Bespoke timber catios

Made-to-measure walk-in timber catios with strong welded mesh and a sheltered roof, built to fit your garden or patio. Typical UK prices explained.

In short: A bespoke timber catio is a made-to-measure walk-in cat enclosure with a treated timber frame, welded wire mesh and a full or part roof, built to fit a specific garden, patio or corner. It suits owners who want a secure, roofed outdoor space that keeps cats in and foxes and other cats out. A small bespoke catio in the UK typically costs around £1,200 to £2,200, with larger designs £2,200 to £4,000 or more.

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A bespoke catio is designed around the space you actually have rather than a standard kit size. That matters in UK gardens, where the best spot is often an awkward corner, a narrow side return, a sloping patio or the area beside a wall. Building to measure means the frame can follow the ground, use an existing wall as one side, step around drains and downpipes, and be tall enough for you to walk in and clean comfortably.

The frame is usually pressure-treated softwood, with welded wire mesh fixed under timber battens rather than just stapled, so a determined cat cannot push the mesh away from the posts. A solid or part-solid roof gives shelter from rain and summer sun, and internal shelves, ramps and a bed make use of the height. The result is a permanent structure that should last many years with basic care, and that can be extended later with tunnels or a second section.

What is included

Site survey of the ground, walls, fences and access points
Design sized for the number of cats and the space available
Pressure-treated timber frame fixed to a level base, slabs or ground anchors
Galvanised welded wire mesh fixed under battens, not just stapled
Solid or part-solid roof in polycarbonate or felted boarding for shelter
Lockable human-sized door, with an airlock entry on request
Shelves, ramps or platforms built into the frame
Final check of every join, gap and fixing before handover

Who it is for

Owners who want a permanent, roofed space their cats can use in most weather
Gardens where fences are too low, shared or weak for cat-proof toppers
Awkward spaces such as side returns, corners and sloping patios that kits do not fit
Homes near busy roads, or with foxes and neighbourhood cats visiting the garden
Rescue, elderly, deaf, blind or FIV-positive cats that should be kept from roaming

How much does it cost?

As a guide, a small bespoke walk-in catio in the UK typically costs £1,200 to £2,200, while larger, multi-level or fully roofed designs often run from £2,200 to £4,000 or more depending on size, base work and materials. See our full cost guide.

How it works

How bespoke timber catios works, step by step

Measure and photograph the space

We look at the ground, the height of nearby walls and fences, drainage and where you want access, so the design fits first time.

Agree the design

You choose the size, roof type, door position and internal layout, and we confirm whether the size sits within permitted development limits.

Prepare the base

The ground is levelled, or slabs, gravel boards or ground anchors are fitted, so the frame sits square and cannot be dug under.

Build and escape-check

The frame, mesh, roof and fittings go in, usually in one or two days, then every gap is checked with a cat's squeezing and climbing in mind.

Bespoke timber catios: FAQs

How long does a bespoke timber catio last?

With pressure-treated timber, galvanised mesh and a roof that sheds water, a well-built catio should last 10 years or more. Life depends on keeping the base dry, treating the timber every couple of years and fixing any damage quickly. Timber in direct contact with soil rots fastest, which is why we lift the frame off the ground on slabs, gravel boards or post supports wherever possible.

What size bespoke catio do I need?

For one or two cats, around 2 metres by 1.5 metres of floor with a walk-in height of about 2 metres works well. Height counts as much as floor area, because cats use shelves and platforms at different levels. For three or more cats, or cats that do not get along, go bigger so each cat has its own space and there is more than one route up and down.

Do I need planning permission for a timber catio?

In England, a freestanding back-garden catio is usually treated as an outbuilding under permitted development. If it is within 2 metres of a boundary it should be no taller than 2.5 metres overall. Front gardens, flats, listed buildings and some conservation areas are treated differently, so check your council's guidance before building anything large.

Can you build a catio on grass?

Yes, but the base needs care. Cats can dig and foxes can tunnel, so the frame either sits on a ring of slabs or gravel boards, or mesh is turned in along the ground so nothing can get under. Grass inside the catio can be kept, though many owners switch to bark or paving in heavily used areas because grass gets worn and muddy.