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Is it worth buying a cheap garden room?

Learn whether buying a cheap garden room over premium alternatives is worth it, and what to consider when choosing a garden room installer.

Updated 4 min readBy the Noah team

Pressure-treated timber Noah garden building with white glazed French doors

The short version

  • Cheap garden rooms are built using low-cost materials which fall apart and become damaged easily.
  • At Noah Garden Rooms we tanalise our timber to make it resistant to fungus, insects and rot.
  • Reputable suppliers provide a warranty, like our 10-year structural guarantee on the main structural framework.
  • Choosing the cheapest option usually means the structure won’t be insulated, which makes it draughty when it gets cold.
  • Two quotes are only comparable when they describe the same building, so get each line in writing.

So you want a garden room but you’re not sure if it’s worth paying the middle to top end of the price range? With so many cheap garden rooms out there, it might be tempting not to splash the cash and choose a low budget option instead. However, here are our top reasons why buying cheaper is always a false economy.

Quality of Materials

Cheap garden rooms are built using low-cost materials which fall apart and become damaged easily. The cheaper wood used for these garden rooms is less resistant to the weather too, and can start to deteriorate quite quickly once exposed to the elements. That means you’ll have to replace or repair your garden room more frequently than if you’d chosen a better quality option, which will cost a lot more in the long run.

When you don’t scrimp on a garden room, you’re paying for higher quality timber which can last for over ten years if properly cared for. At Noah Garden Rooms we tanalise our timber to increase the lifespan of the wood by making it resistant to fungus, insects and rot.

Warranty

When you purchase a good quality garden room, you also get confidence. Reputable garden room suppliers will provide a warranty with their buildings, like our 10-year structural guarantee on the main structural framework.

This means you don’t have to worry about your garden room falling apart and can enjoy it year after year.

Insulation

Do you want to use your garden room all year round, even during the cold winter months? Choosing the cheapest option usually means the structure won’t be insulated which will make it draughty and unpleasant to use when it gets cold. Of course you’ll have the option to insulate it yourself, but this will be at an additional cost.

With mid-range garden rooms, insulation is often included in the build so you won’t have to worry about your garden room getting cold.

Better Look

If you’ve spent time decorating your home and making your garden look nice, the last thing you want to do is stick an unsightly structure in the middle of the garden. That’s why we give our customers the option to design their own garden rooms. You can customise all of our timber designs to suit your style with a choice of colours and over 30 internal and external upgrades to choose from.

Add value to your house

The installation of a garden room can increase the value of your home and make it more appealing to prospective buyers. In fact, a garden room can add value to your property when you come to sell, and this is another reason to opt for a good quality room.

More home buyers are looking for properties with additional space to use as home offices, guest accommodation or entertainment rooms. Why not wow them with a luxurious garden room that can be used all year round?

Browse our entire range of garden rooms or even design your own by speaking to our expert team.

How to compare garden room quotes like for like

Two quotes are only comparable when they describe the same building. Put them side by side and get each of these in writing.

CheckWhat to ask
SizeExternal dimensions, and the internal height once the floor and ceiling are in
Frame and claddingTimber sizes and spacing; cladding material, thickness and treatment
InsulationType and thickness, and whether it is in the walls, roof and floor
Glazing and doorsEnergy rating, frame material and locks
ElectricsIncluded or extra, what the pack contains, and who connects it to your house
BaseIncluded, optional or yours to provide, and what type
Delivery and installationIncluded or extra, who does the work, and any access charges
GuaranteeLength, what it covers and the conditions
VATIncluded in the price or added at the end
ReviewsRecent, independent reviews of finished buildings, not only of the sales process
What to check on every garden room quote

If a quote leaves a line blank, ask rather than assume. Once the specifications match, you are comparing like for like, and our best price guarantee applies: we will match or beat a written like-for-like quote. Terms apply. Our configurator makes the matching easier, because every option shows its own price as you choose it. We are rated 4.6, Excellent, on Trustpilot, and you can read our customer reviews.

Warning signs on a quote

  • A price with no written specification, only a picture and a total.
  • VAT, delivery or installation added at the end, or missing altogether.
  • Insulation described in a single word, with no type, thickness or location.
  • A base left to be confirmed, with no written standard for what it must be.
  • A guarantee with a headline number but no written terms.

Written by the Noah Garden Rooms team at our workshop in Telford, Shropshire. First published 19 December 2022. Updated 4 October 2026. Prices include VAT and are correct at October 2026.

Common questions

Questions we are often asked

Can I insulate a cheap garden room later?

It is possible but rarely simple. You have to line the walls, roof and floor, which costs space and money, and poorly detailed insulation can trap moisture and lead to condensation. It is usually better value to buy the insulation level you need from the start.

What should a garden room quote include?

The external size, frame and cladding, the insulation type and where it goes, glazing and doors, electrics and who connects them, the base, delivery and installation, the guarantee terms and whether VAT is included. If anything is missing, ask rather than assume.

Do you price match?

Yes. Our best price guarantee means we will match or beat a written like-for-like quote. Terms apply. See our garden room cost guide to compare ranges, features and optional extras.

Next steps

Ready to design your garden room?

Price your own design online in a few minutes, or come and see the buildings for real at our indoor showroom in Telford.

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