Questions and answers

In many cases, garden buildings fall under Permitted Development rights in England and Wales and do not require full planning permission, provided they meet certain conditions — including maximum height, footprint relative to the plot, and distance from boundaries.

However, rules vary depending on your location, whether your property is listed, or if you are in a conservation area. Your local council is the planning authority, and we always recommend checking with them before ordering.

We offer a full architectural and planning service and are happy to make these enquiries with the council on your behalf.

Under current Permitted Development rules, a single-storey outbuilding in a rear or side garden may not exceed 2.5m in height if positioned within 2m of a boundary, or 4m (apex roof) / 3m (other roofs) if positioned further away.

The total footprint of all outbuildings must not cover more than 50% of the curtilage surrounding the original house.

These rules do not apply in National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), or on listed properties. They are national rules, but your local council interprets them, so a quick call to the planning department is always worth it. Building close to a shared boundary can also bring the Party Wall Act into play.

A log cabin supplied as a garden building is not typically approved for permanent residential use without specific planning consent. If you intend to use your building as habitable accommodation, you will need to apply to your local planning authority and ensure the structure meets Building Regulations standards for thermal performance, fire safety, and structural integrity.

We can advise on specification upgrades to support such applications.

Most garden buildings under 15 square metres do not require Building Regulations approval. Buildings between 15 and 30 square metres may be exempt provided they are sited at least one metre from any boundary and are not used for sleeping accommodation. Larger or habitable structures will require formal approval.

We recommend seeking independent advice from a Building Control officer if in any doubt.

Permitted Development rights are significantly restricted or removed entirely in conservation areas, National Parks, AONBs, and for listed buildings. In these cases, you will almost certainly need to apply for planning permission before installation.

We recommend consulting your local planning authority at the earliest opportunity. We can provide detailed product specifications and drawings to support a planning application.

Yes. Planning and building regulations are devolved matters, and the rules in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland differ in various respects from those in England. If your property is outside England, we strongly recommend consulting your relevant national or local planning authority before proceeding.

Every quote includes delivery to the agreed address, anywhere in the United Kingdom — England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, islands included — with no separate delivery charge added afterwards. The Isle of Man, the Channel Islands and addresses in Europe are quoted the same way, for the address you give us. If you are not sure, ask us.

Lead times typically range from 2 to 6 weeks from order confirmation, depending on the building size and any customisation required. We will confirm your delivery window at the point of order and keep you updated throughout the process.

We offer both options. Our standard supply-only buildings come as precision-machined flat-pack kits with full assembly instructions and all fixings included. Most customers find assembly straightforward with two or more people over a weekend.

We can also help organise the build itself, assembly included. That is arranged on request and agreed case by case rather than sold as a fixed package — see Services :: Managed Builds.

A solid, level base is essential for the long-term performance and warranty of your building. Suitable bases include a concrete slab, concrete block piers, or compacted hardcore with paving slabs. The base must be level to within 5mm across its entire area. We can provide detailed guidance on base specifications. Groundworks are the customer's responsibility; if you would like us to help arrange them, ask and we will quote for that separately.

We provide written base specification guidance for every building, and we are happy to answer questions through our contacts page before you start groundworks. Preparing the site itself is yours to arrange. If you would like us to help organise that side of the project, ask — it is agreed case by case and quoted separately.

Delivery is made by haulage vehicle, and buildings are typically palletised or bundled for transport. We ask that someone is available to accept and check the delivery, and that suitable access and unloading space is available. Our delivery team will contact you in advance to confirm the delivery slot and any access requirements.

A well-maintained log cabin can last 25 years or more — many Scandinavian-style timber buildings have stood for several decades. Longevity depends on timber quality, base preparation, the standard of initial treatment, and ongoing maintenance.

Yes. We strongly recommend treating all timber with a high-quality exterior wood preservative before assembly, and then applying a top coat finish once the building is installed. This seals the wood, protects against UV degradation, moisture ingress, and biological attack.

We supply a range of approved treatments and can advise on the most appropriate product for your building and local climate.

