info@decoratedshed.com
0845 250 0028
Garden Studios FAQs
Here are a selection of frequently asked questions here at Decorated Shed, relating to most aspects of our garden building product range and development process. If you have a question that isn't mentioned on this page, please get in touch on 0845 250 0028.
FAQ Categories
Additional Services Build Time & Prices Getting Started Materials Buyers Guide Compare Market
Additional Services
Are your buildings alarmed?
We can provide additional security systems for all our buildings. As standard, however, all our opening windows have top quality stays and fittings, and the door systems are supplied with insurance-approved locks and hardware. Additionally, all doors and windows in our buildings have toughened glass for safety and security.
Can I have a Decorated Shed fitted with extra plugs, sockets etc?
We can fit all of the electrics at the factory, so we can fit speaker cables, plasma TV points, sockets and any extras that your building requires.
What are my options for internet access, phone and fax services?
The simplest way to get internet and phone access to your building is to use a wireless router. We provide a full service to manage the provision of telephone and network cabling, subject to a full site survey. We can advise on the best options to suit your requirements.
What window and door systems are installed in your buildings?
Our window and door systems are made by the leading manufacturers in Europe. The triple laminated frames and double glazed units are wind and water tight. The glass is Ultra Low - Energy with trickle vents to allow air to circulate. All doors and windows in our buildings have toughened glass for safety and security.
The DreamVu window styles come in two options, firstly top hung - which open upwards and side hung which open sideways. The all timber window has an attractive slim profile with flush sash design suitable for any dwelling type. The aluminium clad timber option is a traditional casement design, both window styles benefiting from the latest window engineering technology.
Build Time & Prices
Can you deliver into a tight access?
Yes. There are a number of delivery options where access is limited. Where the front and rear doors of your house are in-line, we can deliver small or large units, straight through the house doorways. Alternatively we can use a crane to lift the panels and building materials over the house. A full site survey at the planning stage will determine the best method of access for your building.
Do the prices include VAT?
Yes, our prices include VAT.
How big can my Decorated Shed be?
However big you want it. We can design, deliver and build whatever you need. There are no limitations to the size and style of your building. If your building is for large-scale community or residential use you may wish to visit our sister company’s website www.clearspacebuildings.co.uk www.clearspacebuildings.co.uk
How long do I have to wait?
From the design and planning stage through to completed building usually takes five 5 weeks, depending on whether you need planning permission. The average installation time, subject to site parameters and specification, is around 4 -8 days.
How long will it take to install the foundations and erect the garden building?
The foundations will take between 1-3 days. Depending on the size of your building, it will take between 5-8 days for construction of the building; this encompasses all fittings and finishes.
How much will my Decorated Shed building cost?
On average, our units start around £19,995. Our costs include VAT, the full build, foundations and connection to services. We carry out a full site survey prior to any price being quoted to a client, meaning that we're aware of every eventuality and cost that might occur during the build, and there are no surprises at any stage. In short, the price that you're quoted is the absolute final price that you'll pay.
Who will install the building?
Our fully trained, professional and time-served construction team will carry out the installation process with the minimum of time and fuss. When they have finished, your building is cleaned, the site is tidied, and we will hand you the keys.
Our team has been carefully selected, and combines many decades of hard-earned experience and knowledge. This means that our garden buildings are crafted, not simply produced, in a way that is evident in every curve, join, and surface.
We are proud that our team has a real pride in their work and the unique, beautiful buildings they create.
Getting Started
Can you come and see me?
Yes. Once you have signed off your initial building cost estimate, a home visit by a RICS surveyor will often answer all your questions and concerns and help in the selection of the right design. We charge an initial fee of £895.00 +VAT for a visit which is refundable on order. Our surveyor will also provide you with computer generated image (CGI) of your building showing it in situ in your garden.
Does Decorated Shed deliver and install in UK, Ireland and mainland Europe?
Yes. A delivery charge is included in the final quotation.
Does my Decorated Shed need planning permission?
In most cases, the answer is 'no'. However in around 20% of cases, such as if your Decorated Shed exceeds certain size limits or if its within a conservation area, planning permission may be required. You don't have to worry though - we will liaise with planners on your behalf if required however it is up to the property owner to check the status of the development rights. We are happy to tackle any planning permission issues that may arise but there are costs involved in this process.
How do I get a quotation?
Simply call 0845 250 0028 or email info@decoratedshed.com and simply tell us your requirements.
I would like to use one of your buildings as a home, is this possible?
