Timber Frame Base Construction Services
  • Timber Frame Bases
  • Ground Screw Foundation System

The timber frame base is an alternative to the concrete base.  We recommend this alternative if there is limited access to the rear of the garden, the base needs to span different levels or you just may not want to have a large slab of concrete in your garden.

There are two alternatives, either casting the structural posts into the ground in concrete or using the Swift Foundation System which you can see examples of in the gallery bellow.  We then build a heavy duty timber deck to place the building on.

For more information or a quotation please do not hesitate to contact us and for more information about the Swift System please click on the link below:

Information coming soon!

  • Garden Gym, Dorset

    “Both myself and partner really notice that the outside office more than need more than a bit TLC and was well due overdue to be repainted to future proof all the timbers of the small office.
    James was able to offer us genuine best advice on which products to use and the best way to ensure that the wood was repainted and maintained to a high standard.
    While James was here his knowledge of construction of these outdoor buildings is second to none. My partner would ask James so many questions about the office interior and all the details of construction. Not just a few questions but a lot of them. Also, more importantly advice on how best use this room work for us.
    We are over the moon with the excellent results. We now have a beautiful room for our gym/crafts/office.
    We both would highly recommend James to anyone looking to build an outdoor space. James is one in a million ultimate professional guy. Without no hesitation we fully recommend James and his company to anyone 100%..
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    Mrs M – Oakdale, Dorset. read more

  • Garden Studio, Hampshire

    “James and team were first class from start to finish and helped us through all aspects of our new log cabin. Incredibly collaborative and helped guide us all the way. James takes great care in providing a top quality finished product and I would absolutely recommend him and his team.” Verified Review By Houzz

    Mr M – Sway, Hampshire. read more

  • Garden Office, Berkshire

    “The Garden Room installed at my home by Garden retreat was done in a very professional manner from start to finish. No hidden extras and all stages of the process conducted with a personal touch, which was very impressive. All standard costs and optional extras were detailed precisely and a sketch was produced to include all agreed requirements. James the proprietor dealt with us exclusively from start to finish visiting the site on at least four occasions. Initially inspecting the proposed site and then giving us the various options with detailed pricing, allowing us to decide the best option which was a 6.8m x 4.8m Garden Room and also explained in detail the concrete base that was required prior to installation, which was carried out by our own builder. We were given a lead time of 7 weeks following the agreement being signed, following which we requested an improvement, and as the concrete base was constructed very quickly to James’s satisfaction, he was in fact able to reduce it to 5 weeks. James was on site on the first day of the installation by 4 operatives and ensured that the whole process was completed in 2 days. A few minor snags were also dealt with very quickly and efficiently. I have no hesitation in recommending Garden Retreat to any potential clients.” Verified Review By Houzz

    Mr M – Ascot, Berkshire.

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  • Timber Garage, Dorset

    “I recently purchased a timber garage / workshop from Garden Retreat Ltd. James was very helpful from the outset, He was happy to come to the site as every stage was completed to advice or check things to enable the final build to go smoothly. He was understanding when changes to the structure were requested and kept good communication at all times.” Verified Review By Houzz

    Mr R – Verwood, Dorset.

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  • Large Wooden Garage, Devon

    “James Parker made sure I was comfortable with the drawings and was on site when the professional team installed my new garages. This is repeat business as I was very pleased the last time I employed Garden Retreat in 2016” Verified Review By Houzz

    Mr S – Kingsbridge, Devon. read more

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    Large Garden Studio, Hampshire

    “Garden Retreat did a great job. James was endlessly accommodating, helpful, and prepared to tweak things so they were just how I wanted them. The install team were very efficient and careful of both the building and the surroundings and cleared up after themselves. Nothing was too much trouble. Very highly recommended and would ask them to come back and do something else in the future.” Verified Review By Houzz

    Mrs R – Hordle, Hampshire. read more

  • Timber Garage, Surrey

    “Great company to deal with, first class communication, building was delivered and built on time, product great value for money, would 100% use them again for any future building required.” Verified Review By Houzz

    Mr S – Bagshot, Surrey.

