FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS /
We've answered some of the most common questions our customers have below.
However, if you have any specific queries or concerns just give a member of our team a call on 01480 277441, or email hello@AMCgardenrooms.co.uk
MY GARDEN ROOM /
Can you create custom-shaped garden rooms?
Yes.
Our garden rooms are designed around the available space and how you want to use it, so they do not have to be a standard rectangular shape.
We can create L-shaped buildings, stepped layouts and other bespoke configurations, as well as incorporating separate rooms or storage areas where required.
During the site survey we will discuss the space available and develop a layout that works for both the garden and the intended use of the building.
Can you install partition walls?
Yes.
Your garden room does not have to be one open-plan space. We can create separate rooms in almost any configuration, including offices, bedrooms, bathrooms, storage areas, changing rooms and plant or utility spaces.
Internal layouts are designed as part of the overall project so that doors, lighting, electrics, heating and plumbing can all be positioned correctly from the outset.
Will my garden office have heating?
Garden rooms are designed for year-round use and we can provide several heating options depending on the size and intended use of the building.
Options include portable electric heaters, wall-mounted electric radiators, premium Wi-Fi controlled radiators, electric underfloor heating and air conditioning systems capable of both heating and cooling.
For larger residential annexes we can also specify air source heat pump systems where appropriate.
Your design consultant can advise on the most suitable option for your project.
Can I have a kitchen or bathroom in my garden room?
Yes.
We can provide fully fitted kitchens, kitchenettes, bathrooms, shower rooms and wet rooms as part of the project.
For annexes, we normally include an initial kitchen allowance based on your requirements. Once the project is underway, you can then work directly with Howdens on the detailed kitchen design and finishes. The kitchen is supplied to us for installation and any difference in cost is adjusted accordingly.
Bathrooms can be designed around your requirements, from a simple WC or shower room through to a fully fitted bathroom or tanked wet room.
We can also manage the associated plumbing, hot water, drainage and electrical work as part of the project.
Can I incorporate a shed area into my garden room?
Yes, it’s possible to have a shed area integrated into the design of your room. The entrance could be via an internal door, or externally via a separate door. If external, we can clad the door in matching cladding so that it is discrete.
Do you build pergolas or decking?
Yes we do. A decked area or pergola outside your garden room can be a lovely addition and make a real feature in your garden. Please discuss this with your consultant who will be happy to incorporate it into a design.
Can I have a living roof on my garden room?
Yes. We can install either a green roof (using low-maintenance sedum) or a brown roof on to your garden room. A brown roof recreates a brown field site where the surface is left to self-seed via birds or the wind.
Do you supply fitted furniture?
Yes we do. We can design and install all types of bespoke fitted furniture to help you make best use of the available space. This includes desks, storage units, cabinets and wardrobes. We can also supply and install ancillary fittings for a gym or exercise studio such as floor-to-ceiling mirrors and barres. We can plan this in advance, or after the room has been built and you have decided where you would like things.
What other options are there to customise my garden room?
Almost every element of the building can be customised.
Options include:
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a choice of external cladding including Thermowood, Canadian cedar, composite and Cedral
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alternative cladding materials where a particular finish is required
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fully customisable door and window sizes, positions and configurations
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uPVC glazing as standard, with aluminium available as an upgrade
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sliding, French and bifold doors
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integral blinds and solar-control glazing
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different flooring finishes, including specialist gym and acoustic flooring
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bespoke lighting, power and data layouts
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heating, underfloor heating and air conditioning
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fitted furniture and storage
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internal partition walls
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kitchens, bathrooms and shower rooms
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acoustic and insulation upgrades
We can also incorporate other products or finishes where you have something specific in mind. Our buildings are manufactured to order rather than being limited to a fixed list of standard configurations.
How much maintenance will my garden room need?
AMC garden rooms are designed to require relatively little ongoing maintenance.
The amount required will depend mainly on the external finish you choose. Timber cladding such as Thermowood or cedar can be left to weather naturally or treated periodically if you wish to retain or alter its appearance. Composite and fibre-cement cladding such as Cedral generally require very little maintenance beyond occasional cleaning.
