What Really Changes When You Push the Price Down?
Drag the slider to see how build quality, detailing and lifespan typically change at different price levels. This isn't a quote - it's a reality check.
Adjust the budget
This shows what usually gets cut or added at each level. It's not possible to include everything at the very low end without someone compromising somewhere - materials, labour time or both.
At a realistic "sensible" budget you usually get:
- Proper SIP thickness & U-values stated
- Decent foundations (ground screws or slab)
- Breathable membrane & vapour control
- Quality doors & windows
- Time for correct flashing & snagging
At this level you're usually getting a solid, sensible specification - not the cheapest possible product, but something designed to last and feel like another room of your home instead of a thin cabin.
Cheap Cabin vs SIP Garden Room - The Comfort Difference
Many "bargain" garden rooms are closer to a glorified shed. A SIP garden room is built like a small house. Here's how that plays out in day-to-day comfort and running costs.
Thin timber cabin / shed-style
- Thin walls with basic or no insulation.
- Cheaper doors & windows with weak seals.
- Big swings in temperature - hot in summer, cold in winter.
- Often not designed for all-day computer work.
- Higher heating costs to keep comfortable in winter.
High-performance SIP garden room
- Structural insulated panels with proper U-values.
- Consistent, even insulation in walls, floor and roof.
- Designed for year-round use as an office or studio.
- Much easier to heat - and stays warm for longer.
- Built to feel like another room of your home.
Where Does the Money Actually Go?
A proper SIP garden room isn't just "materials + a bit of labour". Here's a simple breakdown of where a typical sensible-budget project is allocated.
How a realistic quote is made up
My aim is to keep margins fair and sustainable. If a quote is dramatically cheaper than this kind of structure, it usually means something has been stripped out - materials, labour time or both.
Why super-low quotes worry me
To shave thousands off a realistic quote, you can't just "buy smarter". You normally end up with thinner panels, weaker bases, rushed labour or missing details (membranes, vapour control, flashing, snagging time).
I'd rather be open about profit and build something I'm happy to put my name on, instead of gambling with the long-term performance of your garden room.
Moisture & Condensation Risk - How Walls Really Behave
Most garden room failures start where you can't see them - inside the wall. Use the slider to see how detailing changes the risk of hidden damage.
Detailing quality
Decent but basic detailing
Some thought has been given to membranes and vapour control, but the build may rely on generic "shed-style" details rather than SIP-specific junctions.
You might get away with this for a while, but it leaves more to chance - particularly in very wet winters, or if the room is used heavily and not ventilated properly.
When I design and build, I'm actively thinking about how moisture can get in, how it dries out again, and how to avoid it sitting unseen inside the structure.
How Garden Rooms Go Wrong (and How I Prevent It)
Most people only see glossy finished photos. Here are some of the common failure points I design against from day one.
Water ingress & rot
What happens: Water finds its way in around roof edges, abutments or at the base and sits in the structure.
Why: Poor flashing details, no drip edges, weak junctions between roof, walls and cladding.
My approach: Proper flashing kits, thought-through details and making sure water always has a way to get out, not sit in.
Condensation inside walls
What happens: Moisture builds up inside the wall where you can't see it, slowly damaging timber and finishes.
Why: No vapour control layer, missing airflow gaps, insulation and membranes thrown in without a plan.
My approach: SIPs with known performance, vapour control on the warm side and ventilation where it's needed.
Overheating & freezing
What happens: Great in spring, unbearable in a heatwave and miserable in a cold snap.
Why: Thin walls, too much unshaded glass, no thought for orientation or shading.
My approach: Proper insulation, sensible glazing, optional blinds / overhangs and heating sized for real use.
Day vs Night: Where Does the Heat Go?
Toggle "heat leak view" to see the difference between a thin cabin-style build and a SIP garden room.
In normal view everything looks fine. The problem only shows up when you think about heat.
The Real Cost of Going Cheap
Spend your imaginary budget on a garden room. Choose "cheap" or "sensible" options and see what happens a few years down the line.
1. Base & foundations
2. Walls & insulation
3. Weatherproofing
4. Doors & windows
5. Labour & time on site
How do I compare different garden room quotes fairly?
Already have a quote? Use the X-Ray checklist below.
You're very welcome to get other quotes - in fact, I encourage it. Before you decide, run them through this checklist so you're comparing like for like. The X-ray tool below gives you a quick "spec clarity score" based on the wording.
Paste the quote you've been sent
This is just a guide. It can't see build quality or the people behind the quote - but it can show you whether the written spec is thin or detailed.
Key details that should be clearly included
- Structure type (SIP, timber frame, cabin).
- Wall, floor and roof build-up with insulation and U-values.
- Base / foundation type and whether it's included.
- Roof finish, flashing details and guttering.
- Number and type of doors and windows (e.g. aluminium vs uPVC).
- Electrics - number of sockets, lights, consumer unit, certification.
- Heating - what's supplied, if anything.
- Internal finish - plasterboard, paint, flooring type.
- Warranty or guarantee, and what it actually covers.
If you'd like me to go through a quote with you, you can attach it or paste it into my enquiry form and I'll happily explain what's included and what isn't - even if you don't end up choosing me.
Choose Your Installer Scorecard
Print this out or use it on screen when you're talking to different companies. If they can't answer these clearly, think carefully before handing them tens of thousands of pounds.
| Question | Helps & Co | Installer 2 | Installer 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who actually builds my room on site? | Henry, the owner. | ||
| What structure is it (SIPs, timber frame, cabin)? | SIP garden room - fully insulated panels. | ||
| What's the wall, floor & roof build-up and U-values? | Written in your quote and explained in plain English. | ||
| What foundations are included? | Specified base (e.g. ground screws or slab) - not a guess. | ||
| How is water kept out (membranes, flashing, details)? | SIP-specific details, membranes and flashing thought through. | ||
| How many sockets, lights & what electrical sign-off? | Clear electrical spec with certification. | ||
| What heating is included (if any)? | Sized for how you'll actually use the room. | ||
| What internal finish do I get? | Plastered / painted with durable flooring options. | ||
| What's the warranty and who stands behind it? | Personal, named contact - me. | ||
| How many builds like mine have you done? | Happy to show photos, talk through previous projects and lessons learnt. |
Tip: if an installer struggles to fill this in, or refuses to, that tells you a lot. I'm happy to go through it with you on a call and explain how I approach each point.
Why I Build This Way
Helps & Co is just me - Henry Helps - on site, actually building your garden room. I'm not interested in churning out the cheapest possible product. I'd rather be upfront about costs, build to a standard I'm proud of, and know your room will still feel solid and comfortable years down the line.
If you'd like a transparent, SIP-based garden room that's designed to be used every day, you're very welcome to get in touch and we can talk through what's realistic for your budget.