If you’ve ever tried to take a Zoom call at the kitchen table while someone’s unloading the dishwasher, you already know why garden offices are having their moment in the spotlight.

They’re private, practical and let’s be honest, having your own dedicated workspace just a few steps from home is the ultimate dream.

But how much does it actually cost to make that dream happen?

The truth is, “it depends” (annoying, we know). Prices can swing wildly depending on what you need. So that’s why in this guide, we’re breaking down the real garden office price in Ireland, including all the sneaky extras no one warns you about that can send your budget into a spiral. Plus, we’ll share smart ways to save without cutting corners.

What to look for in a garden office design

When it comes to designing a garden office, it’s easy to get swept up in the Pinterest daydream. Floor-to-ceiling glass. Built-in bookshelves. A reading nook. Maybe even a mini coffee station…

But every little “want” adds to the price so if you’re trying to keep your budget under control, the first step is to get clear on the difference between want-to-haves and need-to-haves.

Start by asking:

• What will I actually be using this space for, day in, day out?
• Do I really need a toilet out there, or can I nip back into the house?
• Will a basic electric heater do, or do I need full insulation and underfloor heating?

Needs keep you productive. Wants will drain your wallet if you’re not careful.

For most people, a well-insulated timber office with decent lighting, good ventilation, and space for a desk and chair is more than enough to start with. You can always add shelves, fancy finishes, or a bathroom later down the line as your budget allows.

How to choose the right garden office

Not all garden office providers are created equal and it’s really important to ask the right questions so you can weigh them against each other to find the best value option. 

Here are some good questions:

• What’s included in the price?
• Do you deliver?
• What add-ons do you offer?
• Do I need to prepare the site myself?
• How long does delivery and/or installation take?
• Is there a warranty?
• Do you offer custom quotes?

Asking the right questions now saves you from expensive surprises later. If a company can’t answer clearly and confidently? Keep shopping.

Garden office costs at a glance

We’ve tabled everything for you into a handy reference so all the costs involved are in one easy to access place. We’ll break these down further below so you know exactly what your options are and how to weigh them up to decide what your garden office needs.

Feature	Price
Small timber frame garden office (under 15m²)	from €4,000 – €15,000
Medium timber frame garden office(15–25m²)	€15,000 – €20,000
Large timber frame garden office(25m²+)	€14,000 – €21,000+
Planning permission application fee	€34 to €65
Planning permission newspaper notice	€140+
Planning permission site maps	€126
Building compliance certificate (if needed)	€350
Concrete foundation	€2,000+
Foundation kits	€890 to €2,150
Daily labour rate (for building, installing, site clearance, laying a foundation)	€250–€350 per worker per day
Full job labour rate	€1,000 to €4,000+ depending on the project
Electric connection (mains hook-up)	€3,486
Broadband cables	approx €40 to €50
Internet service	€30 to €40 per month
Wi-Fi extenders	€50 – €200+
Toilet with hand basin	about €3,100
Partition wall and door for bathroom	about €1,900
Fully kitted-out bathroom (toilet, shower, hand basin)	approx €4,500
Connecting to water supply	€2,272
Connecting to waste mains	€1,350
Electric wall heater	€100 – €300
Underfloor heating	from €500+
Full insulation (walls, floor, roof, windows, door)	from €1,400
Exterior wood protection treatment	€200 – €400 depending on product/size
Interior finishes (paint, stains, flooring)	€300 – €1,000+
Refuse removal (e.g. skip hire)	€250 – €400+ (depends on the size of the skip)
Security extras (locks, motion lights, alarm)	€150 – €1500+

Primary factors that influence garden office price

There’s no one-size-fits-all price tag when it comes to garden offices but there are a few big things that will make the numbers climb. 

1. The materials you use: Timber is by far the most popular and affordable option in Ireland. It’s fast to install, looks great in most gardens and gives you plenty of insulation options. Brick or concrete are way more expensive, take longer to build, and usually involve planning permission. It can add more value to your home, but unless you’re aiming for a fully permanent, liveable structure, it’s probably overkill for a workspace.

2. Size: It’s obvious, but worth saying: the bigger you go, the more you pay, not just for materials, but also for labour, foundations, insulation, and finishes.

Here’s a rough idea of what a timber frame garden office will cost from Summerhouse24:

• Small (under 15m²) = from €4,000 – €15,000
• Medium (15–25m²) = €15,000 – €20,000
• Large (25m²+) = €14,000 – €21,000+

Keep in mind: anything over 25m² may require planning permission, which adds extra time and cost. And depending on your provider and the design complexity your office can cost well over €21,000+.

3. How complex your design is: A simple, square structure with a single door and window is budget-friendly. Curved walls, custom layouts, bi-fold doors, skylights, and built-in storage is going to send costs up. The more bespoke your build, the more it’ll cost.
4. Where you live: If you’re based in or near a big city (here’s looking at you, Dublin), you’ll likely pay much more for labour and delivery than you would for the same thing in a less urban county. Rural areas might offer cheaper install costs but remote locations could mean higher delivery charges. Also, some counties have stricter zoning rules or build requirements, which can nudge your budget upwards.

Other important factors that impact garden office price

Even if your garden office is modest in size and design, these behind-the-scenes costs can still sneak up on you. Here’s what you’ll want to factor in before you get started:

1. Planning permission: If your garden office does not meet the conditions for exempted development,¹ here’s what you’re looking at in costs²:

• Application fee: €34 to €65
• Newspaper notice: €140+
• Site maps: €126
• Compliance certificate (if required)³: €350

That’s already around €700+ before you’ve even touched a shovel.