As with any building, gutters and drainage should be kept clear and doors, windows and external finishes should be inspected periodically.
We can explain the maintenance requirements of your chosen materials before installation.
THE BUYING PROCESS /
What happens during a site survey?
During the site survey we will discuss how you intend to use the building, the size and layout you are considering, access to the site and any planning or technical considerations.
We will also discuss finishes, glazing, heating, electrics and any additional requirements such as kitchens, bathrooms or internal walls.
Following the survey, we will prepare a detailed quotation together with drawings showing the proposed building.
How much does a site survey cost?
Our site surveys are free of charge within a 100 mile radius of our offices in Huntingdon. We may need to charge if you live further than that, but the cost will be deducted off any order you subsequently place with us.
What are your payment terms?
We require a deposit when you place your order, followed by staggered payments in advance of the installation date. The balance is payable on the last day of installation once you have inspected and are completely happy with your new garden room or annexe. Full details of payment terms will be included on your quotation.
Are AMC garden offices guaranteed?
All AMC garden rooms and annexes are covered by a 10-year structural guarantee.
Individual components and products may also carry their own manufacturer warranties.
Full guarantee details are included within your Sales Order Contract.
Do you have a showroom I can visit?
Yes, we have a lovely show garden room you can visit at our offices in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. Viewing is by appointment only, so please give us a call on 01480 277441 or e-mail hello@AMCgardenrooms.co.uk to arrange a time.
PLANNING PERMISSION & BUILDING REGULATIONS /
Do I need planning permission for a garden room?
In many cases, a garden room can be installed without a planning application under permitted development rights.
For a typical garden room, the main requirements include:
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The building must be single storey.
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If any part of the building is within 2 metres of the property boundary, its overall height must not exceed 2.5 metres.
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If it is more than 2 metres from the boundary, the maximum overall height is normally 3 metres, or 4 metres for a dual-pitched roof, with a maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres.
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The building must not normally be positioned forward of the principal elevation of the original house.
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The total area covered by extensions, outbuildings and other structures must not exceed 50% of the land around the original house.
There can be additional restrictions for listed buildings, properties in designated areas or properties where permitted development rights have previously been removed.
As part of the design process, we can advise on the likely planning position and whether a planning application or Lawful Development Certificate would be appropriate.
How close can my garden room be to the boundary?
From a planning perspective, a garden room can normally be positioned close to the boundary provided its overall height does not exceed 2.5 metres where any part of the building is within 2 metres of that boundary.
Building Regulations are a separate consideration.
For detached garden rooms between 15m² and 30m², Building Regulations will normally not apply where the building is either at least 1 metre from the boundary or is constructed substantially from non-combustible materials.
Our construction methods mean we can often position buildings very close to a boundary where required.
Where possible, we may still recommend leaving some space for installation, access and future maintenance.
Is there a 30m² size limit for garden rooms?
No.
There is no general 30m² planning limit for garden rooms.
The 30m² figure relates to Building Regulations rather than planning permission.
Under permitted development, the main area restriction is usually that the total ground covered by extensions, outbuildings and other structures must not exceed 50% of the land surrounding the original house.
If you require a larger garden room, we can design it accordingly and advise on any planning or Building Regulations requirements.
Do garden rooms need Building Regulations approval?
Not always.
A detached garden building containing no sleeping accommodation will normally be exempt from Building Regulations where:
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the internal floor area is less than 15m²; or
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the internal floor area is between 15m² and 30m² and the building is either at least 1 metre from the boundary or constructed substantially from non-combustible materials.
Where a garden room is over 30m², Building Regulations will normally apply.
The rules are also different where the building is intended to provide sleeping or residential accommodation.
AMC can design and construct garden rooms either with or without Building Regulations approval depending on the size, use and specification of the project.
Can AMC build a garden room over 30m²?
Yes.
Garden rooms can be significantly larger than 30m².
