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Recommended summer house / log cabin ?

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Hi

I hope this is the right section to post in... We are looking for a reputable summer house / log cabin company. We are after a roughly 10 x 8 foot size glorified shed to sit in in the summer (i.e. in the rain!).:)

However, the one company I narrowed it down to has a pretty poor reputation on these boards (Dunster House).

So who else? I think ilikesheds is good value but don't look to be as high quality as Dunster.

Does anyone have any positive experiences of summer house erection?

Cheers :money:
«1

Comments

  • Hintza
    Hintza Posts: 19,420 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Up by us we have a guy who builds sheds/stables/kennels to your spec. Try and find one near you, he will be a bit more expensive but the quality should make up for it. (Spec the roof up a bit if you want my advice).
  • hc25036
    hc25036 Posts: 387 Forumite
    Same answer from me - we have a shed/workroom that cost about 15% more than an off-the-shelf option but quality is a million times better and the guys who built it are nearby and will sort out any future problems.
  • alij
    alij Posts: 9 Forumite
    I have a 3mx3m Coronet log cabin from Dunster House. My husband erected it by himself (even though it said 2 man) and did a great job. I use it for storing and making all my various crafts. I did a lot of searching and thought this was the best.I was not disappointed. My husband put electricity in so i have light and a little electric heater. I love it.
  • fredy5
    fredy5 Posts: 39 Forumite
    Hintza wrote: »
    Up by us we have a guy who builds sheds/stables/kennels to your spec. Try and find one near you, he will be a bit more expensive but the quality should make up for it. (Spec the roof up a bit if you want my advice).

    Hi, Thanks for the reply, but did you employ a carpenter? I have had a quote but that was an absolute fortune compared to the off the shelf designs... cheers, F
  • Hintza
    Hintza Posts: 19,420 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    fredy5 wrote: »
    Hi, Thanks for the reply, but did you employ a carpenter? I have had a quote but that was an absolute fortune compared to the off the shelf designs... cheers, F


    I would suggest the problem is you approached a carpenter who doesn't specalise in sheds etc. The chap I was talking about all he does is wooden structures.
  • sunshinetours
    sunshinetours Posts: 2,854 Forumite
    Yes find a local shed maker - we have several close by and one did ours about 3/4 years ago and it was not much more expensive than an off the shelf one either. It is alos much better insulated which would all have been extra. Roof and wall insulation is a must if you want to use it year round or be comfortable in height of summer. Without it they get red hot in summer and freezing in winter.
  • beaker141
    beaker141 Posts: 509 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts
    I had a similar arrangement - of my own making though. Building regs stipulate an external door between the house and conservatory.

    We put in internal glazed (8 Panel I think) double doors to seperate them and it was generally fine then - freezing cold in the tory but ok in the kitchen - probably a little bit of heat loss but nowhere near what you'll have with the opening.

    We had 2 largish double radiators in there, and only turned them on half hour before we wanted to use the room and then turned them off. It heated up pretty quick - and cooled down pretty quick too.
  • I have registered with this site specifically to warn of Dunster House. Be warned there is NO GUARANTEE on their cabins and any problems will be met with 'wood is a natural product - see our disclaimer'.

    We bought a double thickness Hudson cabin and paid £1500 for erection on top of the price of over £4000. Within 2 weeks of erection, the interior boards had separated by several fingerbreadths to expose the silver insulation in a number of places and in some places exteriorly.

    6 months later and numerous emails (you can never speak to a customer advisor) we have had absolutely no joy from them except to offer to correct the work for another £450!!

    I could write a book with all the photos I have sent and exchanges with the company we have had but will leave it at that. I have serious doubts as to the legitimacy of their customer satisfaction ratings on their website.

    Our experience has been sickening having paid so much money to be left high and dry with a product not fit for purpose until we pay to get it sorted out.

    PLEASE BE WARNED!
  • danemi1
    danemi1 Posts: 1,353 Forumite
    My friend bought her summer house from here and was absolutely delighted

    http://www.waltons.co.uk/summer-houses/
  • We use Bertsh-Holzbau and Palmako buildings as they are both very good quality buildings. The quality of windows and doors are great.
    As for customer satisfaction after builds depending on the distance i would usually make contact with a local joiner and talk him through the building just in case any problems arise. Never had a problem yet
    Timberheart
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