Building Noob - Need Some Advice

[JC81]

Hello Everyone,

I am looking for a bit (ok, maybe a lot) of advice. I am a fairly practical person, I can fix a computer, a car, put together IKEA flatpack furniture without swearing etc.

Since the start of the pandemic, I, like a lot of people have been having to work from home. I have 2 young children and we don't live in a massive house, so I find myself spending half of my Teams meetings apologising for the background noise. At this time, fortunately everyone understands and accepts this. I have now been told that even when lockdown restrictions are lifted, our team will continue to work remotely. I am now looking for a more permanent home working solution, where I can focus and be more professional (or at least appear that way ).

I am therefore considering a garden office. We don't have loads of money to splash on having something professionally built, so I am hoping I can do the majority of the building myself, only using professionals for things like the electrics.

The size of the building overall will be 6m wide by 3.5m deep, with a pent roof. I am hoping that if I keep the maximum height to 2.5m, then it can fall within permitted development. I will get confirmation before starting building anyway.

I have considered both wooden and brick buildings and am leaning more towards brick.

The problem I have is, that I understand the basic concept of building; dig foundations, damp proof course, levelled concrete floor, block inner with brick outer and insulation in between etc., but I have no idea how deep foundations need to be, how thick the concrete floor should be, how many blocks & bricks I need, the amount of cement required between the bricks, how to leave spaces for the door and windows, the space required for insulation, type of blocks/bricks (aerated / hollow) etc. I have so many questions, that it is starting to put me off before I have begun

Has anyone else tackled a project like this? Any idea of the overall costs? Any idea about some of the questions above?

Any advice you can give me is greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks,

John

 

[^woody^]

Headphones and noise cancelling mic.

 

[sxturbo]

why not go for a mix of timber and brick.

do the first 2-3 courses in brick, then dpc and then timber frame from there.

unless you good at bricking, doing a hybrid may best suit your budget.

 

[23vc]

I’m planning on doing the same at some point. The way I’d do it, is build up to dpc (finished floor) level in masonry and pour a slab as sxturbo says, and timber frame on top, because I’ve done it before and know it. But a lot of these cabins I see, seem to be timber frame down to the ground, not sure how that works

 

[noseall]

I’m planning on doing the same at some point. The way I’d do it, is build up to dpc (finished floor) level in masonry and pour a slab as sxturbo says, and timber frame on top, because I’ve done it before and know it. But a lot of these cabins I see, seem to be timber frame down to the ground, not sure how that works

I think the biggest mistake folk make in this instance, is when they lay a shed type slab on the ground and expect to plonk their structure straight on that. Then wonder why they get damp from the projecting toe and rotten floor bearer timbers.

 

[mrrusty]

This project I have just finished cost ~£10K in materials https://community.screwfix.com/threads/garage-work-in-progress.222282/page-2

I am now planning a garden room, but this will be timber frame using easypads for the foundation with timber suspended floor, insulated timber frame, again with cement board cladding. This might be easier for a first-build if you are DIYing all of it.

 

[cdbe]

Personally I would go for timber frame, flat roof (you need plenty of insulation in the roof and in the floor - which eats into your 2.5m), cement board cladding - looks good, easy DIY and fire resistant if your building is near boundary. A good insulated timber floor, protected from damp. Mis-measured/surplus windows and doors can be sourced from eBay very cheaply. With some care this could be achieved in the low thousands and built properly will feel like a building, not a garden shed.

 

[cdbe]

Personally I would go for timber frame, flat roof (you need plenty of insulation in the roof and in the floor - which eats into your 2.5m), cement board cladding - looks good, easy DIY and fire resistant if your building is near boundary. A good insulated timber floor, protected from damp. Mis-measured/surplus windows and doors can be sourced from eBay very cheaply. With some care this could be achieved in the low thousands and built properly will feel like a building, not a garden shed.

I've just read your post above mine and it looks like I copied it! I honestly didn't, great minds and all that.......