A building over 30m² will normally need to comply with Building Regulations and the planning position will also need to be considered.
We regularly design larger bespoke buildings and can manage the Building Regulations process as part of the project.
Can I sleep in or live in my garden room?
Potentially, but the intended use needs to be considered from the beginning.
A normal garden office, gym or leisure room is treated differently from a building intended for sleeping or residential accommodation.
If sleeping accommodation is required, we can advise whether the most suitable solution is a conventionally constructed building with the appropriate planning and Building Regulations approvals, or a garden annexe designed to meet the legal definition of a caravan.
Please tell us how you intend to use the building during the design stage so that we can recommend the correct approach.
Give our team a call on 01480 277441 or e-mail hello@AMCgardenrooms.co.uk to see how we can help.
GARDEN ANNEXES, PLANNING & THE CARAVAN ACT
Garden annexes can be approached in more than one way.
Some are constructed as conventional buildings using the normal planning and Building Regulations process. Others are designed to meet the statutory definition of a caravan and are used as ancillary accommodation within the grounds of the main house.
Both are legitimate routes, and we can explain the options so you can choose the approach that best suits your requirements.
Do I need planning permission for a garden annexe?
Not necessarily.
There are two main routes that we commonly consider:
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A conventional annexe dealt with through the normal planning and Building Regulations process.
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An annexe designed to meet the statutory definition of a caravan and used within the curtilage of the main dwelling.
Where the caravan route is appropriate, a conventional planning application may not be required, although we will normally recommend applying for a Lawful Development Certificate to obtain formal confirmation from the local planning authority.
AMC can manage either route on your behalf.
What is the Caravan Act?
The term “Caravan Act” is commonly used to refer to legislation including the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 and the Caravan Sites Act 1968.
The legal definition of a caravan is much broader than the touring caravans most people associate with the word.
A qualifying caravan can be a substantial, fully fitted residential structure containing bedrooms, a kitchen, bathroom, living space, heating and all the normal facilities associated with a home.
It does not need to have wheels.
How large can a Caravan Act annexe be?
The statutory maximum dimensions for a qualifying caravan are:
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20 metres in length
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6.8 metres in width
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3.05 metres internal height, measured from the lowest floor level to the highest ceiling level
This means a Caravan Act annexe can provide considerably more accommodation than many people initially expect.
The structure can be built as a single unit or, where required, as a twin-unit caravan made from no more than two sections designed to be assembled together on site.
Does a Caravan Act annexe need wheels?
No.
A qualifying caravan does not need to have wheels or look like a conventional touring caravan.
The important requirement is that the completed structure remains physically capable of being moved from one place to another.
Depending on the design, size and access to the property, our annexes can be manufactured as complete or sectional units and can sometimes be delivered and positioned using specialist transport and crane equipment.
Can a Caravan Act annexe have a kitchen and bathroom?
Yes.
A Caravan Act annexe can be fully fitted for residential use.
Our annexes can include:
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fitted kitchens
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bathrooms
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shower rooms
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wet rooms
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bedrooms
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living areas
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heating and air conditioning
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hot and cold water
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drainage
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electrical installations
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fitted storage and furniture
The internal layout can be designed around the needs of the person who will be using the annexe.
Can someone live permanently in a garden annexe?
Yes, a garden annexe can provide full residential accommodation, but the planning use is important.
Where an annexe is located within the grounds of an existing home without separate planning permission as an independent dwelling, its use will normally need to remain ancillary to the main house.
In simple terms, it should remain part of the same overall household rather than becoming a completely separate property in its own right.
This makes garden annexes particularly suitable for elderly parents, adult children, other family members or guests who want private accommodation while remaining associated with the main household.
If you require a completely independent dwelling, we can discuss the conventional planning route with you instead.
What does “ancillary to the main house” mean?
There is no single layout or room arrangement that determines whether an annexe is ancillary.
The main consideration is how the annexe and the main house are actually used.
An ancillary annexe would normally remain part of the same residential property and household rather than functioning as a separate dwelling.
