Homeowners spend £57,722 on garden room to avoid extension delays and planning hurdles
New-build buyers in Cumbria chose a prefabricated garden room installed in two weeks after being deterred by developer and council permission requirements for a traditional extension
A couple in Cumbria spent £57,722 on a prefabricated garden room to add living space to their recently purchased new-build house, saying the cost and delays of a conventional extension made an outbuilding the more practical option.
Lisa and Vimal Umakanthan bought a detached new-build in Barrow-in-Furness in October 2023 for £625,000. After moving in, they decided they wanted additional separate space for relaxing and entertaining but were put off by the prospect of seeking permission from the developer and submitting a full planning application to their local council for a side extension.
"We looked into doing a traditional extension at first. But the costs, timeframes and hassle of planning permission really put us off," Lisa told the Daily Mail. The couple instead commissioned an external garden room that — they said — could be installed without the need for full planning approval. The structure was built in two weeks, and Lisa said the firm Tiger Module supplied the room and most of its fixtures; the bar in a separate area was purchased separately.
The Umakanthans described the interior as a seating area around a media wall, with a fire in the main room and a separate bar area. Vimal is a doctor and Lisa is a homemaker.
Manufacturers and retailers of garden rooms often market them as outbuildings that can fall within permitted development rules in the U.K., potentially avoiding a full planning application depending on the building's size, siting and the specifics of the property and developer restrictions. Homeowners considering such projects typically must still check local planning rules and any covenants or restrictions set by developers.
The couple's decision highlights a trade-off homeowners face between traditional extensions, which can require planning permission and developer approval and may involve longer lead times and higher on-site disruption, and prefabricated outbuildings that promise faster installation and fewer regulatory hurdles when they meet permitted development conditions.
Industry suppliers of garden rooms have in recent years promoted modular, factory-built structures as a faster alternative to brick-and-mortar extensions, emphasizing shorter delivery and installation schedules. Some customers are drawn to the ability to create dedicated work, leisure or guest space without the upheaval of building work attached to the main house.
The Umakanthans' spend represents a fraction of their home purchase price, though it is a sizable additional outlay for an external structure. They said the arrangement gave them the separate space they wanted without the complications they expected from a traditional extension.
Prospective buyers and homeowners remain advised to seek clarity from their local planning authority and any developer warranties or covenants before proceeding with garden buildings, to ensure compliance with regulations and any contractual obligations tied to new-build properties.