Relocating a garden room is an increasingly common project for homeowners who want to adapt their outdoor space, redesign their gardens, or take their garden building with them when they move home. A garden room can be a significant investment, and giving careful thought to how to move, relocate, and reinstall it properly will protect that investment and ensure it continues to perform well in its new location. In this comprehensive guide we’ll explain the options for moving or relocating a garden room, discuss important practical considerations, cover regulatory and cost implications, and outline step?by?step how to prepare, execute and re?commission a garden room move. Whether you’re dealing with a small office pod or a high?end luxury building, understanding the process ahead of time will help you plan effectively and avoid costly mistakes.
Garden rooms are typically designed as site?specific structures: foundations are installed, services are connected, and siting is chosen to maximise light, views and accessibility. Moving a garden room therefore involves more than simply “picking it up and putting it somewhere else.” The process requires careful assessment of both current and future site conditions, service disconnection and reconnection, safe transport, new base installation, regulatory checks, and commissioning. Get it right and you can give your garden room a second life in the perfect new spot. Get it wrong and you risk damage, unexpected costs and performance issues.
Why You Might Want to Move a Garden Room
There are many reasons why a homeowner might choose to move or relocate a garden room rather than leave it in its original position:
Redesigning the Outdoor Space: You may have decided that your garden room looks better in a different part of the garden—perhaps closer to a patio, better orientated to sunlight, or more private.
Home Renovation or Landscaping Projects: Major landscape improvements or extensions to the house may necessitate moving the garden room out of the way.
Change of Use: If you initially installed the garden room as a summer shed but now want it closer to the house for use as a home office, guest suite or gym, relocation can make it more practical.
Selling the Property: Some homeowners want to take their premium garden room with them when they move home.
Site Issues: Drainage problems, shading, or ground movement at the original location might prompt a move to a more stable, usable spot.
Whatever the reason, moving a garden room is a worthwhile project when done correctly.
Can All Garden Rooms Be Relocated?
Not all garden rooms are equally easy—or even practical—to relocate. A number of factors affect whether a move is feasible:
Construction Type: Buildings constructed on temporary bases (such as adjustable pedestals or ground screws) are generally far easier to relocate than those built on a poured concrete slab.
Size and Weight: The larger and heavier the garden room, the more difficult it becomes to lift, transport and reinstall. Very large, complex buildings (for example those with integrated bathrooms or extensive glazing) may require specialist heavy?lift equipment.
Fixed Services: If the garden room is connected to mains electrical, plumbing or drainage, moving it involves safely disconnecting these services and re?connecting them at the new site.
Site Access: Both the original location and the new site must have sufficient access for the machinery and transport needed to lift and re?site the building.
Condition of the Structure: Older or poorly built garden rooms may not survive dismantling and re?erection without damage.
Regulatory Considerations: In some areas or for certain uses, planning permission or building control approval may be required for the relocation or change of use.
If your garden room is modest in size, built on a non?permanent foundation, and structurally sound, relocation is usually feasible with the help of professionals.
What Are the Main Relocation Options?
There are three principal ways to move a garden room:
1. Lift and Relocate the Building in One Piece:
This method involves lifting the garden room off its existing base using a crane or lifting frame, placing it onto a specialist transport unit, transporting it to the new location, and placing it onto a new base. This is often the preferred method for high?quality, modular buildings that are structurally rigid and can withstand lifting and transport without dismantling.
2. Dismantle and Re?Erect On Site:
Some garden rooms can be carefully dismantled into panels or modules and then reconstructed in the new position. This is often used when garden rooms are timber frame or otherwise designed for modular assembly. It can be labour?intensive but reduces the need for heavy lifting.
3. Build a New Garden Room and Salvage Key Components:
For very large or bespoke garden rooms, it may be more cost?effective to build a new garden room in the new location and salvage doors, windows, interior fittings and other reusable components from the original building. This approach is sometimes more efficient than attempting to physically move complex or integrated structures.
Each method has pros and cons in terms of cost, risk and time. Choosing the right method depends on the specific building and site involved.
Step?By?Step: Moving or Relocating a Garden Room
Below is a step?by?step outline to help you plan and execute a relocation project:
Step 1: Evaluate the Current Structure
Before anything else, have a qualified professional assess the current garden room. This survey should review:
• Structural integrity (frame, roof, walls, floors)
• Base/foundation type
• Fixed services (electrical, plumbing, HVAC)
• Access and lifting points
• Any existing damage or defects
This evaluation will help determine if the building is suitable for relocation and which relocation method is most appropriate.
Step 2: Check Access and Logistics
Next, assess both the existing location and the proposed new site for access. Important considerations include:
• Width of access route for crane and transport vehicle
• Overhead obstacles (wires, trees, eaves)
• Ground stability and gradient at both sites
• Proximity to property boundaries
Without adequate access, a full building move may not be practical—and alternatives like dismantling or salvaging may be necessary.
Step 3: Plan the New Base/Foundation
You cannot relocate a garden room without preparing a new base or foundation. The type of base chosen depends on the size and intended permanence of the structure:
• Ground screws or adjustable pedestals: ideal for lighter structures; minimise ground disruption
• Concrete slab: durable and suitable for larger or heavier buildings
• Reused base: If the original base is structurally sound and can be moved, it may be possible to reuse it
The new base must be level, stable and finished before the building is moved.
