Sun Room - planning permission needed?

lauraj27

Hi, 

During lockdown we have discovered that the house is somewhat too small, but moving isn't really option. 

I was looking on Homebase for some things for the garden and they seem to sell what appears to be reasonably priced sun rooms (https://www.homebase.co.uk/palram-canopia-sun-room-8x10-clear/12811091.html) and I just wondered if anyone knew whether we'd need planning permission if we decided to buy one and/or if anyone has any experience with these, in particular how easy / difficult they are to install. 

Thanks. 

Doozergirl

https://www.homebase.co.uk/palram-canopia-sun-room-8x10-clear/12811091.html

Provided permitted development rights haven't been removed from your house, then no permission is needed. 

But that is really just a greenhouse.  For that price, despite what they say, it isn't going to stop solar gain in the summer and definitely won't stop thermal losses in the winter.  It'll be a sweat box in summer and an ice box in winter. 

I've seen pergolas that cost more than that.  

lauraj27

Thank you - we haven't committed on decided on anything - it initially seemed like a good option and the area where it would go if we went ahead is quite a shaded area so it might not be a sweat box in the summer but likely to be very cold instead! 

Just looking for ways to get a a bit more floor space that don't cost a fortune. 

We have toyed with having a garden office but once you add on insulation, possibly heating and electrics the costs skyrocket. 

FreeBear

lauraj27 said: We have toyed with having a garden office but once you add on insulation, possibly heating and electrics the costs skyrocket. 

You'll have the same issue with a sun room - By the time you have prepared a suitable base (insulated), added a few lights & sockets, you'll have easily spent £2K or more. You would not be able to plumb the sun room in to the house central heating, so you'd be stuck with electric (expensive to run).

lauraj27

Thank you - log cabins / garden outbuildings that I have seen have started at about £2K, ones that are fully insulated and would be installed seem to start at around £7K and that is without electrics and additional heating. 

If anyone can point me in the direction of cheaper alternatives that would be greatly appreciated. 

Doozergirl

That is cheap... 

You could DIY a garden room with patience.  Much of the cost is labour, but I'd still expect it to come in a few grand, easy.  There are people selling plans on the interweb.  

stuart45

A lot depends on what you want to use the room for, and your expectations for it. I've built a few sunrooms for people (the masonry part, chippies for the rest), but they were on large houses. In these cases space wasn't an issue and the room was for occasional use when conditions were right, and a convenient place for growing a few plants with easy access to the house for watering.
When a room is to add extra living space for all year round usage, the cheapest options are not going to be the best.

stuart45

This one ProDave did is a nice example, but you would have to ask him what it cost.
A garden room.cabin instead of a connie? - Page 2 — MoneySavingExpert Forum

lauraj27

Doozergirl said:

That is cheap... 

You could DIY a garden room with patience.  Much of the cost is labour, but I'd still expect it to come in a few grand, easy.  There are people selling plans on the interweb.  

Thank you - unfortunately DIY is not my strongest ability and whilst my partner has some competency I think this would be beyond him. 

stuart45 said:

A lot depends on what you want to use the room for, and your expectations for it. I've built a few sunrooms for people (the masonry part, chippies for the rest), but they were on large houses. In these cases space wasn't an issue and the room was for occasional use when conditions were right, and a convenient place for growing a few plants with easy access to the house for watering.
When a room is to add extra living space for all year round usage, the cheapest options are not going to be the best.

I was thinking to use it as breakfast room and/or possibly an office. I was just thinking of trying to add something that wouldn't require planning permission or spend £10K plus on building an outbuilding such as a lodge /log cabin. 

stuart45 said:

This one ProDave did is a nice example, but you would have to ask him what it cost.
A garden room.cabin instead of a connie? - Page 2 — MoneySavingExpert Forum

Thanks for this.  

FreeBear

lauraj27 said: I was thinking to use it as breakfast room and/or possibly an office. I was just thinking of trying to add something that wouldn't require planning permission or spend £10K plus on building an outbuilding such as a lodge /log cabin. 

If you want something worthwhile and that will last, I'm afraid you are looking at spending that £10K+. Done well, it will add value to your property.

Rosa_Damascena

Do it once, and do it properly. If that means saving for an extension then at least you have something to aim for.