A detached storage shed, garden room or outdoor office in your garden. In the rear garden zone this is often permit-free. We produce the permit-ready drawing from €895, ready in 4 weeks, usable directly by the contractor or for the permit application.
An outbuilding is a freestanding storage shed, garden room or home office that stands separately from the house in the garden. In the rear garden area this is often permit-free. Tekenpunt delivers the permit-ready drawing from €895, ready in 4 weeks or within 1-2 weeks on an express basis.
An outbuilding stands separately from the house in the garden: a storage unit, garden room, home office or shed. These are the components we draw and check against the permit-free rules.
For a permit-free outbuilding the maximum building height is 3 m with a flat roof. With a pitched roof up to a maximum of 5 m. We draw what is permitted and fits the plot.
Timber frame construction (HSB) is fast and flexible. Masonry is better suited to a brick home. For a habitable room we recommend extra wall insulation (Rc ≥ 3.5).
Custom solutions for light and ventilation. For a garden office or garden room we recommend tilt-and-turn windows and solid glazing for year-round comfort.
An unheated storage room has no insulation requirement. A garden room or outdoor office requires insulation in the roof, walls and floor to be comfortable year-round.
On stable ground a concrete floor on sand (mass concrete) or prefab concrete slabs suffices. On soft ground or for a larger outbuilding, pad foundations or piles are advisable.
Electricity for lighting and sockets is the most frequently requested connection. Water and drainage are technically feasible but require additional work and sometimes a notification to the water authority.
Four questions, about 30 seconds. No obligation.
An outbuilding in the rear garden area of a non-listed property is often permit-exempt if you stay within the permitted coverage percentage and maximum building height. We produce the drawing that complies with the regulations. From €895. Request a no-obligation quote for your exact plot.
Indicative calculator. The drawing is a fixed price; the construction is carried out separately by a contractor or self-builder.
* We handle design and (if required) the building permit. Construction is carried out separately by a contractor; that figure is an estimate based on approximately €1,500 per m². Request a quote for the exact drawing costs.
From a simple storage shed to a fully fitted home office or pool house. We advise on what suits your plot and intended use.
A functional standalone outbuilding for storage, bicycles or garden tools. Timber or masonry, flat roof or pitched roof. In the rear yard area almost always permit-free.
Comfortable habitable space with insulation, electric heating and large windows. Ideal as a home office, hobby room or relaxation space. Liveable all year round.
A high-quality outbuilding with premium finish, covered terrace and full installations. Suitable as a guest room, fitness room or wellness space. A permit is often advisable.
A detached outbuilding stands apart from the house and is often permit-free in the rear garden area. Here is how it relates to a conservatory and a garage conversion.
The Building Decree rules are the same nationwide, but plot size, location and listed-building status determine whether you need a permit. A few typical situations.
Example project · detached outbuilding · permit-free · outdoor office
Challenge: An entrepreneur in Soest had been working from home structurally since the pandemic but had no suitable space. The study was overflowing and the children were a distraction. The wish: a fully equipped home office in the back garden, comfortable and well insulated all year round.
Our approach: We designed an 18 m² timber outbuilding (timber-frame construction) in the rear garden area of a 520 m² plot. Check against the Building Environment Decree rules: less than 50% built coverage, building height 3 m (flat roof), no listed building status. No permit required. We delivered a complete drawing including insulation details and electrical layout, allowing the contractor to start immediately.
Result: A fully secluded workspace 12 metres from the back door. Certified insulation (Rc 4.5 roof and walls), two large north-facing windows for daylight without glare and fibre optic cable laid through the garden. Drawing ready in 4 weeks, construction completed after 6 weeks.
A detached outbuilding offers a lot of freedom but also has limits. What you need to know before you start.
In the rear plot area, non-listed building, flat roof up to 3 m high and coverage below the threshold: an outbuilding is almost always permit-free. For a listed building or on the front plot, a permit is always required. We assess your plot free of charge.
SOURCE · BBL / ENVIRONMENT ACT 2026An unheated storage shed has no insulation requirement. If you want to use the outbuilding as a garden room or outdoor office, the Building Code recommends at least Rc 3.5 in walls, roof and floor for a comfortable indoor climate throughout the year.
ADVICE · Rc ≥ 3.5 living spaceWorking in an outbuilding (home office, studio) is always permitted as long as there are no business visitors. Permanent habitation is only allowed if the zoning plan explicitly permits it, which is rarely the case for a standard residential plot.
SOURCE · Environment Act + zoning planOften not. A detached outbuilding in the rear garden area is permit-free if it meets the rules of the Building Environment Decree (BBL): at most 50% built coverage in the rear garden area, maximum building height of 3 m for a flat roof or 5 m for a pitched roof, and no listed building status. We check it free of charge for your plot.
A permit-ready outbuilding drawing costs from €895. The price depends on the footprint, the intended use and any extras such as a building permit application, 3D visualisation or structural calculation. The construction itself (by a contractor) typically ranges from €10,000 to €45,000 depending on type and finish.
In the rear garden zone you may build permit-free up to a maximum of 50% coverage of that plot section, with a maximum height of 3 m (flat roof) or 5 m (pitched/hipped roof). If you want more than 150 m² of outbuildings or your plot is smaller than 300 m², we check the specific limits for your situation.
Using the space as a home office or studio is almost always permitted, as long as there is no regular client traffic. Permanent residential use is only allowed if the zoning plan permits it, which is rarely the case on a standard residential plot. A garden room or outdoor office for personal use is normally no problem at all.
We deliver the drawing within 4 weeks (express 1-2 weeks). If a building permit is required, allow 8 weeks for the municipal decision period. We handle everything from design to permit application.
Yes. We draw outbuildings and garden sheds across the Netherlands. We do the drawing work remotely; any permit is submitted to your municipality. We know or check the local plot and aesthetic rules for every project.
A fixed-price quote within 1 working day. Free check whether your outbuilding is permit-free. No obligation.