3 Reasons Garden Sheds Make Excellent Home Extension Alternatives

You want some extra space in your home, but an extension is out of the question. It’s far too costly and time-consuming – the average cost of a house extension is between £45,000 and £75,000 these days! Most homeowners can’t afford this or don’t want to splash that much cash, so what can you do to gain extra space without forking out on an extension? 

It might sound ridiculous at first, but a garden shed makes for an excellent home extension alternative. You probably never even considered this possibility – here are three killer reasons to give it a go: 

No Planning Permission

Did you know that most sheds in the UK won’t require planning permission to build? There are a few stipulations to be aware of, such as: 

• Your shed can’t cover more than 50% of the total area your property occupies
• Your shed can’t be at the front of your home
• Your shed’s height can’t exceed 2.5m

The list extends, and it’s worth reading about shed planning permissions just to be sure yours can dodge them. Though, to be honest, even if planning is required, it’s usually far easier to secure for a simple garden shed as you’re not altering part of the physical house itself. This also means it’s way easier to build the shed and use your new space in just a few days or weeks. 

Some Sheds Are Very Spacious

You’re inclined to believe that a garden shed won’t be very spacious. It may be an easy addition to your property, but will it provide the same amount of space as an extension? 

Well, many large sheds are more than big enough to become offices, gyms, studies or DIY activity rooms. You get more space than expected, turning this into an incredibly functional part of your home. It basically provides an additional living space, which may free up a room in your home or stop you from spending loads of money on a lengthy extension. 

More Flexibility When Moving

Someday, you might want to move house. When that day comes, a garden shed provides far more flexibility than an extension. You can’t take your extension anywhere – and while it might add value to your home, this doesn’t necessarily make it appealing for a quick sale. Some homebuyers shy away from extended properties because the extension makes the house look strange and ruins the aesthetic. 

With a shed, you can choose to leave it there and provide additional space for future buyers – or take it with you. Pack up the shed and rebuild it at your new home to gain more room there! 

When you think about it, garden sheds are fantastic alternatives to traditional extensions. Particularly if you’re struggling to get planning permission or simply can’t extend your home because you live in a terraced property. As long as there’s ample space in your back garden, you can add a shed of any size to expand your living space. It’s an excellent idea for many UK residents in built-up terraced areas – as well as those who want to avoid splashing the cash on a costly extension.