Covering Hatfield
Hatfield sits 5 miles east of St Albans, with Welwyn Garden City 3 miles to the north and St Albans 5 miles to the west.
Homes in the East of England
Across the East of England, newer estates often have integral garages and room for rear extensions, while older towns have Victorian terraces and conservation areas that shape what can be built.
What goes into a garden annexe?
A garden annexe is a separate single-storey building in the grounds of a house with its own bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette, used by family members as part of the main household. Unlike a garden office, an annexe that people sleep in normally needs planning permission and full building regulations approval.
- Brick, block or timber-frame structure
- Heating, hot water and electrics
- Accessible design options for older relatives
How much does a garden annexe cost in Hatfield?
Indicative costs for garden annexes. London and the South East usually sit towards the top of each range.
| Garden annexes | Guide price incl. VAT |
|---|---|
| Standard specification | £2,400 to £2,900 per m² |
| Good specification | £2,900 to £3,400 per m² |
| High specification | £3,400 to £3,900 per m² |
How is a garden annexe approved in Hatfield?
Projects in England go through two separate checks. Planning (or confirmation that the work is permitted development) comes from the district, borough or unitary council, and building regulations approval comes from the council’s building control team or a registered building control approver. Where work touches a shared wall or digs near a neighbour’s foundations, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies.
A self-contained annexe used for sleeping and living normally needs planning permission in England. Permitted development for outbuildings does not cover living accommodation.
What should I think about before starting?
- Drainage may need a pump if the garden falls away from the sewer.
- Council tax treatment depends on who lives there; check with your council.
What happens after I enquire?
- Start with a conversation. A short call or the online form is enough for us to understand what you want to build.
- We visit and measure. A surveyor checks the house, the boundaries and the ground, and discusses what is realistic.
- Price and paperwork. The design is priced line by line, and we submit the planning and building control applications.
- Build and hand over. Our teams build to the programme, building control inspects, and you get the completion paperwork at the end.
Questions about a garden annexe in Hatfield
How much does a garden annexe cost?
Around £2,400 to £3,900 per square metre including VAT, depending on finish and services.
Can I rent the annexe out?
Usually not without a separate planning permission, because councils normally require it to stay part of the main house.
Who deals with the council for a project in Hatfield?
We do. We prepare the drawings, submit planning or permitted development paperwork if needed, and arrange building control inspections.
Garden annexes near Hatfield
- Garden annexes in Welwyn Garden City
- Garden annexes in St Albans
- Garden annexes in Potters Bar
- Garden annexes in Hertford
Learn more about garden annexes, or see every project we cover in Hatfield.

