Summary
The "she-shed" or garden studio sits in its own bracket, distinct from both a basic garden shed and a full year-round garden office. It's a personal retreat, craft room, reading room, small gym or hobby studio — a space meant to be genuinely used and enjoyed, usually decorated to a proper finish, almost always wired for light and power, but not necessarily insulated and specified to the same "sit here all day, every working day, through a British winter" standard as a full home-office garden room. That distinction matters for pricing: a she-shed customer wants a lovely, personal, usable space, but they're not always paying for the full insulated-office-grade build spec, and pricing it as if it were a garden office (or as if it were a bare shed) both cause problems — the first overprices a job the customer didn't ask for, the second underprices the base and electrics the job actually needs.
The three cost blocks that matter, in order of how often they're under-priced, are: the base (invisible in the finished photo, genuinely labour-intensive), the electrical supply (always Part P notifiable, easy to underestimate if treated as "just running a cable"), and the finish (painting, staining, interior lining and flooring, which is what actually makes a she-shed feel like a retreat rather than a shed with a nicer name). The timber structure itself, particularly if it's a pre-made kit, is often the fastest and most predictable part of the job.
This guide covers pricing for she-sheds and garden studios specifically — smaller and lighter-specified than a full insulated garden office, but with a genuine finish and power supply, unlike a basic storage shed. For a fully insulated, glazed, year-round home-office spec at a higher price point, see garden room pricing guide. For base construction pricing this guide's figures are built from, see shed base pricing guide. For the planning and Building Regulations framework, see outbuildings regs. For the electrical cable specification for the supply run, see armoured cable.
Key Facts
- What distinguishes a she-shed/garden studio from a full garden office — it's specified as a personal retreat or hobby space, not a full working-day office; insulation and heating are common but optional rather than assumed, and IT/data cabling is rarely part of the scope
- Typical sizes — 2.5×2.5m (6.25m²) up to 4×4m (16m²); beyond this the pricing and build approach converges with a full garden room
- Base options — paving-slab base (cheapest, suitable for light, uninsulated structures), concrete slab (standard for medium/large or insulated units), ground screws (fast, good on slopes)
- Electrical supply is always notifiable — installing a new circuit to any garden building is notifiable work under Building Regulations Approved Document P, regardless of the building's floor area, planning status, or Building Regulations exemption
- SWA (steel-wire armoured) cable — the standard supply cable for a dedicated garden building circuit, buried at a minimum of 450mm in open ground; see armoured cable for gland types and burial depth by location
- GPDO 2015 Schedule 2 Part 1 Class E — most garden studios qualify as permitted development if single storey, within the eaves/overall height limits (2.5m eaves; 2.5m overall within 2m of a boundary, otherwise 3m flat roof / 4m dual pitch), not forward of the principal elevation, and total outbuilding coverage stays under 50% of the curtilage
- Building Regulations exemption thresholds — a detached garden studio up to 15m² with no sleeping accommodation is fully exempt from Building Regulations; 15-30m² is exempt if sited at least 1m from any boundary or built substantially of non-combustible material; over 30m² or with sleeping accommodation, Building Regulations apply
- Insulation is a spec choice, not a given — a she-shed used seasonally (spring-autumn craft/reading room) can reasonably be built without full insulation; year-round use (a proper studio or workspace) needs insulated walls, roof and floor, which materially increases both structure and heating-circuit cost
- Timber treatment — pressure-treated timber to BS 8417:2024 is the minimum specification for ground-contact or exposed structural timber
- Roof covering — shed felt (cheapest, 10-15 year life), mineral felt shingles (better appearance, 20+ year life), or EPDM rubber roofing for flat-roof studios (25+ year life)
- Decking/veranda — a common she-shed add-on for a step-free entrance or a small outdoor seating area; priced as a standard decking job scaled to area
- Lighting and power circuit is the minimum electrical scope — even a basic she-shed with no heating typically wants a lighting point and at least one double socket, which still requires a certified, notified circuit
- Painted/decorated finish — feature exterior paint or stain, and an interior finish beyond bare OSB/plywood, is a defining part of what makes a "she-shed" rather than a shed — budget this as a genuine decorating line, not an afterthought
- VAT — standard rate 20% applies; no reduced rate available for this type of build
- Lead time — typically 1-3 weeks on site once the base has cured, for kit assembly, electrics and finishing; base curing time (concrete) adds 3-7 days before load-bearing work can proceed on top of it
Quick Reference Table
Spending too long on quotes? squote turns a 2-minute voice recording into a professional quote.
