Today we ask Aarco Exclusive Timber Buildings questions about buying their garden offices:
What is your most popular garden office design?
There are three of our own office designs that get asked about more than any others. However all must create a good environment for working at a desk. Most clients want comfort with the best insulation, natural light and plumbing if their budget will allow. Storage is important and pitched roofs make more available usable space for the footprint taken up. Recently we have fitted more controllable from the main property for lighting heating and communications.
Why does your design make the perfect garden office, how have you made it user friendly?
As all our offices are different in some way it is how the design meets the client requirement and budget. The features, which enable our clients to spend comfortable time in their offices, are vital. Comfort provided by the best insulation system. Functionality provided by good lighting, power and again plumbing provides convenience and comfort. What makes the perfect design is listening to our clients.
How do your garden offices comply with Planning Permission?
Some are built to comply with “permitted development rules” and some go forward to planning for approval.
Every situation is different and there is no standard solution for a Garden Office design.
The best solution is provided by a design that suits the landscape, does not cause issues with neighbours, makes best use of space and provides the functionality needed by the client within their budget.
Everyone wants to know the answer more than 3000 people visited our web page on this subject so far this year – it is really important to understand what can be achieved.
What size garden office do you recommend for one worker to work comfortably?
There is no answer to this as everyone has a different space requirement, 5 square metres would be workable but a bit claustrophobic. We are very proud of our achievement in providing comfortable space for two busy people in a tight spot down the side of a London house taking up 12 square metres in a narrowing yard.
And for two workers what size garden office do you suggest?
Fifteen square metres is usually more than adequate for two and probably represents the most popular
Are the foundations included in the price, if so what type?
Foundations are always included in our project quotations. The foundation design is recommended individually for each site. Concrete is best in some cases and frame bases on piles are best in others. We also build using stilt foundations on sloping sites. The recommendation is always based on:
Site access, Ground slope, and existing conditions of the site e.g. We might be replacing an existing structure or the new building may need to be close to ground level or requiring excavation etc.
As our buildings are designed to last forever the foundation should be solid and dry and should not have any detrimental visual or usability impact.
Are your garden offices suitable for year round use? What type of insulation do you use? How thick are your walls?
All our offices are all year round. We use rigid urethane insulation. Our walls vary in thickness according to the construction design.
What is the exterior cladding on your garden offices?
We use all types of cladding as specified with the client. Cladding the building is a small part of the complete project however it has a major impact on cost, required maintenance and visual impact.
What is the roof covering?
We use mainly bitumen shingle tile for pitched roofs (a 30 year product half way between shed felt and traditional tiles or slates). On flat roofs we use only epdm (rubber membrane).
Other roofing products we use are cedar shingles and of course traditional slate or tile.
What is the interior lining and floor covering?
For floors we use 18mm wbp ply and traditional floorboards. A range of coverings is used if required vinyl, carpet, laminate etc.
How many electrical sockets do you include as standard?
As we nearly always install the complete electrical system sockets are fitted every where the client wants including outside usually.
What sort of lighting do you use in your offices, why have you chosen this type?
Again this is a client choice. Spotlights are popular but strip lights are more efficient.
Do you include heating in your garden office as standard, if so what type?
Thermostatic controlled electric radiators or underfloor heating systems.
Broadband and telephone are important in a garden office, how do buyers get these to the office?
We normally do this for our clients. using cable, wireless or through the main property electrical connection
What optional extras would you recommend to create the perfect office setup?
Toilet and kitchenette are our most popular extras by far.
What is the lead time on your garden offices?
Usually 4-6 weeks
What is the typical on site build time?
Foundations usually 1 day or less
Structure 2-4 days
Electrical 1 day including house connection
Plumbing 1 day
How much does a typical one person office cost?
8K£ to 15K£ depending on spec
How much does a typical two person office cost?
10K£ to 20K£ depending on spec
Are there any hidden extras? (planning fees, electrical hookup etc)
Our quotations for building works are complete for the agreed project with no hidden extras at all.
If we handle planning applications there is a charge usually £300 – £500
What is the lifespan of your garden offices, is there any ongoing maintenance?
The lifespan of our offices is indeterminate. They should be there forever.
Maintenance is required to paintwork and plumbing as one would normally associate with any building.
What guarantees come with the office, are they free?
We give a five year guarantee on all our work.
If you could give a buyer one piece of advice about buying a garden office, what would it be?
Get a site visit done by an experienced Garden Office builder then go to see a previous client of your chosen supplier.
Like what you read? Give Aarco a call on 01244 679502 or visit their website www.aarco.co.uk