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    Garden Kitchen, Hampshire

    “My wife and I purchased an apartment and roof garden in an old Georgian House. The garden had been neglected over the years and the existing garden room had deteriorated and required a lot of restoration. We decided that the best option was its replacement and, after much searching of available suppliers, we selected Garden Retreat to supply and install the new garden room. We dealt with James Parker at Garden Retreat and must say that his attention to detail and support for our project was impeccable. He helped us to select a suitable building and guided us through every step of the project. The day of the installation went perfectly with a team of installers completing the whole job in about 3 hours. This involved removing the old structure and installing the new structure on a roof that was three storeys above the ground. We had organised a crane to help with this, but the efficiency and teamwork of the installers was a joy to watch. The result is that we now have a beautiful garden room that we use almost every day. Indeed, we have installed a kitchen so that we can entertain our friends throughout the summer. Our sincere thanks to James and the Garden Retreat team.” Verified Review By Houzz

    Mr & Mrs M – Lymington, Hampshire

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  • Garden POD, Hampshire

    “James and team went above and beyond from conception to completion for my garden studio. James is extremely helpful and communicative and found a number of solutions where challenges existed (given the location of the build etc.). James ensured the build was completed within a specified timeline and with a number of limitations imposed by my diary and the location of the property. The team that built the studio were highly efficient – the build took less than three hours! Finally, the studio looks fantastic…neighbours and friends have commented positively and, I’m sure, many are contemplating getting similar structures constructed in their own gardens!” Verified Review By Houzz

    Mr H – Winchester, Hampshire

     

     

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  • Double Garage, Hampshire

    “Great job from start to finish. Very pleased with our garden room and garage installations. Very well managed throughout, with good quality control, checking of our bespoke arrangements, and onsite visits. Garden Retreat also helped with arranging a base contractor, and liaised and visited to check measurements were correct for the main builds.” Verified Review By Houzz

    Mr S – Shedfield, Hampshire.

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  • Garden Rooms, Hampshire

    “Great job from start to finish. Very pleased with our garden room and garage installations. Very well managed throughout, with good quality control, checking of our bespoke arrangements, and onsite visits. Garden Retreat also helped with arranging a base contractor, and liaised and visited to check measurements were correct for the main builds.” Verified Review By Houzz

    Mr S – Shedfield, Hampshire.

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  • Garden POD, Poole, Dorset

    From start to finish the process was brilliant. We couldn’t believe how quickly our garden office went together on the day! We are so happy with our office, the quality is brilliant and the wood smells so fresh! Thank you for helping us create our dream to work from our garden!”  Verified Review By Houzz

    Ms D – Oakdale, Poole, Dorset.

     

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  • Timber Framed Farm Shop, Worcestershire.

    “After extensive research, we chose Garden Retreat to provide a 15m x 6.1m timber building (including a bespoke porch) for our community shop in Worcestershire 2018, followed by a 3m extension which we added in 2021. James Parker was ever-patient in answering our many questions, the on-site team did a great job, and the finished result has won much admiring feedback.” Verified Review By Houzz

    The Community Farm Shop at Crowle, Worcestershire.

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  • Garden Office, Hampshire

    “Jim and the team were great! Came over several times to make sure everything was correct for the build and was very attentive and quick to respond to all my questions (and there were lots!). Office was installed very quickly on the day and the team were all very nice and helpful. Would recommend Jim and the GR Team!” Verified Review By Houzz

    Mr H – Kings Worthy, Hampshire read more

  • Arched Roof Garden Room, Hampshire

    “I contacted Garden Retreat regarding a Winchester garden office after finding the company on line. Right from the first enquiry through to completion James has been excellent. The quote process was easy and clear, the timescales were very quick in the climate, the workmanship and product are of a very high standard and competitive in terms of price. The team were great to work with and James was easy to contact and very professional. I would recommend them without hesitation.” Verified Review By Houzz

    Mr A – Chandlers Ford, Hampshire

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  • Garden Office Therapy Room, Oxfordshire

    “Garden Retreat were so professional throughout all of my transactions with them. Quick to respond to queries and very helpful with advice. On the day of the instalment, I was so impressed with how efficient the team were. The quality of the garden room is exceptional, I am the envy of the street with my new garden room.” Verified Review By Houzz

    Mrs C – Benson, Oxfordshire

     

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  • Garden Games Room, Hertfordshire

    “From start to finish, James has been so helpful and made sure I understood all my options to help me get the best cabin for my needs all within in my budget. The log cabin is perfect and better than I imagined. It is a gorgeous structure with a lovely finish in the cedar wood cladding. The inside is equally gorgeous. It is very spacious with more than enough room for my home office and a play /games area for the kids.” Verified Review By Houzz

    Mr & Mrs Z – Potters Bar, Hertfordshire

     

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  • Garden Office, St. Albans

    “I want to say, thank you so very much for all your hard work in pulling this project to its final completion. Thank you for your guidance and patience along the way.

