Yesterday we were chatting with someone looking to buy a garden office. They needed a designated workspace for a business they are planning to start. They also felt the room would be valuable as a spare bedroom.
This is a perfectly viable solution, and many people are buying garden office buildings so they can use them for more than one thing. But, you have to remember that you need to choose a garden office design that complies with Building Regulations if you are planning to use it for sleeping in.
You need a garden office that complies with Building Regulations if you plan to sleep in it – ever.
The customer we were talking to was taken aback by this statement, and fearful of the implications.
Building Regulations are in place for your safety, they ensure that the building is safe particularly in respect to the spread of fire.
A general garden office building can be built without the need for Building Regulations (unless it is over 30sqm in size) but when you add in the possibility of sleeping in the building, even only occasionally you must apply for and must comply with Building Regulations.
Your garden office supplier will advise you
Please be upfront with your garden office supplier if you plan to sleep in your garden office. They will be able to advise you on how their designs comply with the regulations. With some designers all their buildings comply as standard. Others will modify their designs to comply.
Garden office suppliers will be used to working and liaising with the Building Control departments and will handle this aspect for you. There may be some additional costs in relation to the application fees, but your supplier will make this clear when they quote for the build.
Future proofing
Designing a garden office that has the potential to be used as a bedroom could be a good investment. You not only have the benefit of the extra bedroom for your use, but it could be a USP when you come to sell your house. A garden office that has all the correct paperwork can be legally marketed as an extra room.