Expand your living space into your garden with A.P.T. Builders outbuilding and garden room services. With over 18 years of experience serving Ashford and Kent, we design and construct high quality garden buildings perfect for home offices, gyms, studios, guest accommodation, or entertainment spaces. From contemporary insulated garden rooms to traditional brick outbuildings and self contained annexes, we create beautiful, functional spaces that enhance your property and lifestyle.
Creating garden buildings requires expertise across foundations, structural work, roofing, insulation, electrical installation, plumbing, and interior finishing. We manage every aspect of your project, from initial design and planning applications through construction to final decoration. Our garden rooms and outbuildings are built to last, with proper foundations, high quality materials, full insulation, and professional finishes creating comfortable year round spaces that add significant value to Kent properties.
Insulated workspaces with electrics, heating, and internet connectivity for comfortable remote working.
Multi-purpose living spaces for entertaining, relaxation, or additional family accommodation.
Dedicated fitness spaces with proper ventilation, lighting, and durable floor finishes.
Creative spaces for artists, musicians, crafters, or hobbyists with specialized requirements.
Self contained accommodation with bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchenettes for guests or family.
Bar rooms, games rooms, or cinema rooms creating dedicated entertainment spaces.
Modern garden rooms offer stylish, comfortable spaces separate from your main house, perfect for home offices, gyms, studios, or entertainment areas. Built with timber or composite cladding, large glazed areas, and contemporary designs, they create bright, inspiring environments. High performance insulation and heating systems ensure year round comfort, while quality finishes match interior home standards. Most garden rooms under 2.5m high don't require planning permission, making them quick and straightforward to install.
Modern designs with clean lines, composite cladding, and large bi-fold or sliding doors.
Classic timber-clad buildings with pitched roofs complementing period properties beautifully.
Minimalist cubic structures with flat roofs creating striking architectural statements.
Smaller focused spaces perfect for art studios, music rooms, or creative workspaces.
Modern timber frame construction with composite or timber cladding, offering quick installation, excellent insulation, and contemporary aesthetics perfect for garden offices.
Ideal for: Garden offices, studios, entertainment rooms
Traditional brick or block construction creating permanent structures matching existing properties, perfect for guest annexes, garages, or substantial outbuildings.
Ideal for: Annexes, garages, substantial buildings
Solid timber log cabins with thermal upgrades creating characterful garden buildings, popular for summer houses, workshops, or traditional garden retreats.
Ideal for: Summer houses, workshops, retreats
Modern composite-clad structures requiring minimal maintenance, featuring contemporary designs with excellent thermal performance and weather resistance.
Ideal for: Modern properties, low maintenance needs
Professional installations incorporating quality materials and expert craftsmanship:
Concrete foundations or reinforced bases providing stable, level platforms for long-term durability.
High-performance wall, floor, and roof insulation creating comfortable year-round workspaces.
Energy-efficient windows and doors with proper seals maintaining comfortable internal temperatures.
Electric radiators, underfloor heating, or air conditioning maintaining perfect working conditions.
Full electrical installation with lighting, power outlets, heating, and data points throughout.
Professional plastering, decoration, and flooring creating comfortable interior environments.
Quality locks, security glazing, and alarm preparation protecting valuable equipment.
High-quality roofing systems with proper waterproofing ensuring dry, protected interiors.
We discuss your requirements, assess your garden, and create bespoke designs for your space
Advising on Permitted Development and handling planning applications if required for larger buildings
Comprehensive written quote including all materials, labor, electrics, and realistic timescales
Professional base preparation and concrete foundations ensuring stable, level structures
Expert building work including structure, roofing, glazing, insulation, and weatherproofing
Interior finishing, electrical testing, decoration, and complete handover with instructions
Most garden buildings fall within Permitted Development rights requiring no planning permission if they meet certain criteria: maximum 2.5m high with flat roofs (4m for pitched), no higher than existing house, and positioned away from boundaries. Larger buildings, those with sleeping accommodation, or buildings in conservation areas typically require planning permission. Building Regulations apply to buildings with sleeping accommodation or those over 30 square meters with substantial glazing. We provide expert guidance on all requirements.
