Bespoke Garden Annexes for Independent Living
From first plans and your free site survey to planning, installation and final handover, we make creating your garden annexe as straightforward as possible.
Choosing a granny annexe or garden lodge is a big decision, but the process doesn’t have to be complicated. At The Green Room, we manage every stage of your project, from initial plans and your free site survey through to bespoke design, planning, groundworks, utility connections, installation and final handover.
With one experienced team managing the entire project, you’ll always know what happens next. Here’s how our granny annexe process works from start to finish.
From your first enquiry to final handover, we guide you through every stage of your project. See how we bring your granny annexe or garden room to life.
To get started, we’ll send you real one- and two-bedroom annexe plans, complete with images, layouts, specifications and guide prices. These provide inspiration and give you a clear idea of what’s possible before you make any commitment. You can also view our garden annexe prices to see typical costs and what’s included.
When you’re ready to explore your project further, we’ll visit your property for a free, no-obligation site survey. During the survey, we’ll assess the available space, access, ground conditions and utility connections, discuss your requirements and bring material and colour samples for you to see.
Following the survey, we’ll create a complimentary bespoke design tailored to your garden and requirements, together with a clear, fixed-price quotation. You can also choose your kitchen, flooring, cladding and finishes, so you know exactly what’s included from the outset. To view your choices, please visit our Options Page.
See our bespoke designs for challenging spaces: The Cottesmore for a long, narrow garden and The Starling for restricted rear and side garden space
Once you’re happy to proceed, we’ll handle the appropriate planning or lawful development process on your behalf, including the necessary drawings, applications and communication with the local authority. To learn more about planning, visit our Garden Annexe Planning Page.
Once the necessary permissions are in place, we’ll schedule your installation. From there, our experienced team manages every stage of the build, from the foundations and SIPs structure through to plumbing, electrics, plastering, flooring, kitchen, bathroom and final fittings. Typically, most granny annexes take around 4–6 weeks to install, depending on their size.
Finally, we’ll walk through your completed annexe with you, check everything is working as it should and provide your relevant certificates and documents. Then we hand over the keys and your new space is ready to enjoy.
Once planning is in place and your installation date is booked, our experienced team builds your granny annexe on site. From there, we take care of every stage of construction, from the foundations and SIPs structure through to plastering, cladding and the final internal fit-out. Here’s how your annexe comes together.
We begin by installing the foundation system specified for your project, using either engineered screw piles or reinforced concrete pads depending on the ground conditions and structural requirements. This creates a strong, stable base for your annexe.
Once the foundations are in place, we move on to the main structure. We use Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) to build the floor and walls. Precision-cut for an accurate fit, the panels go up quickly and provide excellent insulation from the outset.
With the structure in place, we add internal battens to support the fittings and finishes. At this stage, we also install the electrical wiring and service runs, ready for the sockets, switches and lighting.
Next, we fit the plasterboard and fully plaster the walls and ceilings to create a clean, smooth finish throughout your annexe. Once the plaster has dried, you can decorate the space in your chosen colours.
Next, we add your chosen external cladding, whether you prefer Western Red Cedar or low-maintenance fibre cement board. The cladding gives your annexe its finished look while providing long-lasting protection from the weather. To explore our cladding choices and other finishing options, visit our Products page.
This is when your annexe really starts to feel like a home. We install your chosen kitchen, bathroom, flooring, heating and internal fittings, before completing and testing the plumbing and electrics. We finish the walls and ceilings with smooth plaster, ready for you to decorate once the new plaster has fully dried.
Finally, your granny annexe is now complete, fully insulated, connected to services and finished to a high standard inside and out. Once the plaster has dried and you’ve completed your chosen decoration, it’s ready to furnish and enjoy.
We’ll first email you a selection of granny annexe plans with example layouts, specifications and guide prices. If you’d like to explore your project further, we’ll arrange a free, no-obligation site survey to assess the available space, access, ground conditions and utility connections.
Following the survey, we’ll prepare your bespoke design and fixed-price quotation. If you decide to proceed, we’ll manage the planning, groundworks, installation and internal fit-out through to final handover.
You can see each stage in more detail on our granny annexe process page.
Yes. Every garden annexe project begins with a free, no-obligation site survey. We assess the available space, access, ground conditions and utility connections, then discuss your requirements and design options with you.
This helps us understand the site properly before preparing your bespoke design and fixed-price quotation.
We manage the whole project for you, while keeping you involved in the key decisions about your annexe, including the layout, specification, colours and finishes.
We’ll also keep you updated throughout the planning, design and installation stages, so you know how your project is progressing without having to coordinate different contractors yourself.
We do. We manage the planning process for your garden annexe, whether your project requires a full planning application or a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC), and deal with the local authority on your behalf.
Where Building Control applies, we also manage the required inspections and approval as part of the project.
For more information, see our granny annexe planning and permission guide.
Yes. We provide a full turnkey garden annexe service, managing your project from the initial site survey and design through to groundworks, foundations, utility connections, installation and final handover.
We also complete the plumbing, electrics, heating, flooring, plastering, fitted kitchen and bathroom. You’ll have one company and a single point of contact throughout the project, making the whole process simpler and easier to manage.
Internal painting and decorating are not included, as the new plaster needs time to dry before decoration.
We professionally plaster all internal walls and ceilings to provide a smooth finish ready for decoration. However, because fresh plaster needs time to dry fully before painting, internal painting and decorating are not included in our installation service.
This helps keep your overall costs down and gives you the freedom to choose your own colours and finishes. Once the plaster has dried, you can decorate the annexe yourself or use a local decorator.
In some cases, small changes may be possible during the build, and we’ll always do our best to accommodate them. However, some elements cannot easily be changed once materials have been ordered or installation has started.
For this reason, we recommend finalising your layout, specification and finishes before the build begins to help avoid delays or additional costs.
Most granny annexe installations take around 4–6 weeks, depending on the size and layout.
Throughout the build, our experienced team manages everything from the groundworks and foundations through to the kitchen, bathroom and final internal fit-out.
The 4–6 weeks refers to the on-site installation time and does not include the design, planning or lead time before work begins.
Simply complete our quote request form or give us a call. We’ll discuss what you’re looking for and can send you example one or two-bedroom annexe plans, specifications and guide prices to help you explore the options.
If you’d like to take the project further, we can then arrange a free, no-obligation site survey to assess your garden, access, ground conditions and utility connections.
The full granny annexe process depends on the design and the type of planning approval required. After your site survey and design are complete, we’ll manage the necessary planning or Lawful Development Certificate application and arrange your installation date.
Our typical lead time to start is around 12–16 weeks, depending on planning approval. Once work begins on site, most granny annexes take around 4–6 weeks to install, depending on their size and layout.
Fresh plaster needs to dry completely before painting. This usually takes around one to several weeks, depending on the temperature, ventilation, weather conditions and thickness of the plaster. In colder or damp conditions, it may take longer.
The plaster is ready when it has changed to a uniform pale colour with no darker patches. Once dry, apply a suitable mist coat before your chosen topcoat to help the paint bond correctly.
Good ventilation and gentle, consistent heating can help the plaster dry naturally. Always follow the paint manufacturer’s instructions for the correct mist-coat dilution.
Our team of down-to-earth experts genuinely care about great garden spaces and excellent customer service. Whether you’re just starting to explore your options or ready to move forward with your project, we’re here to help.