"Luxury you can afford"
Frequently Asked Questions

When can you fit our studio?
We aim to fit your studio in 4 - 6 weeks from you placing the order. During winter, the waiting time tends to be shorter than in the summer, although the new QC studio is proving to be very popular, so sorting a fiiting date asap is advisable.

Do you do site visits?
We usually do not need to do site visits since the design of the studios is versatile enough to cope with virtually any situation.
We have fitted over 200 studios all over the UK and 99% of those have not had a site visit. Not doing site visits, means we can keep our costs very low. The "Free Site Surveys" that other companies offer, will have costs to them which they simply recover by putting up the price of their buildings. Somewhere along the line, free site visits are paid for by somebody. Some of our customers email photographs of their site, if they think there is an issue with their garden.

Can you send me a brochure?
We do not post brochures. We can email a brochure and various case studys about our studios, but we do not post them. Apart from this helping the environment, it saves a huge amount of money, which again means we keep our costs very low, which in turn means we can keep our prices so competitive. We also encourage customers to visit our studios (by appointment) since you cannot beat seeing the product. We have a new Newsletter you can subscribe to which gives more detailed information about our Studios.

 

Do you make many sizes?
Yes, our most popular size is 3660 x 3050 (12' x 10') and we can now supply Studios with a 12' depth (3660mm). The Studio can be virtually any length. e.g. 50' length with a 10' depth was a recent installation, see price list for size options.

Do I need planning permission?
With the Low Roof Studios like the QC, probably not. As long as the Studio does not take up more than half of your garden and is 5m away from your house.The Hipped Roof Studios probably will need planning permission since they are higher than 2.5 metres. We can handle your planning permission for £495 including VAT. (plus your local planning fees). The main disadvantage with planning permission is the time it takes. Detailed info on planning is here.


What colours are available?
We now do a white glass fibre wallpaper for the interior walls. This can easily be painted any colour required. Some details are here interiors, exteriors. The QC comes with holly green exterior walls and window frames, with dark oak pillars and plinths, and we now offer a QC with Grey exterior walls and Light Oak Pillars, Plinths and Window frames.

What tax allowance I can set against the studio?
You should always discuss your situation with your own financial advisor.

How long does it take to install?

This depends upon the size of the studio, but in most cases it can be completed in one day.

Do the prices include VAT?

Yes.

Do I need a concrete base?
No, the studio sits on a chassis which can be adjusted to account for unlevelled ground, this in turn sits upon concrete feet that can sit straight on soil, grass, stones e.t.c. This gives a considerable cost saving.

Do we have to do anything before you arrive?
As long as the site for your studio is clear, then we can install it. The team would need power for their tools. Once you have shown our head fitter exactly where your studio needs to go, you can leave them to it. We do not install the power going down the garden to your studio. You will be best getting a local electrician to install this, since he needs to "pass' it. We can send you details about the armoured cable needed, which he would understand. Incidently, armoured cable can run down a fence to your Studio which would be a cost saving. It doesn't necessarily have to go deep underground. That's why the cable is "Armoured".

Is the studio insulated?
Yes, to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer, walls floor and ceiling are all fully insulated. Subscribe to our Free Newsletter to get more detailed information on this.


Is the studio secure?
Yes very. A key feature throughout the design was the peace of mind in knowing equipment and data will be safe. The glass is toughened and the door is fitted with insurance rated locks.


What is the ideal size for working in?
A difficult question to answer but with clever desks and good forethought it is surprising what you can achieve. Our larger Studios tend to be better value per square foot.


What is the internal finish?
The floor is covered with a laminate flooring, the walls are covered with white fibreglass wallpaper and the ceiling is a combination of pine wood and white UPVC. All double electric sockets are fitted flush in in a recessed conduit at waist height. Alex's latest design tweak now means that extra sockets or access to the consumer unit are simple.

How long will the studios last?
Using high quality treatment for the external timber gives the timber a long life in excess of 25 years. So with a little care and attention it should last a lifetime. Our QC model does not require any exterior maintenance and has an expected life in excess of 25 years.

What guarantee do you supply?
We now supply a 5 year guarantee.

