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Free Garden Room & Extension Guides
In-depth, plain-English guides to planning permission, building regulations and buying a garden room or extension — written by the team who design and build them across the West Midlands.
- Written for England, updated for 2026
- Checklists you can print
- No obligation
Choose your guides
Everything you need to know, before you build
Pick one or all four. Each guide is a comprehensive PDF with diagrams, worked examples, checklists and a jargon buster.
17 pagesGarden Room Planning Permission Guide
Permitted development, height and boundary rules, using it for business, Lawful Development Certificates and applying for planning.
- The 2.5m and 2m boundary rules explained
- When business use needs planning
- Six real-world scenarios
- Printable planning checklist
18 pagesGarden Room Building Regulations & Compliance Guide
When a garden room is exempt, electrics and Part P, drainage, fire safety, annexes and the paperwork you should keep.
- 15m² and 30m² thresholds made simple
- Electrics, drainage and fire safety
- Using it for business or as an annexe
- Compliance checklist and handover pack
19 pagesHome Extension Planning & Building Regulations Guide
Permitted development, prior approval, planning applications, building regulations, party walls and build-over agreements.
- 3m, 4m, 6m and 8m rules explained
- Why a 3m extension still needs building regs
- Party Wall Act notices and timings
- A typical project timeline
18 pagesGarden Room Buyer’s Guide
Our practical guide to planning your garden room properly — purpose, size, position, specification and comparing quotes.
- Choosing the right size and layout
- Insulation, condensation and ventilation
- Electrics, heating and finishes
- How to compare quotes like for like
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What happens next
- Your guides open straight away on the next page.
- We email you a link so you can find them later.
- Want advice on your plot? Book a free survey whenever you’re ready.
Why we ask for your details
We check your email, phone and postcode so your guides reach you and so we know the area you’re in. We never sell your details, and we only contact you about your project if you tick the box.
Our guides are general information about the rules in England as at October 2026. They are not legal, planning or building control advice. Always check the position for your property with your council or a qualified professional before you start work.
Questions
About our free guides
Are the guides really free?
Yes. There’s no charge and no obligation. We create them because informed customers make better decisions — and we’d rather you came to us knowing exactly what you want.
Why do you need my address and phone number?
So we can make sure the guides reach a real person, and so that if you ask us to, we can give advice that fits your area and property. We only contact you about your project if you tick the box.
Do the guides apply where I live?
They cover the rules in England. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have different rules, and your council may have local restrictions.
Can I rely on the guides for my planning or building control decisions?
No. They are general information to help you understand the rules and ask the right questions. Always confirm the position for your own property with your council, a building control body or a qualified professional.
Can I unsubscribe or ask you to delete my details?
Yes, at any time. Just email oaklightgardenrooms@gmail.com and we’ll update or remove your details.
Prefer to talk it through?
Book a free, no-obligation site survey and we’ll tell you exactly what applies to your property.