Having its own bedroom, kitchen and bathroom does not in itself prevent the annexe from being ancillary.
We can discuss your proposed use with you before recommending the most suitable route.
What is a Lawful Development Certificate?
A Lawful Development Certificate, commonly referred to as an LDC, is a formal decision from the local planning authority confirming that a proposed use or development is lawful for planning purposes.
Where we are proposing a garden annexe under the Caravan Act route, we will normally recommend applying for an LDC. This provides the homeowner with formal written confirmation from the local authority rather than simply relying on an opinion that planning permission is not required.
AMC can prepare the application, drawings and supporting information and deal with any questions raised by the planning authority during the application process.
Do Caravan Act annexes need Building Regulations approval?
Generally, no.
A structure that genuinely falls within the statutory definition of a caravan is not normally treated as a building for the purposes of the Building Regulations.
This is different from a building simply being exempt from Building Regulations. A qualifying caravan is normally outside the definition of a building to which the regulations apply.
We nevertheless construct our annexes to appropriate standards and follow relevant Building Regulations guidance where sensible, including the design and installation of drainage and other services.
If a project is being constructed as a conventional building rather than under the Caravan Act route, we can manage the full Building Regulations process on the customer's behalf.
What if I would prefer a normal planning application?
That's absolutely fine.
Some customers prefer a conventional planning and Building Regulations route, and in some circumstances that may be the preferred option.
We can produce the drawings and supporting information, submit the planning application, liaise with the local authority and manage the Building Regulations process through to completion.
A conventionally constructed annexe can be more expensive than the Caravan Act route because of the additional Building Regulations requirements, surveys, professional fees and specification involved. VAT would also normally apply, whereas a qualifying Caravan Act annexe may be supplied zero-rated subject to the relevant HMRC requirements.
We do not try to force every annexe into one particular route. We will explain the available options and you can decide which approach best suits your requirements.
Will AMC manage the planning and application process for me?
Yes.
We can provide a complete service including:
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initial advice on the available routes
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site survey
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drawings and site plans
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Lawful Development Certificate applications
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planning applications
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supporting statements and technical information
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liaison with planning officers
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Building Regulations applications and Building Control liaison where required
This means you do not need to navigate the planning system yourself. We can explain the options and manage the agreed process as part of your project.
INSTALLATION /
How are AMC garden rooms installed?
Where possible, a significant proportion of the building is manufactured and prepared in our workshop before installation begins on site.
Depending on the project, the building may then be assembled conventionally on site or delivered in larger pre-constructed sections using specialist lifting equipment.
This approach helps reduce the amount of work required in the customer's garden and allows us to maintain a high level of quality control during manufacture.
The exact installation method will depend on the building, access and site conditions.
How long does installation take?
Installation time varies considerably depending on the size and type of project.
A pre-constructed garden room delivered by crane can sometimes be installed in as little as one day.
A garden room constructed on site will typically take around 2–4 weeks, while larger garden annexes and more complex bespoke projects can take 8 weeks or longer.
We can provide an anticipated installation programme for your individual project before work begins.
What foundations do you use?
Ground screws are our most commonly used foundation system and are suitable for a wide range of garden room projects.
They allow us to create a strong, accurate foundation with relatively little excavation and disruption to the garden.
Where ground conditions are unsuitable for ground screws, we can use alternative foundation systems including concrete piles or, where appropriate, a concrete slab.
The most suitable foundation system will be determined as part of the site survey and design process.
Where do you install garden rooms?
We install garden rooms throughout East Anglia, the Midlands, London and the
South East of England. We install garden annexes anywhere in England and Wales.
Is there anything I need to do in advance of installation day?
Very little.
Before installation we will confirm any access requirements and discuss anything that needs to be prepared in advance.
We normally take care of the foundations and all works included within your quotation, so unless we have agreed otherwise, you do not need to prepare a base or carry out any construction work before we arrive.
If you have any other questions, then please feel free to contact our team
on 01480 277441 or hello@AMCgardenrooms.co.uk and we'd be happy to help.