    It’s been a 7 year dream and it’s absolutely beautiful. Receiving the build photos along the way has brought me such joy.

    Thank you for working so well with Chris and I’m sorry I couldn’t be there to thank you in person, I will send you photos for your portfolio once the painting has been completed.

    A heartfelt thank you again – I (literally) cannot wait to see it.

    All the very best,

    Beckie”  Verified Review By Houzz

    Ms Rebekah Hanbury – St. Albans, Herts.

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  • Dorset Garden Rooms, Dorset

    “We had some difficulty with our planned garden office due to Listed Buildings Officer requirements. Sent the requirements of LBO with our planned dimensions, and Garden Retreat promptly and carefully came up with a proposal to suit both; the end result was more expensive than planned but the office looks stunning (the cedar cladding is beautiful) and has a higher specification: well worth the extra cost. The communication has been excellent throughout, especially when we had a query with the electric cabling from our electricians – all resolved professionally and efficiently. Some very helpful advice received on protecting the cedar cladding.” Verified Review By Houzz

    Mr & Mrs S – Beaminster, Dorset.

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  • Chichester Garden Buildings, West Sussex

    “Beautiful garden office installed today by a great team. James has been professional, timely and helpful throughout from start to finish and always kept me up to date. The team were punctual and tidy and great to have on site. Delighted with the outcome and would highly recommend. Makes a lovely change to deal with good people, thanks again.” Verified Review By Houzz

    Mrs W – Southbourne, Chichester

     

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  • Wooden Workshop/Garage, Nottingham

    “Excellent product, service and value. From start to finish the project was discussed, agreed and delivered in accordance with my requirements and expectations on time, quality and price. The installation went without a hitch and was completed in just over 1/2 a day. No mess, no fuss just a happy customer. I would absolutely recommend Garden Retreat and should any similar future projects arise I shan’t again spend numerous hours researching which company to employ. If quality and value are important to you I implore you to look no further than this review and give Jim a call now.” Verified Review By Houzz

    Mr V – Cossall, Nottingham. read more

  • Green Retreats, Buckinghamshire

    “The team at garden retreat were very professional and helpful from the start of planning our project. They went out of their way to help us plan and prepare for the arrival of our studio. On installation day we very very impressed with the speed the building went up. It was finished to a high standard and having used it now for a few months we can still find no fault. I would thoroughly recommend using garden retreats for your project.” Verified Review By Houzz

    Mrs & Mrs J – Chesham, Buckinghamshire.

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  • Hampshire Garden Rooms, Hampshire

    “We recently had a really lovely home working area / garden room installed in our little garden and we are delighted . The room has not only enhanced our home but has made our garden feel part of our house . James did everything he said he would do, at every stage was punctual and easy to communicate with. The construction was straight forward and is of a high quality , totally sound proofed and warm and cosy . The cedar stain enhanced the look of the exterior and we got the inside painted which was a great add on . We already spend significant time using it and it was such a great decision to give us space without any hassle.” Verified Review By Houzz

    Mrs & Mrs H – Lyndhurst, Hampshire.

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  • Garden Room, Hertfordshire

    “My daughter’s decision to use Garden Retreat for her new home office was a really good one. I was involved at the installation stage as she was working abroad. James invested a considerable amount of time in helping to design a bespoke product, which included liaising with a specialist window company. He was on site on many occasions before construction started, liaising with a local builder who was building the base and checking the dimensions of the brickwork when it was finished. Nothing was left to chance. He communicated very well and paid a lot of attention to detail. He went out of his way to get some unusual materials for finishing the interior to give an aesthetically pleasing appearance and he installed these himself. He used a local plasterer and electrician and they both did a good job and he supervised them well. The finished product exceeded my expectations.” Verified Review By Houzz

    Dr Chris Hanbury – St. Albans, Herts.

