Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about our installation service, products, and process. If you cannot find the answer you are looking for, please do not hesitate to contact our team and we will be happy to help.

Payments

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept all major payment methods, including debit cards, credit cards, and bank transfer. You can pay in whichever way is most convenient for you.

Is there a benefit to paying by bank transfer?

Yes — customers who pay by bank transfer receive a 2% discount on their order. This is our way of passing back the card processing fees that we would otherwise be charged by our payment facility, and we think it is only fair that saving goes directly to you rather than to a payment provider.

Bank transfer is also the fastest way to get your installation booked in. Card payments can sometimes be held by payment processors whilst they carry out fraud and chargeback checks, which means we cannot confirm your booking or begin ordering materials until the funds have fully cleared. Bank transfers clear quickly and allow us to get your project moving without delay.

When do I need to pay?

We require 100% payment upfront before we place your order — with the exception of any interior works, which can be paid at any point up to just before that phase of the build begins. This gives you plenty of time to finalise your interior specification whilst your building is being manufactured. Over the weeks between ordering and delivery, we will work through every detail with you — lighting positions, cladding colours, electrical requirements, bespoke joinery — so that by the time your installation date arrives, everything is perfectly planned and priced with no surprises.

Returns & Cancellations

What is your returns policy?

Because your building is manufactured specifically for you — built to your exact dimensions and specification — it cannot simply be resold to another customer. For this reason, before we place any order we will ask you to either:

• Sign a 14-day cooling off period waiver, allowing us to place your order immediately; or
• Wait the full 14 calendar days before we proceed with the order

We will never place an order until one of these conditions has been met. You can read more about your cancellation rights and the waiver on our cooling off period waiver page.

Delivery

How is my building delivered?

Your building is delivered as a kerbside delivery by our third-party manufacturer. This means the delivery vehicle will bring your building to the kerbside outside your property, and our team will move all components to a safe location within your garden.

Will your team be on site on delivery day?

We always aim to have our installation team on site on the same day as your delivery. Where possible, we will begin foundation work on the morning of delivery day so that as soon as your building arrives, we can move everything safely into the garden and get straight to work. We stay in close contact with both the manufacturer and you throughout the process to coordinate this as smoothly as possible.

In some cases, kerbside delivery may arrive later in the day than anticipated. If this happens, your building components may need to remain in a safe location overnight until installation continues the following morning. We will always keep you fully informed if this is the case.

Weather

Will bad weather affect my installation?

Weather is outside of our control, and occasionally it does affect what we can do on a given day. However, we come prepared. We carry large gazebos with us on every job, which allow us to cover the entire working area — including your building components and our tools — whilst we work. This means we can continue in most weather conditions without compromising the quality of the build.

In gardens where space is more limited and full coverage is not possible, some components may get wet during the build process. This is normal for timber construction and does not affect the structural integrity of the building. Very little holds us back, and we will always communicate openly with you if weather is likely to cause any delay.

Our Credentials

Are you registered installers?

Yes — we are registered installers for a number of leading manufacturers and product ranges, including:

• Firestone RubberCover — EPDM flat roofing systems
• Velux — roof windows and skylights
• Alwitra — flat roof waterproofing systems

Our team has also trained at the Master Roofers Centre in Manchester, meaning that when it comes to slate and pitched roof installations, we know exactly what we are doing. Some of our team members have over 20 years of experience in this field, and that knowledge is actively passed on to every new member of the team.

Are you insured?

Yes — we are fully insured up to £1,000,000. We are happy to provide a copy of our insurance policy to any customer at any time, simply ask us.

Are you VAT registered?

Yes — we are VAT registered. All prices displayed on our website are fully inclusive of VAT. The price you see is the price you pay — there are no additional charges added at checkout or on invoice.

Our Service

Why should I choose Bespoke Oak and Slate?

Because this is all we do — and we do it exceptionally well. We are not a general building company that occasionally installs garden buildings on the side. Garden rooms, summer houses, carports, and outdoor structures are our entire focus, and that level of specialisation shows in the quality of our work.