Yes. The size of your Decorated Shed building is up to you, it can be as small as 3.07m x 3.07m to a 3 storey home. We can assist with any necessary planning permissions to assist in the creation of your new home.
Where do I locate my garden office?
There will be many suitable places in your garden to locate your garden office. Our experienced RICS surveyors will advise the best location and include issues such as site access and services. Our surveyor will also provide you with computer generated image (CGI) of your building showing it in situ in your garden.
Materials
Can I have a Sedum roof?
Yes. The roof system has been developed to achieve key requirements with regard to durability, water resistance, insular performance and solidity (u value). The modular and multi-layered sectional design is substantial at around 150mm and can be covered in recycled rubber, zinc, lead or even planted green roof system where design allows.
Can you install extra decking?
Yes, this is a feature which can be included and enhance the overall look. Such features will increase the cost but this can be factored into your original quote.
Does the unit come complete with flooring?
Yes, depending on model you have, we provide high quality laminate or vinyl floor coverings as part of our Full Service Build option, as well as offering expert advice on alternative flooring if you prefer another solution.
How do we know the quality of the Decorated Shed product?
We only produce the best, using quality materials ensuring you get the best product. We have the some of the best professionals involved in all stages of the process. Objectively read our testimonials from our customers.
Is my Decorated Shed better than an house extension?
A Decorated Shed garden building provides you with the flexibility of being detached from your main living space. This is excellent for work or relaxation within a solid and beautifully designed and engineered building. A Decorated Shed building costs less than a house extension and is completed in a fraction of the time. They are comparable and durable structures adding immediate and long-term value to your home.
What about lighting?
It is advisable to draw a plan of the layout of the furniture that you will have in your building, as this will help in deciding the best position for interior lighting. It is also a good idea to think about an outside light with a sensor. Lighting choices and options all depend on the intended usage.
What foundations does my Decorated Shed need?
Each building will need its own bespoke groundworks as conditions vary between sites. We will work with you to formulate a suitable solution for your individual build. Foundation work can depend on your local ground type, the use of the building (size and weight) and the overall ground makeup.
What's 'green' about my Decorated Shed?
Most aspects of a Decorated Shed building are environmentally-friendly. Sustainable (FSC) wood structures and cedar cladding, recyclable or recycled materials are used or even an organic sedum roof as well as high performance insulation, double glazing systems and highly efficient electrics and appliances. Our approach to the difficult issue of ethical and green trading is to be as performance-led as possible. What we mean by this is that our aim is to develop the best and most durable buildings possible. By ensuring this performance over the life-cycle of the building, we lock up or sequestrate the carbon in the timber used in the development. Also the longer the building lasts the longer the carbon is stored and is not in the atmosphere.
Where are your garden offices manufactured?
At Decorated Shed we manufacture all our own garden offices using the best quality materials. Our factory is near Alnwick in North East England. Our production process gives us total control and flexibility in the selection of materials used and how they are applied. Prefabricated modular panels are delivered flat packed from the factory to site, and in most situations can be carried through the house to be installed in the garden.
Will I be warm and dry?
The interiors of any Decorated Shed insulated garden buildings are warm, dry and condensation free all year round. Our building design process harnesses 'healthy home' and 'free breathing technology'. The buildings are vented to allow air to circulate freely and are insulated for year round habitation in any climate.
Will I have to treat and maintain the external cladding on my Decorated Shed?
Our Western Redwood Cedar doesn't require chemical treatment and is maintenance free. You can colour, stain or protect it if you wish, although this would require maintenance periodically, which we can advise on.
Buyers Guide
Why should I consider a garden office?
Garden buildings are a flexible solution in many situations. For those working from home, they provide a dedicated professional space where productivity can thrive, freeing up the house for other uses. For homeowners looking for more space, garden buildings represent a cost-effective, quick and hassle-free alternative to an extension, renovation or moving house.
It’s worth noting that a ‘home office’ has increasingly being added to the traditional house hunter lists of ‘must haves’ and According to research carried out in association with Homefinder UK, the presence of a home or garden office raised the value of properties up to £80,000. Better still, if you’re self-employed, the addition of a garden office to your home could literally pay for itself according to HM Revenue and Customs.
What should I look for when researching garden offices?
The first stage of any garden building investigation should always be identifying your particular need for the building, and assessing the available garden building options that can meet that need most effectively. Once you've created a shortlist of candidate garden buildings, you'll be in a position to actively compare them against each other.
How can I compare different garden offices?
