frequently asked questions

Unlike other garden rooms the abode range is designed to be lived in all year round. Each model comes with its own fully functional bath room and kitchen area kept cosy with central heating. They are built to building regulation standards, in the UK by craftsmen that have over 20 years experience and have better energy ratings than an average UK house.

If you are thinking of extending your living space the abode option gives you the means to do so without having an army of builders in your home for weeks causing disruption and mess. You can forget the time and expense of requiring plans to be drawn up and in 95% of the time getting planning permission granted (or not). Unlike a lot of building works we have a fixed price and VAT is not applicable on the main unit so once we agree on a price that’s it.

The short answer is “It depends”. Where possible we build on a chassis, this means you should not require planning permission provided you put it in your garden and is not the user’s sole or primary residence – I.E. whoever uses it also maintains some sort of contact with the main house as well.

You should also check your property deeds to ensure there are no restrictions to permitted development, sometimes common in new developments and further restrictions may also apply in Conservation Areas. It is not a requirement but for 100% peace of mind you should obtain a “Certificate of Lawfulness” from your local planners – Unlike a full planning application the process is straight forward, affordable and does not require plans of the abode to be submitted.

Abodes being used in the leisure market as holiday homes or for any other business purpose will almost certainly require planning permission and we will help support you through this process. If you are unsure we would recommend that you talk to our planning consultants or look at the government planning web site, alternatively contact your local planning consultants or planning department.

One of the main advantages of this type of build is the short time from placing the order to you being able to move in. Our experts typically will be able hand over the keys within 8 to 10 weeks providing there have been no significant issues with access or the weather.

At abode4 we pride ourselves in making sure we tailor each abode to its owner. We have numerous options across the abode product range to ensure the interior and exterior are styled to your taste including in-house handmade furniture, kitchens and bathroom. Alternatively you can choose wonderful kitchens from Magnet, designer bathroom products from Kohler and all the options to suit your lifestyle. Contact us to chat about what options are available.

It's difficult to say due to the options available, however, if you choose the standard contemporary range, the “Mini” Model starts at £24,950 for a footprint of 22.7m2 based on 7.1m x 3.2m external measurements.

The larger “Mono” unit starts at £35,950 for a footprint of 37.2m2 based on 9.3m x 4.0m external measurements.

All prices are ex-works inclusive of VAT. We can of course provide a quotation for furniture, delivery, installation and commissioning. Depending on the location and your existing infrastructure you should budget for around £2,000 to £7,000 for connecting the electrics, water and sewerage.  We can point you in the right direction to help you find the solution that would suit your situation.

Plans to help set up the site prior to delivery will be provided to ensure that the utilities are connected up with minimal disruption.

Based on our standard contemporary range for the “Mini” the following are included:-

• low maintenance horizontal Siberian larch cladding that looks great and is naturally resistant to the elements.
• Insulated wood frame for the floor, walls & roof to provide max insulation for sound and heat retention.
• Softwood folding external door & windows all double glazed with energy efficient glass in grey/green.
• Painted plasterboard internal lining to walls with hidden joints.
• White planked ceiling.
• Wood effect flooring throughout.
• Fully functional bath room including 1.4m x 0.9m shower enclosure, soft close WC, Inset vanity basin.
• Hideaway kitchen with 42 litre fridge, inset single SS bowl c/w mixer tap (as per Lilac). microwave & drawer.
• Water central heating system off LPG combi boiler inc heated towel rail.
• Lighting package including - Wall lights, LED Strip lights and ceiling light.
• Plenty of wall sockets, light switched and TV aerial point.
• Storage cupboards.
• Fitted wardrobes with dresser / desk area.
• Sliding internal door to bath room.

Our abodes are designed to sit on minimal pile foundations that are self levelling and are included in the price. This approach is easier on the environment and causes less site disruption and requires little site preparation. For easy maintenance you may also want to cover the ground beneath the abode with a preventative weed membrane topped with gravel.

Other external items like decking, steps, landscaping are excluded.

Will usually be able to be linked to the existing system, if not possible we can investigate an alternative, this is assessed on the free site survey.

Abode4 will perform the initial site survey to ensure access will not be a problem and then once you decide to go ahead our experienced production team who have over 20 years experience of building timber frame properties will undertake all the work to your satisfaction.

You will need to complete the groundwork’s describe above. The abode will then arrive on the agreed date ready to be installed and connected up. Tea and biscuits are optional....

Ideally we would access the site directly and manoeuvre the abode into position. Alternatively they can be lifted in by crane should this be required – the team have a lot of experience in this area and will be happy to talk to you about your situation.

We have already worked with our production partner to ensure that where we can we comply or exceed the current regulations were possible. All our abodes are built to the same high standard regardless of their intended use. This is not the case for all garden / outside buildings that will not be usable all year round and may not last as long due to a lower standard of construction and insulation.

Each model will have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) issued to show how well we measure up. In general the abodes achieve a "C" rating for energy efficiency and a "C" rating for environmental impact.

As a comparison, the average UK home only achieves a "D" rating

Each Property will benefit from a full comprehensive guarantee for 12 months. There is also an insurance backed 10 year structural warrantee to give you peace of mind. All wiring and plumbing works are installed to the same high standard you would expect from a brand new house. This also gives you the reassurance that the abode will be enjoyed long after whoever moves in.

If your abode is ancillary to your existing property then you will not have to pay separate Council Tax. If you rent out your property for a period you will pay rates rather than council tax.

We think so. Not only can you get the additional living space you require it will add value to your existing property. Subject to planning permission you may also be able to sell the property as a new independent dwelling or it could be used as alternative source of income. We pride ourselves in the high specifications of our abodes, meaning that the running costs in terms of heating will be low, being good news for your pocket as well as the environment.