We operate with a dedicated team for every aspect of the build. Our flooring specialists only lay floors. Our plasterers only plaster. Our installation team only assembles the outer shell. Every person on site is an expert in their specific discipline — not a generalist trying to do everything at once. The result is a higher quality finish, a faster build, and a structure that is built correctly from the ground up.

Can you install on any site?

Yes — we install across Mainland UK and can work on virtually any site. If you have any concerns about access or ground conditions, please mention this when you contact us and we will advise accordingly.

Do you install anything larger than a garden room?

Absolutely. Our capabilities extend well beyond garden rooms and summer houses. We regularly install and build:

• Glamping pods — for residential and commercial glamping sites
• Annexes — self-contained garden annexe buildings
• Large log cabins — including commercial-scale buildings for caravan parks and holiday sites
• Oak frame structures — including large bespoke pool rooms, entertainment buildings, and architectural oak frames
• Commercial and hospitality buildings — we have the connections and experience to price and deliver virtually any bespoke large-scale project

Whatever you have in mind, get in touch and we will get everything priced before the job starts so you know exactly what you are paying for.

Design & Customisation

Can I mix and match the exterior cladding?

Absolutely. We can do virtually anything you can imagine when it comes to the exterior of your building. If you want your garden room to complement or match your house, we will make that happen. Popular options include:

• Natural slate exterior panels
• Western red cedar cladding
• European oak cladding
• Burnt larch (shou sugi ban / charred timber)
• Composite cladding in any colour
• Mixed material combinations — for example, slate lower panels with cedar above

If you have a specific idea or material in mind, tell us and we will make it work.

Can I choose the direction of my cladding?

Yes — we go into great detail with every customer about exactly how they want their building to look. You can choose horizontal, vertical, or diagonal cladding, mix colours and materials, and specify exactly where you want features such as spotlights, strip lights, or architectural details. No two buildings we install are identical.

Can you build a bar inside my garden room?

Yes — we can build whatever the customer wants inside their garden room. Bars, bespoke joinery, built-in fridges, wine coolers, shelving — if you can imagine it, we can build it. Just let us know what you have in mind when you enquire and we will factor it into the build plan.

Can you install a sauna inside a garden room?

Yes. We can install a sauna within a large garden room as part of the overall build. This is something we plan carefully at the design stage to ensure the structure, ventilation, and electrical supply are all specified correctly from the outset.

Can the building take heavy equipment such as a gym or pool table?

Yes — our buildings are engineered to take significant loads. However, it is important that you tell us what is going inside before we begin the installation, so that we can specify the correct foundation and floor build-up for the intended use. A gym with heavy free weights or a full-size pool table requires a different foundation approach to a standard garden office, and we need to know this at the planning stage.

Windows & Doors

Do you install the windows?

Yes — we install all windows ourselves as part of the build. Here is how we handle different window types:

• Single pane windows (standard on most summer houses) — sealed with clear silicone for a clean, weathertight finish
• UPVC windows — fully installed by our team
• Aluminium windows — fully installed by our team
• Specialist glazing (such as AA5 bifold or large sliding door systems) — we may arrange for the manufacturer’s own installation team to fit these, ensuring the warranty and specification are fully maintained

If any windows arrive damaged, we will request a replacement immediately. All window installation costs are included in your quoted price — there will be no unexpected charges.

Painting & Finishing

Will you paint my summer house?

We will not paint your summer house. Painting is a skilled trade in its own right and, to achieve a truly professional finish, we recommend engaging a qualified painter and decorator — or doing it yourself if you prefer.

What we will do is seal all external timber as part of the build using Smart Seal timber sealant, which provides up to 10 years of protection in a clear finish. We are currently working on introducing tinted options, but for now the sealant is clear only. This is included in your price as standard.

Electrics & Technology

Do you fit electrics, lighting, and technology?

Yes — we fit a full range of electrical installations within our garden buildings, including:

• Spotlights and recessed lighting in any configuration
• LED strip lighting — internally and externally
• Speakers and ceiling-mounted audio systems
• Air conditioning units
• Built-in appliances including fridges and wine coolers
• Electrical sockets, USB points, and data connections

We discuss every detail with our customers before the build begins — from the colour temperature of the lighting to the exact position of every socket and switch.