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  • Garden Gym, Hampshire

    “We are absolutely delighted with our garden room and with the amazing advice and support we have received from James Parker. At every step of the way he has guided and informed the decision making process whilst never attempting to impose. He managed the whole process from our first enquiry (with great patience as we revised our thoughts), and was still visiting to check things were ok well after completion. We have no hesitation in recommending James and his company.” Verified Review By Houzz

    Mr & Mrs W – Lymington, Hampshire

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  • Garden Room in Hampshire

    “We had an excellent experience working with James. From the initial consultation & planning, through to the installation itself, aftercare and communication, everything worked well and was delivered smoothly. Pricing was competitive and we’re delighted with the result which now allows utilisation of what was previously a very difficult to maintain section of garden. All in all a great investment and addition to our home.” Verified Review By Houzz

    Mr & Mrs H – New Milton, Hampshire read more

  • Wooden Garage, Hampshire

    “Garden Retreat designed a building that met my needs perfectly. The team that arrived to put the thing up were fast and clean and did a great job. More importantly, James has been on hand to instantly deal with any snagging that came up afterwards (very minor things that we spotted after the build). The result is a beautifully solid workshop and a stress free process throughout.” Verified Review By Houzz

    Mr B – Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire read more

  • Garden Office, Hampshire

     “Efficient, professional service from start to finish – final construction done in a morning.

    The inside and outside of the Garden Retreat are left “raw” so that you can decorate to your own personal taste. Very pleased with James Parker’s work and helpful advice throughout. He worked in tandem with the groundwork and electrician teams, explaining exactly what was required.” Verified Review By Houzz

    Mr & Mrs R, Lymington, Hampshire.

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  • Large Timber Garage, Somerset

    “I am so happy with this garage. Garden Retreat were fantastic, professional at all times and the installation team were a joy to watch. The quality of the building is second to none, so pleased” Verified Review By Houzz

    Mr S, Western-super-Mare, Somerset read more

  • We have found the Garden Retreat team easy to work with – they are clear as to what will be provided in their building and their team members are friendly and hard working.

    We changed the design during the process, and they discussed the details and continued to adjust their quote, to ensure that the correct specification was being provided for the building’s needs.

    The final product – a meeting room in a community garden – was delivered, and we are pleased with the result. The quality of finish is high, and all of the work was completed to a very good standard.” Verified Review By Houzz

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  • “We chose Garden Retreat to install a stand-alone custom garage build in the summer of 2020. Having researched various local options we decided to use James and his team because of the customisable choices with the size of the building, and the different finishes available. We chose the cedar door and roof options with a feathered-edge cladding and the end result is great. From the start of the project right through to the end there was no delay in communications and answers to the many questions we had were answered promptly. The building itself went up very quickly and we are pleased with the quality and sturdiness of the garage. Thanks again and we have already recommended the team to friends and family.” Verified Review By Houzz read more

  • ‘”We are very pleased with our garden room, working with James Parker from my initial email for a quote through all the planning of the nitty gritty details and to completion was very easy. He always responded promptly, either by email or phone call. He was very supportive when we were having trouble with builders getting the base ready. We went and viewed one in Bournemouth prior to committing which was very helpful.” Verified Review By Houzz

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  • ‘With limited space available, Jim and his team from Garden Retreat helped me through the design phase which enabled me to end up with the garden room/office that I was looking for. The quality of build is excellent and I would not hesitate in recommending Garden Retreat for your project.

    PS I have bought shelving, a large desk and a work bench with tool racking so a real man cave. Yet to all be installed but by the time you come next it will be and happy if you wanted to take some more shots. 

    So as an office, work area overlooking garden it’s spot on!’ Verified Review By Houzz

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  • “Grannies Grotto! This has been a fantastic solution to a space problem and my Grand Children love to stay in it when they come to visit.  It is safe and warm all year round and allows me to have all my family to stay whenever they like”.

    “Garden Retreat have kept me informed at every stage and the installation team were very efficient and polite, thank you very much!” Verified Review By Houzz read more

  • “Being a thorough sort of person I researched a number of options for my 20ft x 12ft timber garage and went into great detail, creating spreadsheets and detailing the pros and cons.

    I knew I wanted a quality product and I wanted to have tanalised timber which narrowed the field too.  I was also concerned about the point at which any wood might be sitting in water on the base.

    Garden Retreat ticked all the boxes, the garage sits on 1 course of bricks and the cladding stops short of the base, so even if water does stand on the base it won’t make contact with the wood.  Additionally, Garden Retreat ply line their garage for extra strength and security.  In the end, the choice was easy, only Garden Retreat met all my criteria and they were a pleasure to deal with from pre-order to delivery. The erection was on time, quick and fuss-free and the finished product looks fantastic. Highly recommended supplier!” Verified Review By Houzz read more

  • “We have been very happy throughout the process from design to installation with Garden Retreat.  We were not the easiest of Customers, we wanted a very specific look and detail is important to us.

