It transforms your outdoor space into a dedicated space that works as an office, guest accommodation, gym, or even a peaceful retreat. Adding a bathroom makes the building fully functional, offering all the amenities needed for year round use.
The big question most homeowners ask is: how much is a garden room with toilet and shower in the UK? The answer varies depending on the overall cost of the structure, bathroom fixtures, water supply, electrical requirements, and whether it falls under permitted development or needs planning permission. This guide breaks down the cost of a garden room with shower and toilet, explains planning considerations, and answers common questions.
How much does a garden room with shower and toilet cost?
The cost of a garden room with bathroom in the UK usually ranges between £20,000 and £45,000, though larger bespoke projects can exceed £60,000. A small garden room with toilet will sit at the lower end, while a garden office with bathroom, a garden studio with bathroom, or a garden bedroom with ensuite will cost more.
Prefab garden rooms with bathroom facilities are often cheaper and quicker to build, but a bespoke garden room allows you to design a building that matches your garden space and lifestyle. This means you can choose contemporary design options such as a flat roof, external cladding, or fully insulated walls with double glazed windows.
Ultimately, the garden room price is shaped by the quality of materials, the complexity of plumbing and electrical outlets, and additional features like a kitchenette or separate shower room.
Cost breakdown of a garden room with toilet and shower
The building itself
The building forms the largest share of the budget. Basic insulated garden rooms with toilet facilities start from around £15,000, while a bespoke garden room building with premium finishes, external cladding, and contemporary design can cost significantly more. Garden cabins with toilet facilities or prefab garden rooms with bathroom modules are cost effective, but a bespoke garden room project often provides better aesthetic appeal and a longer lifespan.
Plumbing and drainage
The main challenge is connecting the toilet area and shower to a water supply and drainage system. Adding plumbing to a shed cost or to a garden pod with bathroom typically ranges from £3,000 to £8,000. The cost of installing a toilet UK is usually £1,000–£2,500, but may rise if the garden room is far from existing drains.
A composting toilet or permanent outdoor toilet may be considered, but these aren’t always suitable for long-term use under building regulations. Most homeowners opt for full connection to mains sewage to comply with legal requirements.
Electrical supply and heating
Every garden room with toilet and shower requires an existing electrical supply to be extended from the main house. Electrical wiring, sockets, lighting, and internet connections can cost £1,500–£3,000 depending on requirements. Adding underfloor heating or additional electrical outlets will increase the overall cost.
Bathroom fixtures and finishes
The bathroom cost depends heavily on finish. A standard shower room cost is around £3,000–£5,000. A luxury bathroom with high-end fittings can easily exceed £8,000. The cost of installing ensuite facilities in a main house is sometimes lower, but a garden bathroom requires extra considerations such as insulation, space saving layouts, and ventilation.
Additional features
Adding a garden room with toilet and kitchenette, a garden room with kitchen and bathroom, or even a utility room and toilet extension can raise the overall cost considerably. Some homeowners choose a garden room toilet plan with a separate shower room, while others design a full garden bathroom with all amenities for family members or guests.
Key considerations before starting your garden room project
Before investing, it’s important to approach your garden room project with a clear step by step guide. Average costs are only part of the picture – you’ll need to budget for additional fees such as planning applications, drainage works, and building regulations checks.
Think carefully about whether you want a prefab solution or a bespoke garden room. A bespoke project can be tailored to your garden space, offer artistic expression in its design, and provide a higher level of finish, but it usually comes at a higher overall cost.
Legal requirements are also a key consideration. Toilet garden rooms designed for guest accommodation or as a garden office with bathroom must meet strict standards for water supply, electrical connection, and waste disposal.
Design features that influence the cost of a garden room
The design choices you make for a new garden room have a direct impact on cost. A dream garden room with a flat roof, external cladding, and double glazed windows will naturally cost more than a simple shed with toilet and shower. Larger rooms also increase costs because of the extra space to insulate, heat, and furnish.
