Five questions to ask your garden room designer

Starting a garden room project from scratch can leave you asking a lot of questions... Will that hill get in the way? Who do I need to contact about planning permission? How can I make sure I’m making the most of the sunshine?  It’s your garden and your home so wanting to know the ins and outs is only natural. When working with a garden room designer, knowing the right questions to ask can make the difference between a good build and a great one. Communication is key so don’t be afraid to grill your designer to make sure you’re getting the perfect fit.

Need a little help getting started? We’ve compiled five great questions to ask your garden room designer when beginning a new project...

Do you take care of all the paperwork?

Developing a new garden room can be stressful without even considering all the paperwork that goes along with it. Make sure you find out what aspects of the paperwork your garden room designer is willing to deal with and what you need to organise yourself. At The Garden Escape we believe in providing a full service, taking care of everything from the planning permission to the drawings. This means that you don’t have to waste time worrying about paperwork and can spend it choosing the perfect decor instead. 

Are the team sub-contracted? Where are they travelling from?

Ensuring that the team is trustworthy and reliable is an important for your security. An efficient build relies on a team that has experience working together and with people. Communication amongst the builders and with you is essential, that’s why we use our own team from start to finish. Our builders don’t tread mud through the house or walk around swearing, they’ve got English and Law degrees! They’re interested in working alongside you to create the perfect project. Asking about a garden room designer’s location and project radius can give you some indication of how experienced they are working in a variety of environments. The Garden Escape is based in the beautiful countryside of Herefordshire and Coventry, we have experience developing projects for homes, businesses and schools all over the country.

My garden is an awkward shape and has some prominent features, will I have to make sacrifices?

A good garden room designer has fully bespoke designs that can be altered to fit gardens of all shapes and sizes. Slopes and hills are regular obstacles for the garden room designer but streams, boulders and even neighbours can all try to make things difficult. We’ve contended with big hills, ponds and the English Heritage to create garden rooms so ask your designer if they can create more than one plan to fit around any awkward features and discuss any aspects that might have to be sacrificed or altered. 

How long can I expect the project to take and will there be any additional hidden costs?

You only have to watch Grand Designs to see how building projects can be delayed. The glass is late, the planks are too short, it rains... Talk through all the possibilities with your garden room designer to get a realistic timeframe for your build. Pricing is always a big concern so make sure there are no hidden costs. Ask your garden room designer to consult you about any changes in the build, and their additional costs, before going ahead with them. 

Once the team has finished the build, do I get any help with aftercare or future concerns?

Your garden room is up and running but you’ve still got questions. Ask your garden room designer about their aftercare plans and how available they are to you post-build. At The Garden Escape we design our garden rooms to require little aftercare service and to develop naturally with their surroundings but anytime you have any queries or concerns, our expert team are at the end of a phone. 

Got any questions you want to ask us? Get in touch online or call us on 0800 917 7726.