What is a garden annexe?

A garden annexe is a single-storey building in the garden with its own living space, bathroom and often a kitchenette, used by relatives, older children or guests. Unlike a garden room, it is built as habitable accommodation with foundations, insulation and services.
How much does a garden annexe cost in Folkestone?
In Folkestone, a garden annexe typically costs £2,000–£3,150 per m² of floor area, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). For a typical 35 m² project that is roughly £70,000–£110,000. We start from a UK-wide guide and adjust it for the South East, where labour and materials are typically about 12% above average. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| Smaller project (24 m²) | £48,000–£75,500 |
| Typical project (35 m²) | £70,000–£110,000 |
| Larger project (49 m²) | £98,000–£154,500 |
| Rate per m² | £2,000–£3,150 |
What moves the price most:
- Heating type
- Kitchen and bathroom
- Drainage connection distance
- Cladding and finishes
Use the guide price tool to see how size and specification change the figure, then ask for a written, itemised quote.
Do you need planning permission for a garden annexe in Folkestone?
Before anything is built in Folkestone, we confirm which approvals apply in England. In England an annexe used as living accommodation usually needs planning permission. Outbuildings built under permitted development must be incidental to the house, such as a gym or office, not a bedroom.
Building regulations approval comes from the council’s building control service or a registered building control approver. The work is inspected at key stages, such as foundations, drainage and insulation, and a completion certificate is issued at the end.
We check this for your address before design work starts, so there are no surprises later.
What we handle
What we take care of:
- Kitchenette and shower room
- Insulated walls and roof
- Foundations and drainage connections
- Building control sign-off
- Planning drawings and application
- Electrics and heating
How long does it take?
Allow 10 to 16 weeks on site. Before that, surveys, drawings and approvals usually take 3 to 4 months, longer if the council asks for changes.
Building in Folkestone
The South East has a broad mix of housing, from Victorian terraces in the towns to post-war semis and newer estates, so extension types vary street by street.
Folkestone sits in Kent, about 31 miles south-east of Maidstone. We cover the whole of Folkestone, including postcodes CT19.
How it works
- 01
Survey and brief
We visit, discuss your ideas and budget, and survey the property or site at no cost.
- 02
Design and fixed quote
Drawings, structural calculations and an itemised, fixed price for the agreed specification.
- 03
Permissions sorted
Applications, building control and neighbour arrangements, all before the start date.
- 04
Build and sign-off
We run the build to a written programme and hand over the completion certificate.
Questions about garden annexes in Folkestone
Who approves a garden annexe in Folkestone?
Planning matters in Folkestone go to the council covering your address, and the work needs building control approval. We prepare and submit the applications for you.
Will council tax apply?
Annexes can be banded separately, though discounts or exemptions apply in some cases when occupied by family. Check with your council.
Can it be accessible?
Yes. Level access, wider doors and a wet room can be designed in.
How much does a garden annexe cost in Folkestone?
In Folkestone, a garden annexe typically costs £2,000–£3,150 per m² of floor area, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). A typical 35 m² project comes to roughly £70,000–£110,000. Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.
Does it need building regulations?
Yes, as it contains sleeping accommodation and services.