Many homeowners choose a beautiful wooden structure that blends with the garden and adds aesthetic appeal. Others go for a contemporary design that complements the main house. The choice of finishes reflects personal style and even artistic expression, turning the building into more than just a room with shower facilities – it becomes a perfect space for work or leisure.
Adding an outdoor seating area can also push up the garden room price, but it creates a versatile space that enhances outdoor space and supports year round use.
Planning permission and building regulations
Do I need garden room planning permission for a garden room with toilet? This is one of the most common questions. Standard garden rooms without plumbing usually fall under permitted development, but once you add water supply and drainage for a toilet and shower, planning permission may be required.
Your local council will assess the project, especially if you are creating a garden bedroom with ensuite or a garden guest room with bathroom. Even if planning permission isn’t needed, building regulations almost always apply when adding plumbing and electrical requirements.
Outside toilet building regulations ensure waste is disposed of safely and water connections are compliant. Garden room toilet solutions such as composting toilet systems may avoid drainage work, but these don’t always satisfy legal requirements for year round use.
Benefits of a garden room with bathroom
A garden house with bathroom facilities provides more than just extra living space.
Guest accommodation – A garden guest room with bathroom is perfect for visiting friends, a guest house, or as a separate living space for an elderly family member.
Garden office with toilet – A garden office with toilet and shower allows you to work without interruption and keep business separate from the main house.
Versatile living space – A summer house with toilet and shower or log cabins with toilet facilities can be adapted into a gym, beauty salon, or treatment room.
Property value – A bespoke garden room with ensuite bathroom can increase property value, especially if it is fully insulated, has heating, and is designed for year round use.
For many, the biggest benefit is creating a peaceful retreat in your own garden that offers all the amenities of a main house extension while remaining a separate and versatile space.
Garden rooms vs summer houses vs log cabins
Homeowners often compare a garden room with toilet and shower to a summer house with toilet or a log cabin with toilet and shower.
A summerhouse with toilet is usually cheaper, but may not be fully insulated or suitable for year round use. A log cabin with toilet may provide charm, but often requires more work to meet building regulations. By contrast, an insulated garden room with toilet and shower is designed as a long-term solution, offering all the amenities of an extension at a lower cost.
How much does it cost to build a summer house UK? Typically £10,000–£25,000, but when you add a bathroom, costs rise to similar levels as a garden room with shower and toilet.
Additional uses for toilet garden rooms
Toilet garden rooms are no longer just considered an upgrade for convenience – they are increasingly popular as multi-purpose spaces that add flexibility to modern homes. For some households, the garden room becomes a guest house with shower and toilet facilities, offering a private living space away from the main house. For others, it serves as a home office, treatment room, or even a small beauty salon, designed for personal use but also capable of generating income.
A new garden room with bathroom can also work as a peaceful retreat for family members. Whether it’s a teenager looking for extra space, an elderly family member needing their own bathroom, or a hobbyist who wants a dedicated space for creative projects, the versatility of garden buildings makes them an attractive option.
The overall cost will vary depending on whether you want all the amenities of a fully fitted ensuite or simply a room with shower and toilet. Garden room projects that include a kitchenette or outdoor seating area can create a dream garden room that blends living space with the wider outdoor space, especially if the property is located in an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Many homeowners see garden room buildings as a cost effective alternative to a full house extension. With good quality insulation, electrical connection, and heating, they can provide year round use while still keeping separation from the main house.
Step by step guide to planning your garden room with shower and toilet
1. Define your purpose
Decide whether the garden building will be used as a garden office, a guest house, or a personal retreat. Identifying the main use will shape your budget, design, and layout. If it will serve as guest accommodation or a beauty salon, you’ll need to allow space for a separate shower room and all the amenities needed for year round use.
2. Assess your garden space
Look at the size and shape of your own garden to determine the best location. Consider privacy, access, and how much extra space you want around the building for features such as an outdoor seating area. Positioning the room so it blends into the landscape can add aesthetic appeal and artistic expression.
