Modular garden offices: The customisable, cost-effective, and quick way to create a new workspace
Great choice on deciding to go with a modular garden office building! This design route offers excellent flexibility and customisation options resulting in an office tailored to meet your specific needs while still being affordable and efficient.
Unlike pre-designed office ranges, modular design specialists offer a range of customisation options that allow you to create a configuration of doors and windows and a mix of design features that truly meets your needs.
The lead time for modular garden office buildings is quick, particularly compared with the bespoke design route. Specialist modular companies have streamlined the ordering process and then manufacture the building in-house in a way that it can be assembled on-site in just a few days. This means that you'll be able to move into your new workspace much sooner than you would with a bespoke design, all while enjoying the benefits of a tailored, fully-functional office space.
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Where can you buy a traditional-style modular garden office?
When purchasing a modular garden room, you'll be working directly with the manufacturer, which offers a range of benefits.
Larger manufacturers often have showrooms that allow you to view furnished examples of their modular garden rooms, which can help give you a better sense of the available options and what your finished product might look like.
Many manufacturers also offer online design configurators that allow you to experiment with different configurations and see the price update in real time with each choice you make. This can be an incredibly helpful tool in ensuring that you stay within budget while still creating a garden room that meets your specific needs.
If you prefer a more personal touch, you can also arrange an in-person design consultation with the manufacturer. During this consultation, you'll be able to discuss your vision with the manufacturer directly and get their expert guidance on how to achieve your ideal garden room.
Specialist modular garden office companies:
One of the longest-established names in the industry. SMART offer several traditional style ranges. Each range is a starting point for you to choose the size, layout and features that work for you. They have a show site in Suffolk where you can view their ranges and an online configurator to design your building without obligation. Explore SMART Garden Rooms, Offices & Studios' different options.
Warwick Buildings have 35+ years of experience in timber garden buildings. They offer several traditional style ranges which are the starting point for your ideal configuration. They have a show site in Warwickshire and an online configurator that allows you to design your office without obligation. Explore Warwick Buildings different garden office options.
Modular specialists offer a range of traditional designs, which are the starting point for your customisations
Modular garden office companies offer a range of different design ranges, each incorporating unique features that can help you create a garden office that perfectly suits your style and functional needs. Some ranges might feature cubed rooflines for a modern, contemporary look, while others might have a veranda and roof canopy detailing that adds a lovely connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Regardless of which design range you choose, these options serve as a great starting point for you to pick a size and configure the doors and windows to create your ideal layout.
Modular design offers a lot of flexibility when it comes to office size
It's important to note that when exploring your options for modular garden offices, companies may quote either internal or external measurements. It's essential to know which measurement is being used, as this can affect the size of the office you ultimately end up with.
The smallest modular garden office designs typically start at 2m x 2.5m externally and go upwards from there in 500mm or 600mm increments. This means you can choose a size that fits your available space and functional needs, whether you need a small office for personal use or a larger workspace for a team.
However, it's worth noting that the biggest size you'll commonly find in modular garden office companies is around 30 square meters. This is because anything larger than this will need to comply with Building Regulations, which can significantly increase the cost and complexity of the project.
The beauty of modular garden office design
One of the main advantages of modular garden office design is that it allows you to mix and match modules of solid wall with different window and door configurations, giving you the flexibility to create your ideal building. The companies' online configurators make it easy to experiment with different options in a free and no-obligation way, so you can see how different configurations might look and choose the one that works best for you.
There are also a variety of options you can choose to personalise the interior of your office, from flooring options to heating and cooling systems, data cabling, and USB charging points. This means that you can create an office space that meets your specific needs and enhances your productivity and comfort.
What’s typically included when you buy a modular garden office
When purchasing a modular garden office, the price you are quoted typically includes the fully insulated structure pre-wired electrically and its installation in your garden and VAT. Many modular specialists also include the foundation system in this price, while others may ask you to arrange this separately or quote for it after a site survey. It's important to check what is included in the price before you commit to a purchase, so you can budget accordingly.
Additionally, you will need to leave room in your budget for the final electrical connection between the office and your house. To comply with Building Regulations, you will need to engage a local electrician to carry out this work. It's also worth considering any delivery charges, as these may be an additional cost.
Pros and cons of buying a modular garden office rather than buying a pre-designed range or going down the bespoke design route
There are several benefits to buying a modular garden office and working directly with the manufacturer. Here are a few:
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Personalisation
Working directly with the manufacturer allows you to personalise your garden office to your specific needs and preferences. Each company offers several styles of building and a broad palette of door and window styles so you can choose your ideal configuration. There are lots of options you can choose to personalise the interior finishes and features of your workspace too.
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Size
With pre-designed garden offices, you are limited to standard-size options. With modular design, you have much more flexibility over the size. Modular garden offices are commonly available in 500mm or 600mm increments up to 30sqm.
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Quick ordering process
The ordering process of modular garden offices is typically quick and easy, with online configurators, showroom visits, and in-person design consultations available to help you create a custom-designed office space that meets your specific needs.
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Material & cost-efficient
Modular garden offices are built to be material efficient, which makes them quick to manufacture and cost-effective, as less material waste means lower production costs and better for the environment.
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In-house manufacturing
Modular garden offices are typically constructed in-house in hi-tech factories, which ensures consistent quality and precision and allows for more efficient production and quicker lead times.
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In-house installation
Modular garden office companies often have their own in-house teams who travel to the site to assemble and install the office building, which helps ensure a high level of quality control and a quick, efficient installation.
There are some downsides to buying a modular garden office compared with purchasing a pre-designed range or going down the bespoke design route:
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Cost
Modular garden offices are often a little more expensive than similar-sized pre-designed ranges.
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Limited design options
While modular garden offices offer a range of customisation options, they may not offer the same level of design flexibility as a bespoke design. If you have very specific design requirements or a unique vision for your office space, a modular design may not be able to meet your needs.
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Limited shapes
While modular garden office design offers many customisation options, it is limited to square or rectangular buildings. If you want to create an L-shape building or incorporate an angled wall to maximise available space, you’d need to consider a bespoke design.
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Limited custom sizes
Modular garden office design offers a range of size options, but you are limited to the size increments that the company offers. If you need a custom-sized building that falls outside of the available size options, you’d need to consider a bespoke design.
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Difficult sites
Some modular garden office companies may not be able to undertake projects where the intended site is not reasonably level. Where extensive groundworks are required or a specialist foundation calculated, you’d need to work with a bespoke designer who will undertake these tasks.
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Standardisation
Modular garden offices are designed to be cost-effective and efficient, which means that they often rely on standardized components and construction methods. This can result in a somewhat uniform look and feel to modular garden offices, which may not be to everyone's taste.