There are a number of practical considerations you’ll need to think about when investing in a garden building, whether it’s a garden office, therapy room or workshop, a summerhouse, greenhouse or garden shed. The good news is that Surrey Hills Garden Buildings is here to guide you through every step, providing all the expert advice you need to ensure your design matches your vision, and your installation runs like a dream.
A common question from our customers is whether or not planning permission is required for a garden building. The Government Planning Portal provides advice specifically related to outbuildings.
In summary, outbuildings are considered permitted development, which means they do not need planning permission, providing they fall within set limits and conditions.
Some of the most important rules to follow are that any outbuilding must be single storey with a maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres and maximum overall height of 4 metres with a dual pitched roof, or 3 metres for other roof types. For buildings within 2 metres of the house, the maximum height cannot exceed 2.5 metres. Any verandas, balconies or raised platforms must not exceed 0.3 metres in height. No more than half the area of land around the original house may be covered by the building. If your property is located in a Conservation Area, or is a listed building, then planning permission will be required for any size of garden building.
Greenhouses and garden buildings are delivered around 20 weeks after you place your order. A delivery date will be confirmed to you directly from the manufacturer.
Installation will be arranged once date of delivery has been confirmed, for the same day wherever possible, and this will be carried out by the building supplier’s team. You will be kept fully informed of the delivery and installation schedule. Some buildings may only take 2 hours to install, others 1-2 days.
You will need to ensure that someone is at home to sign for the delivery, and that person will need to be over 18 years of age. If it has not been possible to arrange your delivery and installation dates for the same day, then it will be down to you to ensure that your garden building is kept in a secure location until our installers arrive.
It is important that you inform us in advance of any access restrictions at your property as we may need to make special arrangements for our installation team.
If we are entering your back garden via a side gate, please let us know the width of the gate, and whether there are any height restrictions. We’ll also need to know the distance to the base, and whether there are any obstacles such as steps or steep slopes.
Our installers are not allowed to lift any item over 4 feet (1.2 metres) in height, so if there is a need to remove fence panels then we will need to know in advance.
It may be necessary, if there is no outside access, to transport materials through your house. If so we will need to know about any tight turns. We will of course take careful steps to protect your property, but you may wish to temporarily relocate any fragile belongings that will be in our path.
Please also advise us about any parking restrictions in your street. It is important that we are able to park as close to your property as possible.
It is recommended that a space of 18 inches is left around the building for the installers to work, and to make future maintenance straightforward. This space will also allow for any roof overhangs that certain buildings have.
When we conduct our site survey, we will advise on the prime orientation and situation for your garden building. We will help you choose the position that makes the most of natural light, and to ensure you achieve the best views from your garden room.
It will be down to you as to ensure that the situation of the building does not put it in breach of permitted development rules, i.e. if the building exceeds a total of 2.5 metres in height then it must not be sited any less than 2 metres from your main house.
A truly personalised service from an experienced, family-run team, always on hand before, during and after your build. Surrey Hills is the place where relationships matter.
Our in-depth knowledge of all aspects of garden buildings means you’ll experience nothing but the finest quality and attention to detail as we bring your vision to life.
From the design of your dream garden room through to preparing the space, building to your tailored specification, installation and aftercare, everything is taken care of.
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