"Incorporating a garden office can offer massive advantages for both current homeowners and prospective buyers, providing valuable extra space and potential financial benefits"
- Malcolm Webb - Legal and General Surveying Services
New analysis from Legal & General Surveying Services’ shows that the number of Google searches for 'garden offices' between August 1st 2023 and July 31st 2024 was 397,200, staying well above pre-pandemic levels.
Maximising existing garden areas
Terms such as ‘garden rooms’ and ‘summer house’ received 726,000 and 1,086,000 searches over the past year. The rise in hybrid working has prompted many homeowners to make better use of their existing garden space, but garden rooms are also being used for hobbies and as an extension of the home.
Added value of different garden office features
Research conducted by The Property Centre suggests homeowners have the potential to significantly increase the value of their property by constructing a garden office. The analysis found that the cost of building a garden office is nearly £9,000, and the potential to increase the home's value by 8.4% on average, equating to approximately £22,739 in the current market.
With insights like this, homeowners can confidently add to their property's value, while enjoying the added functionality of a dedicated workspace in their garden.
Malcolm Webb of Legal and General Surveying Services notes: “Garden offices and outhouses don’t just attract different types of buyers - they add value to homes in a number of ways. The addition of a garden office provides both sellers and buyers with a significant edge in standing out in a competitive market.
"In the wake of the pandemic, many companies adopted successful hybrid work models, increasing the demand for dedicated home office space. Garden offices meet this need, allowing homeowners to add vital space to their homes without removing valuable living areas inside.”
Key criteria for how much value a garden office can add
In most cases, a garden office will add value to your home, but there are a number of factors that will determine how much. It is important to carefully consider the size, design and quality of the structure. Major factors that will impact the final added value include:
Size of the space
The structure's size significantly impacts property value, with floor space being a key factor when valuing a property. However, planning permission will be required for anything that takes up more than 50% of the outdoor space or is too close to boundaries.
Quality
Smaller spaces that have been finished to a higher quality can certainly add more value than a larger structure constructed with lower-quality materials. It is also important to remember that your garden office must be fully insulated and liveable to count towards the property’s floor space.
The garden
Particularly with a smaller garden, it is important for the office not to overshadow the garden. In the same vein, you need to think about what you are losing in favour of the office. For example, are you giving up a shed, or somewhere to put outdoor equipment?
While this list is a helpful guide to understanding the added value and features of a garden office, Legal & General Surveying Services always recommends seeking advice from your local authority planning department to understand whether planning permission is needed for constructing an outbuilding. It would also be wise to contact your home and contents insurer to ensure that the value of any belongings is covered.
Webb added: “As more and more workers embrace hybrid work arrangements, homeowners are increasingly improving their properties to suit their evolving needs. An additional one-fifth of people are working in a garden office compared to a decade ago. This growing interest proves garden workspaces aren't just a passing phase; they have become a long-term lifestyle choice.
“Incorporating a garden office can offer massive advantages for both current homeowners and prospective buyers, providing valuable extra space and potential financial benefits. However, we always recommend seeking advice from your local authority to determine if planning permission is required to build a garden room.
"Steps like this are crucial for ensuring a more successful transition into flexible ways of working, which can play a massive part in increasing the value of a property.”