3. Establish a realistic budget
Average costs vary depending on size and finishes, but most toilet garden rooms cost £20,000–£45,000. Don’t forget additional fees for water supply, electrical connection, and building regulations approval. Larger rooms or those with contemporary design features such as double glazed windows or external cladding will raise the garden room price.
4. Choose the right design
Decide between a prefab model or a bespoke garden room project. A prefab option can be cost effective, but a bespoke project lets you create a dream garden room with flat roof design, beautiful wooden structure, or modern cladding that matches your main house.
5. Check planning permission
Find out whether your new garden room will require planning permission. Some builds fall under permitted development, but anything with a toilet area and shower is more likely to need approval. Contact your local council early to avoid delays.
6. Plan utilities and fittings
Work with professionals to organise the existing electrical supply, electrical wiring, and water supply. Include electrical outlets, underfloor heating, and ventilation. Don’t overlook the bathroom cost – toilets, showers, and fittings vary depending on quality and style.
7. Build and enjoy
Once construction begins, the garden room building process can take a few weeks to a few months depending on size and complexity. The result is a new garden room that functions as a perfect space for work, leisure, or guest accommodation.
Other types of garden rooms to consider
When looking at the cost of a garden room with shower and toilet, it’s worth exploring the different ways these buildings can be adapted to suit your lifestyle:
Bespoke garden rooms – Designed to fit your garden space, with the flexibility to include features such as a shower, toilet, or kitchenette.
Garden offices – A dedicated workspace close to home, with the option of bathroom facilities for day-long comfort.
Garden guest rooms – Private living space with ensuite or full bathroom facilities for family members or visitors.
Garden studio – Flexible buildings for hobbies, fitness, or use as a treatment room or beauty salon.
Garden bar – A social space where you can relax or entertain without leaving your own garden.
Garden gym – A fitness-focused garden room equipped for exercise and year round use.
Each of these garden room types can be adapted to include all the amenities you need, whether that’s a simple toilet area or a fully equipped bathroom.
Conclusion
The cost of a garden room with shower and toilet depends on many factors, but most homeowners in the UK should budget between £20,000 and £45,000. The final cost depends on size, design, bathroom fixtures, insulation, water supply, and electrical work.
Whether you need a garden office with bathroom, a garden bedroom pod with bathroom, or a log cabin with toilet and shower, the investment creates a versatile, dedicated space that adds comfort and value to your home.
Before starting, check planning permission with your local council, confirm building regulations, and decide whether a prefab garden room with bathroom or a bespoke project suits your needs. With the right design, your garden room can provide a beautiful wooden structure that works as a year round retreat, guest accommodation, or perfect workspace.
Get in touch today with Designer Garden Rooms to see how we can help bring your garden room to life!
FAQs
Can I put a toilet in my garden room?
Yes, you can install a toilet in garden rooms, but you will need professional plumbing, connection to a water supply, and compliance with building regulations. Some choose composting toilets as a cheaper option, but these may not be suitable for permanent outdoor toilet use.
Do I need planning permission for a garden room with toilet?
In many cases, yes. While a garden room without plumbing can be built under permitted development, a garden room with toilet and shower usually requires planning permission, particularly if it is designed for guest accommodation.
How much does it cost to install a toilet in a garden room?
The toilet installation cost UK is typically £1,000–£2,500. If drainage needs extending or pumping, the cost may be higher.
Is it cheaper to build your own garden room?
It can be cheaper to build your own garden room, but DIY builds must still meet building regulations. Prefab garden rooms with bathroom facilities are often a more practical option than starting from scratch.
Does a garden room with ensuite add value to my home?
Yes, a garden room with ensuite can add significant value, especially if it is fully insulated, has a separate shower room, and feels like a natural extension of the main house.
How much does it cost to build a summer house with toilet?
The cost of building a summer house with toilet in the UK starts around £10,000 but can rise to £30,000 or more once plumbing and insulation are added.
What’s the difference between a garden room with toilet and a summer house with toilet?
A garden room with bathroom is designed for all-year-round use with insulation, electrical wiring, and heating. A summer house with toilet is often seasonal and less robust.
