Garden office on the cheap

callmeted

Hi all,

Obviously in the current climate, I’m thinking about how I can best work from home, especially now I’ve been told it’s not likely I’ll return to my office in earnest  until 2021. I live in a 3 bed house with a garden, but imminently expecting 2nd child so our spare room will soon be unusable!

I’m considering spending money on a garden office, though with baby coming can’t spend a huge amount - maybe c.£5k. I have just enough level space at end of my garden measuring 12’x8’, and have seen appropriately sized sheds/summer houses that might do a job, like this:  https://www.diy.com/departments/shire-aster-12x8-pent-shiplap-wooden-summer-house/1305969_BQ.prd .

My thoughts around this:
- I’ll need to use all year, so will need it insulated. Can get away without it for summer months. Same with electricity, though laptop can do a good 4 hours then needs a 45min charge so not too bothered immediately 
- will I need a smaller structure so I can physically get around and treat exteriors annually

- do I need to consider wall thickness if I intend to insulate with proper foil-backed insulation? What about doors/windows?
- is this something I could do myself (and a friend), or better to get a handyman in to do? I like doing DIY but my experience level goes up to Ikea furniture and hanging shelves though I like challenges
- should I just speak to a joiner and come up with something more bespoke? Will it cost as much?

- structure will also need to store stuff already in our shed, lawnmowers, garden furniture etc. 

Am I being unrealistic in exploring this?

Thanks so much in advance!

DevilDamo

I’d be very surprised if you could build or install an insulated outbuilding for around £5k. I met a client recently who has found a company that would supply and fit an insulated metal outbuilding of those dimensions for around £8k and that’s excluding a (concrete) base and any services.

Petriix

You could just about do it. You'd be looking at picking up bits of reclaimed and/or surplus building materials. There's lots of information on how to do it.

ka7e

A log cabin might be easier to insulate - this one has the option of an Ecobase fastfit floor, guttering, pressure treatment etc for under £3,500. - https://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/log-cabins/billyoh-devon-log-cabin/19810 . Or office plus shed option https://billyoh.com/travis-pent-log-cabin/28270.

-taff

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4UDFzeOPhEkPJMuIqoVqTA

detailed how to if you fancy a go.

Dab122

Hi, I too started looking for a potential garden office. I came across the company below who have a range of kit building that seem reasonable.

https://www.gardenaffairs.co.uk/our-ranges/garden-offices-studios/

united4ever

Dab122 said:

Hi, I too started looking for a potential garden office. I came across the company below who have a range of kit building that seem reasonable.

https://www.gardenaffairs.co.uk/our-ranges/garden-offices-studios/

@Dab122 Did you ever go with this? Looking at one which suits my needs ('Montreal' since it has a bit of outdoor covered space where I could dry my laundry on showery days). Would be looking to get them to do assembly too but looks like if you are more than 100 miles from Bath it is POA so maybe costly.

urbansense

Hi, I am looking to get a garden office from these guys https://summerhouse24.co.uk/garden-offices/ and would be grateful to know if anyone has experience buying from them? Thanks

Windofchange

I’m planning a 4x3 metre garden gym / office presently and have costed it at 4K ish with a standard spec, I.e nothing fancy, just four walls and a few plug sockets. I am going to be doing all the work myself however with a bit of help for the heavy stuff from my brother (hopefully). A lot of that budget is on the trifold sliding door I want, so if you went standard patio doors you could probably knock a grand or so off that. 

I’m not a professional builder or tradesman but would call myself an advanced DIY’er. There are some great videos on YouTube that will give you an idea if what is involved if you fancy rolling up your sleeves and I’d say there is little about it that is massively complicated. Famous last words perhaps. 

Have a look at ground screws which I will be using for the foundations, and then it’s a case of building your frame and eventual building ontop of those. Having knocked down and rebuilt a number of internal walls plus / minus plumbing in my lifetime I’m hopeful that it won’t be too hard. If I mess up then at least it’s just the bottom of the garden so I’m not going to wreck the house!

Bendy_House

Windofchange said:

I’m planning a 4x3 metre garden gym / office presently and have costed it at 4K ish with a standard spec, I.e nothing fancy, just four walls and a few plug sockets. I am going to be doing all the work myself however with a bit of help for the heavy stuff from my brother (hopefully). A lot of that budget is on the trifold sliding door I want, so if you went standard patio doors you could probably knock a grand or so off that. 

I’m not a professional builder or tradesman but would call myself an advanced DIY’er. There are some great videos on YouTube that will give you an idea if what is involved if you fancy rolling up your sleeves and I’d say there is little about it that is massively complicated. Famous last words perhaps. 

Have a look at ground screws which I will be using for the foundations, and then it’s a case of building your frame and eventual building ontop of those. Having knocked down and rebuilt a number of internal walls plus / minus plumbing in my lifetime I’m hopeful that it won’t be too hard. If I mess up then at least it’s just the bottom of the garden so I’m not going to wreck the house!

If you could post a thread on here once you get started to show the progress, that would be fab - pleeeez :-)

Rosa_Damascena

With the surge in homeworking, there was a massive demand on sheds / outbuildings and pandemic conditions meant that the supply couldn't match demand, leading to huge delays.

I managed to get a shed up just in time to decant my garage, but it was a good 8 week wait from Feb to April last year. Has this now changed?