Try squote free →| Build scope | Typical cost (ex VAT) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic — up to 2.5×2.5m (6m²), paving-slab base, uninsulated, lighting + socket circuit | £2,600-£3,700 | Simple seasonal-use studio; no heating |
| Medium — 3×2.5m to 3.5×3m (9-12m²), concrete base, insulated, dedicated circuit + wall heater | £8,500-£11,500 | Most common year-round she-shed/studio spec |
| Large/premium — 4×3m to 4×4m (12-16m²), reinforced base, fully insulated, bifold/French doors, decked veranda, dedicated circuit + heater | £16,000-£23,000+ | Converges toward full garden-office pricing; see garden room pricing guide beyond this size |
| Base only (paving slab, small) | £350-£700 | See shed base pricing guide |
| Base only (concrete slab, medium studio footprint) | £1,200-£2,000 | See shed base pricing guide |
| Electrical circuit only (lighting + socket, existing structure) | £400-£650 | Part P notifiable regardless of scope |
| Electrical circuit only (dedicated heater circuit, existing structure) | £900-£1,400 | Larger cable/submain, sub-CU way |
| Exterior decorating/feature finish (existing structure) | £250-£450 | Two-coat paint/stain, small studio scale |
| Decked veranda add-on (per instance, ~6m²) | £900-£1,300 | Priced as standard decking work |
Figures exclude VAT and any bespoke furniture, curtains or interior décor items supplied separately from the build.
Detailed Guidance
Base — the invisible cost line
A she-shed base needs to do two things a basic shed base doesn't always need to do: sit flat and level under a properly finished, painted structure (any base movement shows immediately in cracked paint and sticking doors, unlike a rough-and-ready storage shed), and, for insulated medium/large studios, support a heavier structure than a light timber shed. A small, uninsulated basic studio can sit on a well-prepared paving-slab base; a medium or large insulated studio, particularly with glazed doors, is better served by a proper concrete slab.
The most common quoting mistake is treating the base as "the same as a shed base" without adjusting for the extra weight of insulation, cladding, and glazed doors, or without checking ground conditions properly. Survey the site — slope, soil type, tree roots, and access for materials — before pricing the base, not after. Full base construction detail and 2026 UK material costs are covered in shed base pricing guide, which this guide's base figures are drawn from.
Electrical supply — always notifiable, size it to the actual use
Every she-shed or garden studio with any electrical supply — even a single lighting point and one socket — requires a new circuit run from the house consumer unit, and that circuit is notifiable work under Building Regulations Approved Document P regardless of the building's size, its planning status, or whether it's exempt from Building Regulations as a structure. This surprises some customers (and some tradespeople quoting outside their own trade), who assume electrical notification only applies to "proper" buildings.
Scope the electrical circuit to the actual intended use:
- Lighting + socket only — a basic circuit sized for a light fitting and a double socket for a lamp, phone charger, or small appliance; typically the minimum viable spec for a seasonal-use studio
- Dedicated heater circuit — if the studio is to be used year-round, a wall-mounted panel heater or small oil-filled radiator needs its own circuit (ideally its own RCBO way) so a heater trip doesn't take out the lighting mid-use
- SWA cable, buried at minimum 450mm — the standard submain specification for the run from the house to the studio; see armoured cable for gland selection and burial depth by location, and for load calculation guidance on heavier loads, see garden room pricing guide
Always confirm at survey whether the existing consumer unit has spare capacity for a new way — a she-shed circuit needing a consumer unit upgrade is a cost that should be identified before quoting, not discovered on install day.
Worked example — small basic she-shed, uninsulated
Scenario: 2.5m × 2.5m timber-framed studio kit, paving-slab base on a flat, accessible garden, painted feature exterior, single lighting point and a double socket wired from the house.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Site clearance and paving-slab base (~7m² footprint) | £520 |
| Kit delivery and positioning | £70 |
| Assembly labour (timber frame, roof felt, door/window fitting) | £480 |
| Guttering (small run) | £90 |
| Exterior paint/stain, two coats, feature colour | £260 |
| Interior lining and flooring (basic, unheated) | £340 |
| Electrical: SWA run (8m), lighting point, double socket, Part P cert | £520 |
| Waste removal and site clean | £60 |
| Cost subtotal | £2,340 |
| Margin (30%) | £702 |
| Quoted price (ex VAT) | £3,042 |
| Quoted price (inc VAT) | £3,650 |
Worked example — medium insulated studio with dedicated heater circuit
Scenario: 3.5m × 3m insulated timber studio, concrete slab base, glazed door, insulated lined interior with vinyl flooring, dedicated electrical circuit with lighting, sockets and a 2kW wall-mounted panel heater.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Concrete base (10-12m² including excavation, hardcore, C25 slab) | £1,450 |
| Kit delivery and positioning | £140 |
| Structure assembly (insulated frame, cladding, roof) | £2,400 |
| Glazed door and window fitting | £680 |
| Guttering and fascia | £180 |
| Interior lining (insulated plasterboard/OSB) and skim/paint | £780 |
| Flooring (vinyl over insulated subfloor) | £420 |
| Electrical: SWA submain (12m), sub-CU, lighting circuit, sockets, dedicated heater circuit, Part P cert | £1,350 |
| Exterior decorating (feature paint/stain) | £320 |
| Waste removal and site clean | £110 |
| Cost subtotal | £7,830 |
| Margin (28%) | £2,192 |
| Quoted price (ex VAT) | £10,022 |
| Quoted price (inc VAT) | £12,026 |
Worked example — large premium studio with veranda
