Building a shed office (help!)

jussterr

I'm planning on building a shed office come summertime, provided we get more than 1 day of sunshine this year and I am settled into my new home by then

The style I'm interested in is contemporary with a shed roof for modern feel and easy maintenance.

I don't really want to hire a specialised company for the project because prices start at around £10k for the sizes I need (10 x 8 foot) and I enjoy a bit of DIY so it'll be something to keep me busy. I've got a budget of £6,000 for the project and I want to build the shed on top of a deck.


My initial concerns are:

1) Is it viable to build it on top of a decking? How should I build the foundation?
2) What type of cladding should I use? It needs to be of a decent quality as I will be spending lots of time working in it.
3) How much would it cost to call in an electrician to run cable through the garden and into the shed? (Let's assume it's relatively small garden 10 metres in length.)

One option I've looked into is buying a flat pack from a shed company like Skinners. The 'studio summerhouse' from Skinners Sheds would cost just under £2000. It comes as a shell and I would provide my own interior insulation, doors and windows. That leaves me £4000 for the interior, electrician/cable, decking, windows/door and heating (wood burning stove.)

It is possible for me to buy cladding/battens from a wood supplier for less than that? I've had a look at Wickes but fear I am looking in the wrong place as they only stock shiplap that's far too thin to be of any use in a project like this. I was thinking of using tongue & groove but haven't dismissed shiplap. Western cedar is my preference, oak and other high quality woods would be ok too.

Has anyone embarked on an adventure like this before? I hear these things are getting quite popular.

ormus

buy a used caravan/mobile home instead.
500-1000 quid.

LandyAndy

ormus wrote: »

buy a used caravan/mobile home instead.
500-1000 quid.

Sure to endear you to your new neighbours.:)

skylight

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bespoke-garden-rooms-workshops-sheds-garden-office-/120682710566?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Garden_Structures_Fencing_CV&hash=item1c19400626

This company advertise on Ebay (hence the link!) Fully insulated place for halfish of your budget. So a home office and a holiday out of your money!

jussterr

ormus wrote: »

buy a used caravan/mobile home instead.
500-1000 quid.

I want to build a shed and you're telling me to buy a caravan? Where's the confused smiley?

skylight wrote: »

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bespoke-garden-rooms-workshops-sheds-garden-office-/120682710566?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Garden_Structures_Fencing_CV&hash=item1c19400626

This company advertise on Ebay (hence the link!) Fully insulated place for halfish of your budget. So a home office and a holiday out of your money!

Had a look and to be honest I was hoping to build something of a bit higher quality. The cladding on that doesn't look like it'll last very long. Also I'll be needing lots of light for the workspace. Thank you for sharing though. Appreciate it!

andrew-b wrote: »

For the base i'd highly recommend Ecobase. I bought ours from here.

I've come across that before! Thanks for the link. Will definitely keep it in mind as I'm trying to cut my carbon footprint (this time I'm not just using words to cut it, I swear :P)

bobhawke

Decking isn't meant to be built on but you could, depending on the quality of it. If it is 33mm thick decking, joists 450-600mm apart, plenty of noggings, supported properly by many well concreted in posts then yeah you could.

Don't go to wickes for a project like this, try a timber or builders merchant.

You could do as Ormus says and buy a caravan, if you don't like it looking like a caravan just build a shell around it to make it look like a building, summerhouse or shed.

Check that whatever you are planning isn't so large that you end up needing planning permission or building regulation approval.

jussterr

bobhawke wrote: »

Decking isn't meant to be built on but you could, depending on the quality of it. If it is 33mm thick decking, joists 450-600mm apart, plenty of noggings, supported properly by many well concreted in posts then yeah you could.

Don't go to wickes for a project like this, try a timber or builders merchant.

You could do as Ormus says and buy a caravan, if you don't like it looking like a caravan just build a shell around it to make it look like a building, summerhouse or shed.

Check that whatever you are planning isn't so large that you end up needing planning permission or building regulation approval.

Thanks for the advice, it did become apparent to me that Wickes wouldn't be able to supply me with the essentials for this project so I'm only looking to them for wallboards and insulation.

The caravan really is not an option for me. I do need lots of light and my plan was to have at least 1 floor-ceiling window and double door at the front of the shed so it would be impossible to hide the caravan anyway. Not to mention I have no idea how I'd even get a caravan into the garden if I end up buying a mid-terrace (likelihood is high).

My plans are within limitations and won't require planning permission so that's one less thing to worry about.

Is it an option to build the shed and then build the deck around it? Or would it be easier to just make sure the deck is solid enough to support the shed.

Mankysteve

If your going design from scratch. Use stuff like overhang on the roof that blocks out the summer sun and lets the winter sun in during winter months

jussterr

Mankysteve wrote: »

If your going design from scratch. Use stuff like overhang on the roof that blocks out the summer sun and lets the winter sun in during winter months

Yep! Got that one down. It looks good too IMO.

socks_uk

andrew-b wrote: »

For the base i'd highly recommend Ecobase. I bought ours from here.

Thank you for your link. I too am going to have a go at building my own shed from plans in a book I bought in Canada. I'm (hoping to) build a barn style shed a bit like the one in the link below but not so tall and without a window. Wish me luck!

http://www.homedepot.com/Storage-Organization/h_d1/N-5yc1vZas7e/R-202545042/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

sunshinetours

For something as small as 10 x 8 why not consider using used sleepers as a base. Can't get a lot greener than using something that has been around for years already.
Personally I would look to "cut" a section into the deck so that the base is below the existing deck and on solid ground. Any wooden building needs a solid secure and level base to avoid problems in the future

http://www.railwaysleeper.com/Jason%20Coomb%27s%20railway%20sleeper%20project.htm