Structure & Build Quality

What is a SIP panel and why do you use them?

SIP stands for Structural Insulated Panel. Our garden rooms are built using SIP panels rather than traditional timber stud frames with insulation batts between the timbers. Here is why that matters:

• SIP panels are engineered to millimetre precision by our third-party manufacturer, ensuring a perfect fit every time
• They are structurally superior to standard timber frame construction and can carry significant loads — including heavy roofing materials such as natural slate
• They are Passivhaus compliant, meaning they provide exceptional thermal performance — keeping your building cool in summer and warm in winter, with no cold bridging
• They are not simply timber frames with a little Rockwool stuffed between the studs — they are proper structural building panels used in high-performance residential construction

This is one of the reasons our garden rooms are priced at a premium compared to lesser alternatives — because they are genuinely better buildings.

What is included in the price as standard?

Our prices are set nationally — the same fair price for every customer across the country, with no postcode lottery. Within our standard price you receive:

• Timber sealing — all external timber sealed with Smart Seal, providing 10 years of protection in a clear finish
• Composite base — your building is lifted off the ground on a composite base rather than sitting directly on timber. Most companies build on timber, which absorbs moisture and eventually rots. Ours does not.
• Rodent and pest barrier — wire mesh installed around the perimeter beneath the building to prevent rats, mice, and insects from nesting underneath
• Breathable membrane and air gaps — correctly specified underfloor build-up to ensure the building breathes and moisture cannot accumulate beneath the structure

Why won’t you install standard shed felt on the roof?

Because it is not good enough. Standard shed felt has a very limited lifespan and is one of the most common causes of premature deterioration in garden buildings. We will not install it on any building we are responsible for.

• Flat roofs — upgraded to EPDM rubber roofing, a professional-grade waterproofing membrane used on commercial and residential flat roofs
• Pitched roofs — we offer an upgrade to Britmet composite slate tiles. We strongly recommend this to every customer — it costs more, but the difference it makes to the lifespan and appearance of your building is significant

Foundations

What foundation options are available?

We offer a full range of foundation solutions including ground screws, floating concrete slabs, composite pads, and composite frames on existing paving. See our ground screw foundations page for more detail on our preferred method.

What if the wrong foundation is needed once you arrive on site?

This will never be a problem. We bring every possible foundation type with us to every installation. Whatever the ground conditions turn out to be on the day, we will always have the right solution on the van and we will always be able to complete your installation.

Delivery & Lead Times

How long will delivery take?

Delivery lead times are typically between 2 and 8 weeks from the point of order, depending on the manufacturer’s production schedule. SIP panel garden rooms are built to millimetre-perfect specification and cannot be rushed. We will keep you informed throughout and confirm your installation date as soon as the building is ready to ship.

Planning Permission & Building Regulations

Do I need planning permission for a garden room or summer house?

In most cases, garden rooms and summer houses fall under Permitted Development rights in England, meaning planning permission is not required. However, the following rules apply:

• The building must be used for purposes incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling — such as a home office, gym, or leisure space. It cannot be used as a separate dwelling without planning permission.
• Maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres
• Maximum overall height of 4 metres for a dual-pitched roof, or 3 metres for any other roof type
• Must not be positioned forward of the principal elevation of the house
• Must be at least 2 metres from any boundary if it exceeds 2.5 metres in height
• Total outbuilding coverage must not exceed 50% of the curtilage of the dwelling
• Additional restrictions apply for listed buildings, conservation areas, National Parks, and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Rules in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland may differ. We always recommend checking with your local planning authority if you have any doubt.

What about access requirements for installation?

We need clear, unobstructed access to your garden. As a general guide:

• A minimum of 900mm clear width through gates or side passages
• Reasonably firm and level ground between the access point and the installation location
• The installation area should be cleared of garden furniture, planters, and any other obstacles before our team arrives

If you have any concerns about access, please discuss this with us before booking.

Still Have a Question?

If there is anything we have not covered here, please get in touch with our team. We are always happy to answer any questions you have before, during, or after your installation.