2. Zoning rules: Your local council might have additional rules especially if you’re in a conservation area, near protected structures, or planning something outside the norm.

That could mean:

• Special material requirements
• Height or placement restrictions
• Needing a qualified architect or engineer’s input

These extras often mean added design fees and admin costs, so always double-check with your local authority before locking in your plans.

3. Site prep: Not every garden is build-ready. If your plot is uneven, waterlogged, or full of old trees, you may need:

• Ground levelling
• Drainage solutions
• Landscaping or tree removal
• Access improvements for delivery

These tasks can add hundreds or even thousands, depending on how much work is needed. And the more remote or awkward your site is to access, the higher your quote might be.

4. Foundations: The foundation you choose will impact the price. Concrete foundations are by far the most expensive and start around €2,000 for a small area. The price increases for larger builds and for big complex build specialized equipment and labor to lay a concrete foundation adds to the price. The most cost effective option is to get a foundation kit, like the ones offered by Summerhouse24. These kits start at €890 for a DIY install of a small kit and go up to €2,150 for a large kit plus having it installed professionally. 

5. Labor costs: Even with a prefab kit, you might still need pros to help you assemble it.

Here’s a rough ballpark of what you can expect to pay:

• Daily labour rate: €250–€350 per worker
• Full install job: Could range from €1,000–€4,000+, depending on size and finish

Also worth noting: labour tends to cost more in cities (especially Dublin,Cork etc.) than in rural areas.

Extras you need to consider that increase garden office price

These add-ons can make a big difference to your final bill especially if you’re aiming for year-round comfort or extra functionality. Here are the costs:

• Electric connection (mains hook-up): €3,486
• Broadband cables : approx €40 to €50 for the cables and around €30 to €40 per month for internet service
• Wi-Fi extenders: approx €50 – €200+
• Toilet with hand basin: approx €3,100
• Partition wall and door for bathroom: approx €1,900
• Fully kitted-out bathroom (toilet, shower, hand basin): approx €4,500
• Connecting to water supply: €2,272
• Connecting to waste mains: €1,350
• Electric wall heater: approx €100 – €300
• Underfloor heating: from €500+
• Full insulation (walls, floor, roof, windows, door): from €1,400+
• Exterior wood protection treatment: €200 – €400 depending on product/size
• Interior finishes (paint, stains, flooring): approx €300 – €1,000+
• Delivery charges: Varies by provider and location (some offer free delivery)
• Refuse removal (e.g. skip hire): €250 – €400+ (depends on the size of the skip)
• Security extras (locks, motion lights, alarm): €150 – €1500+

Top tips to bring down your garden office price

Garden offices don’t have to break the bank. If you’re smart about your choices and willing to get a little hands-on, there are plenty of ways to keep the price under control without cutting corners.

• Stick to the basics. A simple, square structure with standard doors and windows is always cheaper than custom designs.
• Choose a prefab kit instead of a bespoke build if you want the most budget-friendly option.
• Compare prices from at least three different suppliers before committing to anything.
• Go DIY if you’ve got the skills. Self-build kits can save thousands in materials and labour costs.
• Skip the bells and whistles (like a toilet or kitchenette) unless you truly need them right away.
• Time your purchase right. Look out for seasonal sales like Black Friday and others in winter when demand dips. 
• Book a site survey before you start so you can get an exact quote and avoid nasty surprises later.

Is the garden office price worth it?

If you use it well, a garden office can more than pay for itself. You’ll save time and money on commuting, skip the cost of renting office space (especially if you run a small team or usually work from co-working hubs), and may even be able to claim tax deductions on your home office expenses. Plus, a well-built garden office can boost your property’s value, making it a smart long-term investment.

Timeline from order to moving into your garden office

How long it takes to get your garden office up and running depends mainly on whether you’re going prefab or going bespoke.

If you choose a prefab kit, the timeline is usually much shorter. Once the site is prepped and the foundation is in, installation can take as little as a few hours if done professionally to a few days if you do it yourself. Receiving your prefab kit depends on size and supplier availability. Some companies offer delivery within a week during quieter months, with others you might need to wait a bit longer.

With a bespoke build, you’re looking at a longer lead time. Design, approvals, custom fabrication, and weather delays can stretch the timeline out to 8–10 weeks or more and that’s before you factor in finishing touches like plumbing or painting.

If speed matters, prefab is your best friend. But if you’re willing to wait for a tailored setup, just make sure you’re clear on the full timeline upfront and pad in a little wiggle room for delays. Because in Ireland, let’s face it, it’s always either raining or about to.

Conclusion

A garden office is a practical solution to modern life. Whether you’re tired of working from the kitchen table or looking to create a space that actually lets you focus, the right setup can completely change your workday and it adds serious value to your home.

Yes, the prices can vary but with the right planning, a clear budget, and a bit of smart decision-making, you can build something that works for you without overspending.

And if you’re not sure where to start? The team at Summerhouse24 is here to help answer your questions and give you expert guidance on the best options for your specific situation.

Sources

1. https://planningpermissionireland.ie/planning-permission-guide/exemptions/
2. https://titanconstruction.ie/build-o-pedia/planning-permission-costs/
3. https://www.bellassociates.ie/services/compliance-certificates/#:~:text=planning%20permission%20%2F%20Compliance%20with%20building,as%20little%20as%20%E2%82%AC350.00