Like most products, there is a vast difference between the quality and price of garden offices on offer at the top and bottom of the market, and as a result it is very difficult to make like-for-like comparisons. Garden buildings at the premium end of the scale have more in common with permanent dwellings, matching and sometimes exceeding their energy efficiency standards, and featuring a material and build quality that represents a first-rate investment. At the opposite end of the quality scale, garden buildings are little more than storage sheds that can't possibly offer the same level of performance. It is important to make this distinction when comparing garden buildings.
Quality
The quality of materials, design and workmanship should be actively considered in the selection process. While a high-end offering might seem expensive to begin with, especially when compared with lesser alternatives, the exceptional quality employed throughout will result in a longer-lasting and better performing building. In addition to this, a high quality garden building offers a far greater flexibility in applications, and can be used for a wider variety of activities over time.
Price
With such a massive difference in the overall quality of garden buildings on the market, there is inevitably a great deal of disparity in prices. Garden buildings should be judged against those in a generally similar price bracket, as this is a fairly accurate indication of the quality on offer. It is important to avoid using size as a sole factor in comparisons, as this doesn't demonstrate any significant similarities.
Is a garden office right for my garden?
The sizes of our garden buildings at Decorated Shed start at 2.4 x 3.6m, meaning that they can comfortably fit in even the most compact gardens. In larger gardens, a well proportioned and situated garden building creates a unique focal point, as well as a highly functional and usable space. With natural wood cladding, our garden buildings are designed with an organic and unobtrusive appearance that suits any garden style.
Why does insulation and energy efficiency matter in a garden office?
The issues of insulation and energy efficiency are highly important in any garden building that you are looking to spend any significant amount of time in, such as an office or studio. Without strong performing insulation the usage of a garden building is effectively limited to the warmer months. High performance energy efficiency also helps to lessen the environmental impact of the garden building and its functions, along with lowering running costs ongoing.
Compare Market
Can a DecoratedShed garden building ‘pay for itself’?
A quality garden building is an appreciable investment that can add value to your property. That aside, a Decorated Shed garden building brings a multitude of financial and lifestyle benefits. Looking at cost savings, if you begin working from your Decorated Shed instead of a leased office, you're immediately saving on both rent and travel costs - two outgoings that could comfortably pay for the cost of a Decorated Shed in a relatively short space of time. Even using a Decorated Shed for homeworking one or two days a week will result in a noticeable drop in transport costs.
Financial considerations aside, the time-saving aspect of a Decorated Shed garden building can be even more rewarding - no commuting time means more time at home which, we're sure you'll agree, is invaluable.
Will the costs spiral?
Decorated Shed’s costs include the full build, foundations and connection to services. We carry out a full site survey prior to any price being quoted, which means that we're aware of every eventuality and cost that might occur during the build. In short, the price that you're quoted is the absolute final price that you'll pay. This isn't the case with all premium garden building suppliers, where the overall costs can often exceed expectations.
It seems expensive, particularly compared to other garden buildings
It's a fact that not all garden buildings are born equal, and Decorated Shed designs reside firmly at the top-end of the market. As a result, it isn't a like-for-like assessment to compare our prices with those of vastly inferior products. Decorated Shed’s garden buildings are permanent, energy efficient structures with full services, built with premium materials, designed to last a lifetime and add appreciable value to your property - much in the same way that a house extension would. The same cannot be said of the vast majority of other garden buildings on the market.
When compared to similar high quality garden buildings in the executive end of the market, Decorated Shed's pricing structure represents outstanding value for money. We believe that we design and create the very best garden buildings currently available in the UK, and our prices are kept at a level markedly lower than those of our genuine competitors. In addition to this, we include the cost of additional works such as foundations and electrical preparation in our initial price, something that often isn't the case with competitors.
Might it be a hassle getting installed?
Our build and installation team is made up of time-served professionals who have a real pride in their work and the unique, beautiful buildings that they create. The site is kept orderly, uncluttered and tidy for the duration of the build, which typically takes less than five days. We always aim to make the process a completely hassle-free experience for the client from start to finish. Take a look at our client testimonials and build videos to find out how easily a Decorated Shed garden building can become part of your life.
There's not enough space in my garden
We've got designs that can fit into all sizes of garden, even the smallest. The most compact of our buildings - the Cube - has a footprint of just 3x4m, meaning that it can be sited in small gardens and still leave space for comfortable access.
Our in-house architect can design a bespoke solution or resize an existing design around your needs There isn't an outdoor space too small or unusual for a Decorated Shed garden building.
If you have a question that isn't mentioned, please get in touch on 0845 250 0028.
