Outbuildings

If you have room on your property, then a standalone structure could be the most practical approach to adding space to your property. 

With the renewed popularity of working from home, you might be looking for an office space away from the rest of the house. Perhaps you’re after a private gym or covered exercise area, an annex for entertaining guests, or it could be that you’re simply after additional storage space. 

If you have the room, then a standalone structure on your property can open the door to these and many other ventures.

Separate but together

As with additions to the exterior of your house, your outbuilding should be designed so as to complement the overall look and feel of your home. If your new structure doesn’t fit with the overall development, it could detract from the appeal and resale value of your home.

Occasional or regular use?

Know what purpose you want the outbuilding to serve as this defines the cost and time taken for construction. Does it need an independent plumbing system for example? Does it need its own heating and ventilation? There are many considerations when it comes to ensuring the building is comfortable all-year-round.

Will you need planning permission?

Building a free-standing structure on your property may be possible without planning permission and regulatory approval, subject to certain conditions.

For example, less than half the area of land around the original house is allowed to be covered by additions. These must be single storey with eaves no higher than 2.5 metres and an overall roof height of three metres, or four metres with a dual-pitched roof.

Designs must fall within two metres of a boundary of the curtilage of the home, and outbuildings may not be built on land beyond a wall forming the principal elevation.

Consider the materials carefully

Think about the materials you’d like to use for your outbuilding. A traditional wooden structure will require greater care and maintenance than others built using steel or plastics, and less likely to retain its original appearance for as long.

Separate but together

As with additions to the exterior of your house, your outbuilding should be designed so as to complement the overall look and feel of your home. If your new structure doesn’t fit with the overall development, it could detract from the appeal and resale value of your home.

Occasional or regular use?

Know what purpose you want the outbuilding to serve as this defines the cost and time taken for construction. Does it need an independent plumbing system for example? Does it need its own heating and ventilation? There are many considerations when it comes to ensuring the building is comfortable all-year-round.

Will you need planning permission?

Building a free-standing structure on your property may be possible without planning permission and regulatory approval, subject to certain conditions.

For example, less than half the area of land around the original house is allowed to be covered by additions. These must be single storey with eaves no higher than 2.5 metres and an overall roof height of three metres, or four metres with a dual-pitched roof.

Designs must fall within two metres of a boundary of the curtilage of the home, and outbuildings may not be built on land beyond a wall forming the principal elevation.

Consider the materials carefully

Think about the materials you’d like to use for your outbuilding. A traditional wooden structure will require greater care and maintenance than others built using steel or plastics, and less likely to retain its original appearance for as long.