Do the windows open for ventilation?
On the timber models, they tilt inwards from the top, to supply ventilation. The QC windows have vents installed in the window frame for ventilation. Extactor fan can be added if required.

What heating do you need in the studio?
We do not supply heating, we find our clients have varied tastes and all different styles are available. I have written a "Best Buy" summary on heaters from the "Which Repor"t which you will receive if you subscribe to our weekly emails.

Heat exchange units can be heaters in the winter and be cool in the summer but you do have the issue of a rather large, unsightly external unit, which is difficult to make look pretty. Ideally, this should be on an external wall which can't be seen from your house or from your neighbours house. The best AC Heat exchange units always have this ugly external unit so its whether you can live with that, to have the more efficient heating and cooling. Please ask for current price for fitting one.

Is the studio suitable as a music room?
Yes, it is insulated and ideal for the majority of home music use. We have several customers who have their home recording set up in their Garden Studio.

Where does the rainwater go?

A down pipe diverts the water to the ground, should you require a water butt then they are available at all DIY stores. The guttering on the LoLine Studios is at the rear of the roof.

Is the studio double-glazed?
Yes, with low energy double glazed units.

How many sockets are fitted?
There are 2 double sockets for each wall. The sockets are positioned in a recessed conduit at about waist height, near the corners of the wall. This means most Studios have 6 double sockets. A Studio with "Windows On 2 Sides", will have 4 double sockets.
More can be easily added after the install if required.

Is a light fitted?
Yes, a 4' fluorescent light is fiited above the door, as a general light. We have found that each person has different lighting requirements which can usually be accomodated with additional desk or standard lamps.


We want an art studio is it suitable?
Yes, we have many clients using the studios for this exact reason. They comment on how light and airy the studio feels, and often order a Studio with "Windows on 2 sides" for the extra light this affords for their work. We can also supply Studios with "Windows On 3 Sides".

Do you supply blinds?

We now supply blinds as a "freebie". They are plastic venetian blinds, which, although not amazing quality, they will get you up and running and they finish the look of the Studio. They are also very easy to replace if you wanted to update them with a better quality blind.

Can you supply finance?

No we don't do finance. When I looked into it recently, it seemed to me that a low interest loan from normal providers would be the most cost effective way to finance a purchase.

Can you fit decking if we require?

We do now supply Plastic Decking which is very long lasting and safer than wood decking. Although there is an "Anti Slip" paint for wooden decking now, which we are in the process of testing.

Can I fit the studio myself and save on the cost?
Sorry, but no.

Can I collect the studio and save on the cost?
We don’t recommend it as we have special equipment to help with securing the parts during transport.

Why work from a studio instead of a room in my house?
People who need to concentrate on specific details in their work, find they reach a high level of concentration very quickly. Ambiant sound from TVs, computer games and general household noise is non existant in a garden studio, enabling far better and more enjoyable results.

What height are the studios?
For the Hip Roof Studios, 1830mm width are 2.7m to ridge.
2440mm width studios are 2.9m to the ridge. 3050mm studios are 3.1m to the ridge. The "Low roof" LoLine Studios are all 2.5m height which normally avoids the need for planning. The height to the eaves is 2.1m on all models.

Can you supply office furniture to fit the studio?

Not at the moment.

Is the glass safe?
Yes, toughened to comply with British standards.

Are the windows draught proof?
Yes adjustable draught excluder is fitted.

Can I paint my Garden Studio?
Painting or staining is not required on our latest QC garden room. For the timber rooms,we highly recommend that you paint the exterior of your studio as it will help to protect it further from the elements. We can recommend two types of paint for different finishes:
-For a wood stain finish use; 1 coat of Sickens Hls and 2 coats of Sickens Filter
-For a coloured finish use; 2 coats of Sadalin Superdeck Satin Finish.

I am saving for a Studio, and would like to keep in touch. What should I do?
Subsrcibe to our Free Newsletter below to receive a regular email which gives much more detail about our Studios. Alex and Brian are constantly looking to improve our Studios. The Newsletter will detail these changes and you will hear about them first. Hope this helps. Iain 07590 067 120.