Scenario: 4m × 3.5m fully insulated studio, reinforced concrete base, cedar cladding, bifold doors, small decked veranda (~6m²), dedicated electrical circuit with lighting, sockets, external light and a heater.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Reinforced concrete base (14-16m²) | £2,200 |
| Delivery and crane assist | £220 |
| Structure assembly (fully insulated frame, cedar cladding, roof) | £4,600 |
| Bifold/French doors and windows | £1,850 |
| Veranda decking (~6m²) | £1,050 |
| Guttering and fascia | £260 |
| Interior lining, insulated ceiling, skim/paint | £1,350 |
| Premium flooring (engineered wood/vinyl) | £780 |
| Electrical: SWA submain (20m), sub-CU (4-way), lighting, sockets, heater circuit, external light, Part P cert | £1,750 |
| Exterior decorating/staining | £480 |
| Waste removal and site clean | £150 |
| Cost subtotal | £14,690 |
| Margin (25%) | £3,673 |
| Quoted price (ex VAT) | £18,363 |
| Quoted price (inc VAT) | £22,036 |
Where builders lose money on she-shed jobs
- Pricing the base as "just a shed base" for an insulated, glazed studio — a heavier, insulated structure with glazed doors deserves a proper concrete slab, not a paving-slab base sized for a light shed
- Underestimating the finish — she-shed customers are buying a personal retreat, not a storage shed; the decorating and interior-lining line is what delivers that feel and should be priced accordingly, not squeezed to fit a shed-assembly day rate
- Treating the electrical circuit as an afterthought — every she-shed circuit, however small, is Part P notifiable; skipping proper certification or under-pricing the cable run is a common source of both compliance and margin problems
- Not surveying ground conditions and access before quoting — a sloped or poorly accessible garden can substantially increase base and materials-delivery costs, and this needs to be caught before the price is given
- Missing the boundary between she-shed and full garden office — once a customer wants full IT/data cabling, a full working-day heating spec, and premium bifold glazing across a 20m²+ footprint, the job has become a garden office and should be scoped and priced as one, see garden room pricing guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a she-shed need planning permission?
Usually not, provided it stays within the permitted development limits under GPDO 2015 Schedule 2 Part 1 Class E — single storey, within the eaves/height limits, not forward of the principal elevation, and total outbuilding coverage under 50% of the garden. It must also remain ancillary/incidental to the main dwelling (a personal retreat or hobby space qualifies; a self-contained annexe with sleeping accommodation does not). See outbuildings regs for the full permitted development and Building Regulations framework.
Does a she-shed need Building Regulations approval?
Usually not, if it's under 15m² with no sleeping accommodation (fully exempt), or between 15-30m² and sited at least 1m from any boundary. Above 30m², or if it's used for sleeping accommodation, Building Regulations apply regardless of how the building is otherwise described or marketed. The structure's exemption from Building Regulations does not exempt the electrical installation from Part P notification — those are two separate compliance requirements.
Can I run power to a she-shed with just an extension lead?
No. This is not a compliant or safe approach for a permanent garden structure — extension leads are not rated for continuous outdoor exposure, are a trip and fire risk run through doors and over damp ground, and do not satisfy Part P notification requirements. A proper SWA submain to a certified, notified circuit is the only acceptable specification for permanent power to a she-shed or garden studio.
Should I insulate a she-shed even if the customer only wants seasonal use?
It's worth raising at quote stage even if not specified — many customers who initially describe "just a spring/summer craft room" end up wanting to use it in autumn and early winter too once it's built, and retrofitting insulation into a finished, painted structure is far more disruptive and expensive than specifying it at the outset. Present it as an option with the cost difference clearly shown rather than assuming either way.
What margin should I target on a she-shed or garden studio build?
25-30% is typical, in line with other garden structure work — push toward the higher end on smaller, simpler jobs with an existing suitable base, and toward the lower end on larger jobs involving multiple trades (groundworks, carpentry, electrical, decorating) where cost variability is higher and coordination overhead increases.
Regulations & Standards
Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, Schedule 2, Part 1, Class E — permitted development rights for outbuildings within the curtilage of a dwelling
Building Regulations — Schedule 2 exemptions — floor area and boundary-distance thresholds determining whether a detached garden building needs Building Regulations approval
Building Regulations Approved Document P — notifiable electrical work; applies to any new circuit run to a garden building regardless of the structure's own regulatory status
BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 (IET Wiring Regulations) — governs the design, cable sizing and earthing of the electrical supply and circuits within the studio
BS 8417:2024 — timber preservation specification; minimum treatment standard for ground-contact and exposed structural timber
Planning Portal — Outbuildings and Garden Structures — permitted development guidance
garden room pricing guide — full insulated, glazed, year-round garden office pricing for jobs that exceed she-shed spec and scale
shed base pricing guide — base construction pricing this guide's base figures are drawn from
outbuildings regs — full permitted development and Building Regulations framework for garden buildings
armoured cable — SWA cable specification, gland types and burial depth for the electrical supply run