Step 4: Disconnect Services
Before moving the garden room, all services must be safely disconnected:
• Electrical: Power must be isolated at the source by a qualified electrician
• Plumbing: Water and waste lines must be capped and drained
• Data/communications: Internet or telephone lines should be disconnected
Make sure all service disconnections are certified and documented.
Step 5: Choose and Coordinate the Relocation Method
Decide whether the garden room will be moved in one piece, dismantled or replaced with a new build. If lifting and moving whole:
• Arrange for a crane or lifting equipment and specialised transport
• Protect the structure with packaging/materials to avoid damage
• Coordinate with traffic management if the move extends beyond the property
If dismantling:
• Label all components for correct reassembly
• Store panels, boards and joinery in dry, secure conditions
If building new:
• Create detailed plans showing replication or improvement of the original design
• Identify which components can be reused to reduce waste and cost
Step 6: Transport and Set Down
Once the structure is lifted from its original base, it will be carefully transported to its new position. Specialists will then lower or re?assemble the garden room onto its prepared base. Precision at this stage ensures correct alignment and avoids stress to the structure.
Step 7: Reconnect Services and Commissioning
After the building is seated and level on its new base, services must be reconnected:
• Electrical reconnection by an electrician ensuring compliance with current safety standards
• Plumbing reconnection if applicable, including any drains or appliance fittings
• Heating or HVAC system re?commissioned if present
This phase is crucial to restoring full functionality to your garden room.
Step 8: Final Inspection and Improvements
Once relocated and reconnected:
• Check doors, windows and seals for alignment
• Inspect internal finishes for movement or damage
• Test ventilation and insulation performance
• Consider site integration such as steps, decking, pathways or landscaping
A final sign?off ensures the building is ready for use and matches your original intent.
Regulatory and Permission Considerations
Moving a garden room can trigger planning or building regulation requirements, depending on the location and use. Key considerations include:
Planning Permission: Changing the location of a garden room may affect whether it still qualifies under Permitted Development rules. Setbacks from boundaries, height and coverage of the site may differ, so it’s sensible to check with your local authority.
Building Regulations: While small garden rooms used as ancillary spaces often avoid full building regulations approval, relocating and adding services (such as plumbing or internal heating) may trigger approval requirements.
Insurance: Update your home insurance policy to reflect the relocation and any new services connected. Failure to do so may affect claim eligibility in the future.
Cost Implications of Moving a Garden Room
Relocating a garden room typically costs more than leaving it in place, and in some cases can approach the cost of building a new garden room. Factors influencing cost include:
• Size and weight of building
• Accessibility and lifting requirements
• Distance between old and new site
• New base/foundation preparation
• Service disconnection and reconnection
• Specialist transport and lifting equipment
• Labour for dismantling and re?assembly
• Regulatory or surveying fees
As a rule of thumb, smaller structures on simpler bases will be less costly to move. Larger buildings with integrated services and permanent foundations will cost significantly more. Always obtain detailed, itemised quotations rather than relying on rough estimates.
When Relocation Might Not Make Financial Sense
There are times when relocation is simply not practical or cost?effective:
Extensive Plumbing or Bathrooms: Buildings with integrated bathrooms or kitchens may require substantial service work that increases cost dramatically.
Poor Access: If access to the original or new site is restricted, specialised equipment may be needed, adding cost.
Structural Age: Older buildings may not survive the stress of lifting and transport, making re?use risky.
Ground Conditions: If the new location has poor soil, steep gradients or requires extensive groundwork, that may tip the balance toward new construction.
If the cost of moving nears or exceeds the cost of a new build—especially when adding upgrades—a fresh build with salvaged components may be more sensible.
Benefits of Relocating a Garden Room
Despite the cost and planning involved, relocation offers real benefits:
• Retains value of existing investment
• Adapts to evolving garden or property layout
• Enables reuse of quality structures rather than waste
• Can coincide with renovation or repurposing of space
• Improves functionality when oriented or positioned better
Relocation can give new life to a space and increase satisfaction and utility.
Risks and How to Mitigate Them
Moving a garden room carries risks including:
Structural Damage: During lifting or transport the structure could be stressed. This can be mitigated by hiring professionals experienced in moving buildings.
Service Damage: Poor disconnection/reconnection can cause leaks or electrical faults. Always use qualified tradespeople.
Regulatory Compliance: Failure to check permissions may result in enforcement action. Always consult local planning/building control before commencing.
Weather or Timing Issues: Poor weather during transport or installation can cause delays or damage. Plan for dry, calm conditions if possible.
A comprehensive project plan with contingencies minimises these risks.
Post?Relocation Maintenance and Care
After moving a garden room, carry out a maintenance inspection. Check seals and flashings, look for settlement cracks, test services, and confirm that windows and doors open/close smoothly. A maintenance plan ensures the relocation remains successful.
Dependable garden rooms require periodic checks on roofing, cladding, foundations and services—just as any structure does.
Final Thoughts
Moving or relocating a garden room is a significant yet achievable project when approached with proper planning, realistic expectations and the right professional help. While not every garden room is worth—or suitable for—relocation, many can be successfully lifted, transported, and re?based in a new location where they will continue to offer comfort, usability and value. The key to success lies in thorough surveys, careful logistics planning, appropriate foundation preparation, skilled service work and diligent commissioning.
Whether you’re refreshing your garden design, preparing to sell your home but want to take a valuable garden room with you, or simply adapting to new usage needs, relocation is a realistic option when executed properly. Spend time in the planning phase, get expert advice and build a budget that reflects the complexity of the work involved, and you’ll be well placed to enjoy your garden room in its new home.