For over 18 years, A.P.T. Builders has been creating high-quality garden buildings throughout Kent, helping homeowners maximize their outdoor space with versatile, comfortable structures. We understand that garden rooms and outbuildings offer exceptional value, creating additional functional space without the disruption and expense of home extensions. Our expertise spans contemporary garden offices, traditional brick outbuildings, insulated studios, and self-contained guest annexes.
Every building we create is properly constructed with professional foundations, quality materials, full insulation, and expert finishing throughout. We manage all aspects of your project—from initial design and planning applications through construction work to final decoration and electrical testing. Our experienced team ensures your garden building is completed on time, to budget, and to our exacting quality standards, creating comfortable year-round spaces you'll love using.
We proudly serve all areas of Kent including Ashford, Maidstone, Canterbury, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Dartford, Gravesend, Chatham, Gillingham, Rochester, Sittingbourne, Faversham, Dover, Folkestone, Margate, Ramsgate, and surrounding villages. Our local knowledge means we understand Kent's planning requirements, garden characteristics, and building opportunities specific to different property types throughout the county.
Custom-designed buildings perfectly suited to your requirements, garden, and property style.
Extensive expertise creating garden buildings and outbuildings across all Kent property types.
Professional building work using quality materials ensuring durable, long-lasting structures.
High-performance insulation creating comfortable year-round spaces with low running costs.
Expert guidance on Permitted Development and planning applications for all building sizes.
We handle everything from foundations and structure through electrics to final decoration.
Detailed written quotations with realistic timescales and no hidden costs or surprises.
Comprehensive warranties on all structural work, materials, and finishes for peace of mind.
Most garden rooms fall under Permitted Development and don't require planning permission, provided they meet certain criteria: maximum 2.5m high with a flat roof (or 4m with a pitched roof), no higher than the main house, positioned behind the front of the house, and covering no more than 50% of your garden. Buildings in conservation areas or near Listed Buildings may have additional restrictions. We advise on all planning requirements during your consultation.
Garden room costs depend on size, specification, and complexity. As a guide, basic insulated garden offices start from around £15,000-£20,000 for smaller structures. Mid-range garden rooms with quality finishes typically cost £20,000-£35,000, while premium specifications with bathrooms, kitchenettes, or bespoke designs can range from £35,000-£60,000+. We provide detailed written quotes based on your specific requirements.
Yes, our garden rooms are built for year-round use with full insulation in walls, floor, and roof, double-glazed windows and doors, and electric heating systems. We install high-performance insulation exceeding Building Regulations standards, ensuring comfortable temperatures in both winter and summer with minimal running costs. Air conditioning can also be added for warmer months.
Construction typically takes 2-4 weeks depending on size and complexity. This includes groundwork and foundations (3-5 days), structure and roofing (1-2 weeks), and internal finishing including electrics and decoration (1-2 weeks). Larger or more complex builds with plumbing, such as garden annexes, may take longer. We provide realistic timescales in our quotations.
Yes, quality garden rooms typically add value to Kent properties, particularly those designed as home offices or additional living space. The value increase depends on quality of construction, specification, and how the space is used. Purpose-built garden offices have become especially desirable since remote working became more common. A well-built garden room can return 50-100% of its cost in added property value.
Yes, we install complete electrical systems including lighting, heating, power outlets, and data connections. Plumbing for kitchenettes, bathrooms, or wet rooms is also possible for guest annexes and studio spaces. We handle all necessary connections from your main house.
All our garden rooms are built on proper foundations for stability and longevity. Options include concrete slab foundations for permanent structures, concrete pad foundations for timber-framed buildings, or screw pile foundations for minimal ground disturbance. The right foundation depends on ground conditions, building size, and your preferences. We assess your site and recommend the most suitable solution.
Get your free consultation and detailed quotation from Kent's garden building specialists