Other Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| urbanpods | If you want something stylish | Various ranges and bespoke | The showroom is open 7 days and has an interior side to its business. |
| JML Garden Rooms | If your garden is more architectural | Various ranges and bespoke | Uses structural insulated panels. |
| Outside In Garden Rooms | If you want someone to manage the project for you | Customisable ranges | Manufactured in Glasgow and offers installation. |
| Garden Rooms by Creative | If you want a timber kit garden room | Modular and bespoke | Install timber kit Garden Rooms. |
| Oakspan Garden Rooms | If you want to renovate your garden | Bespoke | They will also renovate your garden. |
Make sure you look at what is included in the finish of each product.
1. urbanpods – Stylish and Showroom
Having a showroom allows customers to inspect the room, glazing and finishes before buying.
This is one reason urbanpods is a good starting point. Based in Livingston, the company has a showroom at Unit 19 Napier Square, open 7 days a week. You can view their Garden Rooms in person, instead of just pictures online.
Instead of giving you an empty garden room, urbanpods supplies rooms with a full fit-out. These include foundations, painted walls, lights, sockets, flooring and infrared heaters in the roof. There are various sizes and styles to choose from:
- ufficio: Ideal if your garden is smaller or you just want an office space.
- medio: Larger, allows space for 2 desks, gym or chill area.
- perfetto and massimo: Bigger, allows more space for multiple uses.
- Bespoke: For a customised room, urbanpods can design around the garden and intended use.
As mentioned above, they also have an interiors side to their business. Offering furniture through their BoConcept partnership. As well as outdoor kitchens through their partnership with Grillo for their pergola.
Companies House records show that urbanpods was incorporated in December 2017. Customer accounts collected on CityMaps describe helpful design discussions, installation and satisfaction with the finished rooms.
If you want an office, you can view these and pick where you want windows, doors, etc and the company will build your garden room. They state that their garden rooms are manufactured in Livingston, and that most are assembled on site, while fully built pods can be craned into place if site access allows.
urbanpods should be your first port of call if you want something designed to your liking, fully fitted and a showroom that you can visit 7 days a week.
2. JML Garden Rooms
If your garden isn’t suitable for the standard-sized garden room, JML Garden Rooms are worth looking into.
Based in Perthshire, they have various ranges, from the Bothy, Lowlander, and Highlander to bespoke. They also do garden annexes and office pods. Using SIPs they have shown images of offices, studios and other garden rooms they’ve made.
If you want a dedicated art studio, they may be able to accommodate that. They also have a showroom, but you will need to book an appointment with them first.
Since they offer various ranges, you should compare each to make sure you get what you are after.
If you have something unique that you want installed, look at JML.
3. Outside In Garden Rooms
Outside In Garden Rooms are based in Glasgow and can install a garden room at your home.
They offer a range of services, from the foundation, building, decorating and hooking up electrics. They will provide you with a garden room that includes insulated floors, walls and ceiling, laminate flooring, glass, lights and cat 6 internet cabling.
So if you want someone to take care of the whole project, Outside In Garden Rooms can do this.
They also have named garden-room ranges that can be customised to suit your garden. And can supply you with modular buildings for various uses.
If you live in central Scotland, you may want to compare them.
4. Garden Rooms by Creative
You can also have a garden room made by Garden Rooms by Creative. They build modular garden rooms, offices, and gyms around Scotland.
According to its website, the walls, floor, and ceiling are insulated with rigid insulation and built on top of concrete. They will manage your project, from surveying to decorating your garden room. They also have a 10 year guarantee.
Groundwork may be something you should think about, because its rooms use a concrete base rather than the ground screws offered by some suppliers.
They have an office, manufacturing, and show site in Dalgety Bay, as well as a showroom in Tillicoultry.
Best fit: Worth comparing for buyers who favour insulated timber-kit construction and a managed start-to-finish service.
5. Oakspan Garden Rooms
You may need paths, fences, etc around your garden room, Oakspan Garden Rooms may suit projects that include wider garden improvements.
They specialise in building bespoke, insulated, Garden Rooms, around your house and garden, they also offer patios, walling, fencing and other landscaping. Oakspan advertises work in Glasgow and Central Scotland; check whether it serves your postcode.
Their founder, Kevin Tomlinson, will look over your garden, and quote you on the price, he can scope both the garden room and the surrounding landscaping.
Look at Oakspan if you want both a garden room and the surrounding garden improved.
Things to Note Before Installing a Garden Room
Before you decide, ask what’s included in your quote; here is a checklist:
- If you plan to use it all year round, ask what insulation is included in the walls, floor and roof.
- Foundations, will they use ground screws or a concrete base, and how will they access your garden?
- What’s included in the finish, heating, sockets, lights, flooring, etc.
- Who will install it? Will they do the groundwork, hook up the electrics, decorate, etc, if not, who will you use?
- What will you use your garden room for, working, gym, or living space, you may need to look into permissions for this.
You should look into your local council’s website for householder permissions from the Scottish government, on what’s allowed, and not, for Garden Rooms. That particular guidance applies to dwellinghouses; other property types may be subject to different planning rules. Building warrants are a separate consideration; Scottish Government guidance advises contacting your local council to confirm whether a warrant is required.
Tip: Compare your quotes on similar stages of completion. One company may have a cheaper quote, but once you have added the missing fittings, your total cost may be higher than another supplier who gave you a higher quote, but has more included.
Conclusion
As this comparison shows, there are many suppliers that you can compare when looking to buy a garden room. Whether you need an architecturally designed room, want someone to install it all for you, or need a more tailored building design, there is someone for you.
However, if you want to see what a built out garden room can look like, you should check out urbanpods.
For homeowners who value a complete garden room, consider design and showroom access, urbanpods is the recommended starting point in this comparison.
