Decking, Patio and Shed Specialists

Should I work with a professional when selecting my patio, decking, shed or summerhouse?

Your chosen specialist will run through your options based on your available budget and space, and discuss potential stumbling blocks such as building regulations and planning approval. A shed is typically counted as a temporary structure but every planning authority will vary in its requirements and shed builders can help work through this with you. Many summerhouses on the other hand will warrant planning permission due to their size and more permanent nature. When it comes to patio installation, or decking installation, you will certainly find working with decking installers and patio pavers will lighten the workload and ensure your new garden feature offers a great outdoor space for years to come! You may also want to work with a garden design professional to plan your garden space before engaging a patio or decking installation professional.

Should I opt for a shed or a summerhouse?

This decision may in the end come down to the space you have available for your garden room. Today, there are many specialist shed builders that offer high quality sheds in attractive and colourful designs that can easily be transformed into compact outdoor rooms. At its simplest construction, a garden shed is obviously a very useful storage place, whilst a summerhouse typically works as a real garden showpiece, there as a garden room to be enjoyed come rain or shine. And it can be constructed in almost any style you wish. How about a traditional log cabin or something more contemporary such as an energy-efficient modular design or a Scandinavian summerhouse of interlocking construction? Customise your summerhouse with lighting, heating and even internet connectivity depending on the core use, whether that’s a separate workspace, home gym or sun-bathed hideaway. A summerhouse can look overbearing if it’s more than a quarter of the total size of your garden so, again, check with your specialist to see how big is too big.

Should I opt for a patio or decking?

Patios are a great place to entertain friends and family over a juicy barbecue and bottle of wine on a balmy summer’s evening. A patio looks particularly good at the front of a large garden, teamed with cast iron patio furniture, and can be constructed from a number of different materials such as stone, brick and concrete. Your patio designer or patio installation specialist will be able to plan an attractive patio design which can range from a simple regular tiled layout to complex mosaic patterns.

Alternatively, hardwood decking is another great way to bridge indoor and outdoor areas, separated by sliding or French doors. If your garden is lower than your home, consider asking your decking installation professionals to raise the deck to the level of the floor so you can step seamlessly outside. And it needn’t be a standard rectangular decking installation either. Go with the flow and add a curved border, accentuated by decking lights. If the kids are making you climb the walls, ask your expert to help you design a low-level play area, painted in bright colours and incorporating a sand pit. No kids? A gazebo or pergola will go well with that timber decking installation – the perfect spot for reading or snoozing.

Important questions to ask your patio and decking installers or summerhouse and garden shed builders:

• Are you a member of a trade association such as the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) or the Timber Decking & Cladding Association (TDCA)?
  
• Do you carry out both decking installation and patio installation?
  
• Do you design and build both sheds and summerhouses?
  
• Where do you source your materials?
  
• Have you completed a project like this before?
  
• Please can I speak to previous clients or read their feedback?
  
• What is the most difficult part of this job and how would you tackle it?
  
• How safe is this proposal?
  
• Does your proposal require building regulations and planning approval?
  
• Please can you run me through the project and suggest a schedule of work?
  
• Who will be doing the work?
  
• Are your sub-contractors fully qualified and accredited (by NICEIC in the case of electricians, for example)?
  
• Is your quote inclusive of VAT, all labour and materials?
  
• What happens if the cost subsequently increases?
  
• Is your work guaranteed and under warranty?
  
• What maintenance is required?
  

Find patio or decking installers, or shed or summerhouse suppliers, on Houzz.
Search in the Find a Pro section of the website for patio and decking installers as well as shed builders and summerhouse manufacturers. You can also look through photos to find examples of decks and patios that you like, then contact the decking installation professionals who worked on them. Or look for photos of summerhouses or sheds that are tagged with the suppliers information.