As a general guide, we recommend inspecting your building annually and re-treating the exterior every 1 to 3 years, depending on the product used, local weather exposure, and whether the building is in direct sunlight or partial shade. Roofing felt should be inspected annually and replaced every 5 to 10 years as required.

Routine maintenance includes: keeping gutters and drainage clear; inspecting the roof covering annually; checking that the base remains level and free from standing water; ensuring no vegetation is in direct contact with the timber walls; and re-treating the timber on the schedule above.

In an insulated, heated building, also keep an eye on condensation — trickle vents or an extractor in a shower room or kitchen area deal with most of it.

Well-maintained buildings require minimal intervention and will perform reliably for many years.

Yes. Our buildings can be finished in a wide range of exterior timber stains and paints. We recommend using products specifically formulated for exterior softwood to ensure durability and to maintain any applicable warranty.

We can supply a range of colours and advise on application. We always apply a timber stabilising product to our cabins as they are erected, this is clear and leaves the cabin protected. It is then possible to apply a colour according to your requirements.

Timber is a natural material and some surface cracking (known as checking or shaking) is normal and expected as the wood acclimatises to its environment. This does not affect structural integrity. Deeper splits that compromise the building's weather resistance should be reported through our contacts page, with photographs, and we will advise on the appropriate remedial action.

Send us your requirements through our contacts page and we will come back with a specification and a price. There is no checkout here — every building is made to your own plan, so the cost depends on the drawing, and nothing is ordered until you have that quote in front of you. For a bespoke or larger project we will want to talk the specification through with you before you commit.

We accept payment by bank transfer and major online payment platforms. A deposit is required at the point of order, with the balance due prior to dispatch. Full payment terms are provided at checkout and confirmed in your order confirmation.

We are currently exploring finance options for larger orders. Please contact us to discuss your requirements and we will advise on what may be available at the time of your enquiry.

As our buildings are made to order, cancellations after the production window has opened may result in a restocking or cancellation fee. Standard consumer rights apply for any goods that arrive faulty or not as described. Please refer to our full Terms and Conditions for details, or contact us if you have any concerns before placing an order.

Yes. We offer trade accounts and volume pricing for developers, landscapers, architects, and other trade customers. Please contact us directly to discuss your requirements and we will arrange an appropriate pricing structure.

Our buildings come with a 10-year structural warranty against manufacturing defects, subject to the base being correctly prepared and the timber being treated and maintained in accordance with our guidelines. This warranty does not cover fair wear and tear, storm damage, or damage resulting from neglect or improper use.

Please tell us as soon as possible through our contacts page, with photographs and a description of the issue. Where a defect is confirmed under warranty, we will arrange for replacement parts or remedial assistance at no cost to you. We aim to respond to all warranty enquiries within two working days.

Yes. Every kit ships with full written assembly instructions and all the fixings you need. If something is unclear, send us a message through our contacts page — a photo of the stage you have reached usually settles it fastest, and we will reply by email.

Yes. We hold stocks of common components including door and window hardware, fixings, and roofing materials. For structural timber components, availability depends on the building model. Please contact us with your order reference and we will advise on availability and lead times.

Yes. Most home and garden insurance policies will cover log cabins and wooden outbuildings as permanent garden structures, subject to their terms. You should notify your insurer when adding a new outbuilding, as it may increase the rebuild value of your property. Some insurers require minimum security standards — such as five-lever mortice locks — as a condition of cover. If the building is used for business, check whether you need separate business cover.

Our buildings are supplied with standard door locks as standard. We also offer upgraded security options including heavy-duty padbar sets, five-lever mortice locks, and reinforced door and window fittings. For garden office use in particular, we recommend fitting a suitable alarm and considering additional physical security measures.

Yes — garden offices are one of our most popular applications. An insulated garden room gives you a comfortable working environment year-round, and many customers add electrical supply, internet connectivity and climate control.

Two things worth knowing: a garden office used purely for work does not normally change your council tax, but if part of your property is used exclusively for business you may become liable for business rates — your local council can confirm.

We can advise on the specification most suitable for office use, including log thickness, window sizing, and ventilation.