Newly released data from Churchill Home Insurance has calculated that this equates to over one every hour or 25 per day. This was a fall of just 11% compared to two years previously and highlights how popular these structures are, as this timeframe includes the first lockdown period when building work ground to a halt.
The impact of another national lockdown, with many more people working from home, and children once again needing to be homeschooled, may explain why one in 18 households (6%) hope to create a garden annexe in their home this year.
With the average annexe costing just under £7,000 to convert or build, homeowners could see a significant return on investment, both in terms of space and value. Separate research by the insurer found they can add as much as £91,000 onto the price of a property, as well as around 20% to the overall square footage. Based on an analysis of average property prices and floor space, this means that a garden annexe is worth approximately £2,360 per square metre.
Half of those that already have an annexe, or are currently planning to build one, say that the pandemic and lockdown restrictions have had an impact on their plans for this. The main three reasons were due to people wanting other family members to move in to help with childcare (17%), needing a space for homeschooling (16%) or because they wanted other family members to move in to become part of the same household (16%).
Annexes can be used for multiple purposes, another reason why they are so popular with families. While the main uses are as breakout spaces (28%) and living areas for children (16%) and parents (15%), they are also used as a leisure space (13 per cent) such as a bar, and a living area for grandparents (10%).
Pritpal Powar, Head of Churchill home insurance, said: “We expect more from our homes now than ever before. As well as places to relax, they are offices, businesses, schools and gyms. These structures are often relatively cost-effective and can quickly add both space and value to a property, so it is no wonder so many of us are looking at how we can create more space without spending huge amounts of money on building extensions or moving.
“Anyone considering constructing or converting a garden annexe needs to inform their insurer that work is taking place and consider the additional building and contents that they may need on their policy once the work is complete.”
In the last year, planning applications for new garden annexes were more successful than applications for converted ones, with three quarters (75%) of new annexe applications approved by councils, compared to 67 per cent of conversions. Nearly four-fifths (79%) of all planning applications for annexes to UK councils in 2019/20 were for new constructions, with the remaining 21 per cent for conversions.
