FAQ's
Our most frequently asked questions
Here are a few of the questions our clients commonly ask - covering aspects of how we build, what to expect when we're on-site, and how we look after your property and your neighbours.
If you have a question that isn't listed here, send it to us using the form below and we'll answer it right away (we might even add it to the list!).
Build FAQs
Frequently asked questions
on the process of the build
Briefly, yes. It will be necessary for us to access your consumer unit (fuse box) in order to connect power to your new building, and we may need access to your web router in order to connect an internet cable. This may of course involve a little drilling, but we aim to keep the work to a single day and minimise disruption.
Other than that, if you have an outside tap and an outside socket, we're pretty much self-sufficient. We have a portaloo delivered at commencement and we have our own drinks-making facilities so we won't need access for 'welfare' reasons.
Please give us a call to discuss. This will depend on your individual circumstances and of course the layout of your house. However, if there is any way for us to access the garden directly, even if that means temporarily removing a fence, we'd much rather do that - because a lot of long and/or large parts will need to be brought in over the course of the build.
Yes we will! We don't expect our customers to do any ground works except for removing anything you want to keep (e.g. the contents of existing sheds). We'll clear the area (including knocking down existing outbuildings), level if it required, and then install our incredible ground screw foundation. All of this is included in the price we give you.
Of course the cost of one of our buildings depends on a range of factors, including the specification of the building itself, the location and any existing structures. However, if you know the size of the building you require, you can work out an approximate all-in price by using a rate of £2,000 per square metre. We'll be able to confirm the validity of this when we visit the site for the first time.
When we say 'all-inclusive price' we do mean everything - ground works, foundation, design, manufacture, installation, electrical and network connection, as many sockets and lights as you need, full plastering, decorating, flooring...and VAT of course... all included.
Depending on the complexity of the design, we may require a small design deposit when we start work to design your garden room. Once the design is complete and you've signed it off, we normally require a deposit of 70% of the build cost, including VAT. Finally, when the garden room is complete, the remaining 30% of the build cost becomes due for payment. We are happy to discuss alternative terms to suit your individual circumstances if needed.
Kani.House is part of Outsideology Limited. We started life as a specialist builder of astronomical observatories, and Outsideology remains the market leader in the UK for observatories now. We launched Kani.House in 2018, as a separate brand in order to give a dedicated home to our more general garden buildings. We also build other garden structures such as verandas and pergolas through our third brand, Veranda Bros.
Suffice it to say, if you can dream it and you want it in your garden, we'll probably be able to design and build it!
Yes! Our buildings are very well insulated (better than most houses) and have A+ rated windows and doors. As a result, they require very little heat to stay warm. We install a small electric radiator to keep them heated and this is enough to make sure they're warm and toasty all winter long.
That's what we promise - that your building will be comfortable all year round. The way we achieve this is through careful design and energy modelling. We make sure there are sufficient overhangs to prevent overheating from sunlight (and sometimes we use special solar energy rejection glass) - and the high level of insulation we use keeps the heat out as well as in! So - whether it's a blazing hot day or a freezing cold one... your garden room will be as inviting as ever.
Very! Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do... indeed we actually developed our unique build technology with the intention of building zero-energy homes. You can find out more about our commitment to sustainability on our blog page.
Yes - but it could lead to your garden building requiring planning permission when it otherwise might not. Skylights add a little bit of height, so if you are building within two metres of your boundary (the fence, hedge or wall between your property and your neighbour's), the overall height of the building is limited to 2.5m - which doesn't leave room for a skylight.
We can't answer for your individual circumstances and would always recommend you contact your local authority for advice. However we generally design our buildings to comply with 'Permitted Development' rules - so if these apply to your property, you usually don't need planning permission.
Materials FAQs
Frequently asked questions
on the materials we use in our buildings
Whilst we can clad your building in any suitable timber or composite cladding, our favourite product (and by far the most popular choice with our clients) is called "HardiePlank". It's made by James Hardie, an American manufacturer and is a fibre/cement composite, made to look like painted cedar wood. The product actually contains no wood at all, which means it never rots, but more importantly it's dimensionally stable - unlike timber it doesn't shrink, warp, crack or twist.
The finish is a factory-applied coating in one of about 30 colours - each of which is guaranteed for 10 years but expected to last about 30 years. For us, it's a fantastically consistent and beautiful finish and our clients absolutely love the fact that it needs no maintenance beyond the occasional wash with a hose!
For more information on HardiePlank, see James Hardie's Website or contact us for a sample of your chosen colours.
Yes. No animal products are used in the construction of our garden buildings.
Yes and no. A roof with grass isn't suitable for our construction (the heavy weight of grass and soil would require larger timbers which would result in an unacceptable loss of headroom). However we can offer various other 'green roof' options such as sedum moss roofs.
Absolutely! Full electrics, including as many sockets and lights as you want, and connection to your house electrics, is included in the price of all our garden buildings. We've also installed full bathrooms, sinks and showers in previous projects so we're no strangers to plumbing either. All notifiable works (including electrics covered by Part P) are tested, verified, certificated and notified to your local Building Control Body by our own team.
Team FAQs
Frequently asked questions
About our team
Briefly, yes. It will be necessary for us to access your consumer unit (fuse box) in order to connect power to your new building, and we may need access to your web router in order to connect an internet cable. This may of course involve a little drilling, but we aim to keep the work to a single day and minimise disruption.
Other than that, if you have an outside tap and an outside socket, we're pretty much self-sufficient. We have a portaloo delivered at commencement and we have our own drinks-making facilities so we won't need access for 'welfare' reasons.
Please give us a call to discuss. This will depend on your individual circumstances and of course the layout of your house. However, if there is any way for us to access the garden directly, even if that means temporarily removing a fence, we'd much rather do that - because a lot of long and/or large parts will need to be brought in over the course of the build.
We do everything we possibly can to protect your garden before and during the installation of your garden room. This means putting protective barriers around trees where necessary, covering delicate ground/lawns with walking boards (which are removed each evening), and keeping dust and debris under close control. When the project is finished we want some nice photos ... so we're well incentivised to minimise damage and we'd expect to leave the garden much as we found it - but with a shiny new garden room in it!
We do everything in our power to keep your neighbours happy. Our staff are always cheerful and will say hello to them if they pass, and we're never too busy to have a chat over the fence if they have any concerns (though we will refer them to you for any contentious issues of course). We don't work outside of the hours of 8am to 6pm and keep noise to a minimum. On previous projects we've set quiet times so that neighbours can take conference calls etc., so we're very flexible.
With regard to specific impacts on neighbours, such as deliveries, concrete mixing lorries or waste removal trucks, we'll take the initiative and let your neighbours know if we're likely to inconvenience them for more than a couple of minutes.
Not at all. As long as we have access to power and water (an outside tap is fine), we don't need you to be around, and some of our previous clients have even been out of the country while we've built their garden studios. We're completely self-sufficient and whilst we'll rarely refuse a piece of cake if offered (hint, hint!) our staff always bring everything they need.
Our staff are all thoroughly trained, and many hold City & Guilds qualifications for their specific trades. We take a great pride in developing all our staff (from our labourers to our directors) to improve their skills - and in return we expect work of an exceptional standard... because that's what our clients expect!
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