    James spent a lot of time working with us to ensure all the elements were designed into the building and had a large number of examples of previous projects which demonstrated their ability to provide us with the garden office and store we wanted.

    Finally they worked very well with our garden designers, the installers were polite and cleared up after the timber building had been installed.

    We would be happy to recommend Garden Retreat to any of our friends and would like to thank them for all their efforts.” Verified Review By Houzz read more

  • “James was very helpful and proactive during the design phase and suggested lots of options when we were designing the office. After the installation he was keen to check everything was in order. He was rapid and timely sorting out the minor niggles that occur on any project and made sure that we were completely happy with our office after installation. He was a pleasure to work with and I would recommend his expertise and proactive approach.”. Verified Review By Houzz read more

  • “We sought a non standard design and build to our outline spec for a 10m x 6m garage to be used for classic car storage. We awarded the contract to Garden Retreat in part because of the advice on materials and construction offered by their James Parker. From design through planning approval to construction took 3 months. Erection of the sectional garage took 3 hours (excluding tiling). Brilliant to watch. Price quoted was the price paid. No hidden extras. Well worth taking the elevation drawings to aid planning. Very satisfied with the finished product. Thank you.” Verified Review By Houzz read more

  • “James at Garden Retreat was a true professional and understood straight from the start what we wanted to achieve in building a garden room containing a home gym. His knowledge and experience helped enormously. The room was built on a hill with difficult access but that was not a problem for Garden Retreat. We are so pleased with the end result and it is in keeping with the rest of the house. I would highly recommend James at Garden Retreat” Verified Review By Houzz read more

  • “I contacted Garden Retreat because they were Dorset-based, the right sort of price range and I was looking for  a company who provided individually designed buildings rather than an inflexible standard package.  From the beginning the service was personal, engaged and professional. It was a long journey from design through planning permission and a large amount of ground work to be done before the base could be laid and throughout James Parker remained helpful and available, if needed, with experienced advice. An unexpected but necessary alteration the week before the building was due to arrive was imaginatively  and speedily resolved. The build itself took just two days and I was delighted by the finish inside and the quality of the work. I’m really, really pleased, and the studio is a lovely place to work.” Verified Review By Houzz read more

  • “We were really worried with this project as it was important with a limited budget and the need to provide an annex for my disabled mother we really needed to ensure we chose the right company.

    We are so happy with the service we received from Garden Retreat, they did a fantastic job and my mother has a fantastic annex, thank you so much!” Verified Review By Houzz read more

  • “James and the team at Garden Retreat have been great – I was not certain what I wanted and when I thought I did I then changed my mind (on several occasions). They fulfilled all promises, were flexible and provided a very good quality product at a price which could not be matched.

    I now have an attractive garden building which for me will provide office and storage space.

    I am happy , very happy and so are my neighbours!” Verified Review By Houzz read more

  • “I contacted Garden Retreat as I wanted to have my own beauty salon at home. Being clear about what I wanted Garden Retreat were able to satisfy all my needs including budget and design They also came up with some further ideas enabling me to maximise the space and end up with a fabulous contemporary salon which is a great place to work, not only for myself but also a relaxing environment for my clients. I would highly recommend Garden Retreat’s service.” Verified Review By Houzz read more

  • “Garden Retreat installed a home office for us (including laying of the concrete base). The project was undertaken at the agreed time and there were no hidden or additional costs.

    We are very happy with the end result; an excellent office space that is comfortable to work in and looks good.

    Garden Retreat were highly professional and helpful. A pleasure to deal with.”  Verified Review By Houzz read more

  • “James and Garden Retreat provided a fantastic service from start to finish. They recently built and installed a beautiful bespoke garden office / living space in our back garden. We are delighted with it! The customer service was also truly bespoke. James came to visit us several times throughout the process and was very responsive via telephone and e-mail at any time. He provided really practical, common sense advice and we never felt we were being sold anything at all. The building is beautiful – the bespoke design means it fits perfectly in our space and feels like it has been there for years! The cedar cladding and grey uPVC windows / doors really add a touch of class. Internally the vinyl flooring provided a very nice finish. Importantly also, James and the team that installed the building were respectful, friendly and genuinely nice people. We can highly recommend James and Garden Retreat for customer service and high quality craftsmanship” Verified Review By Houzz

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