Garden studio above 30m2 with high ceiling and breeze block construction - how much?

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Hi everyone,

I’m planning to build a large garden art studio (bigger than 30m²) and need advice on breeze block construction. Most search results focus on small prefab garden rooms, but I’m after something more like a garage or workshop—solid, durable, and cost-effective.

I know it will need to be no larger than 50% of the garden space.

Key Features:
Size: Likely 40m²+
Height: One long side needs to be tall for the painting wall
Construction: Breeze block walls with flat or pitched roof, and double glazing, electric and plumbing for a washup area. Floor ideally waterproof. Walls covered in plywood ideal for stapling canvas and paper easily.
Insulation: Probably cavity wall + insulation, but open to advice
Budget: Looking for a cost-effective build, not a high-end architect project.

Questions:
1. Anyone built something similar? Any case studies or photos?
2. Cost Estimates – What did you pay for materials & labour?
3. Best Way to Find Builders? Would general builders or garage builders be best?
4. Planning Permission & Regulations – Any issues with getting approval for a large outbuilding?
5. Roof RecommendationsEPDM flat roof vs. pitched felt/tiled roof?
6. Best insulation approach for a blockwork studio?

I’d love to hear from anyone who has built a workshop, artist studio, or large outbuilding with similar construction. Any tips, photos, or builder recommendations would be massively appreciated!

Thanks in advance!
 
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Hi everyone,

I’m planning to build a large garden art studio (bigger than 30m²) and need advice on breeze block construction. Most search results focus on small prefab garden rooms, but I’m after something more like a garage or workshop—solid, durable, and cost-effective.

I know it will need to be no larger than 50% of the garden space.

Key Features:
Size: Likely 40m²+
Height: One long side needs to be tall for the painting wall
Construction: Breeze block walls with flat or pitched roof, and double glazing, electric and plumbing for a washup area. Floor ideally waterproof. Walls covered in plywood ideal for stapling canvas and paper easily.
Insulation: Probably cavity wall + insulation, but open to advice
Budget: Looking for a cost-effective build, not a high-end architect project.

Questions:
1. Anyone built something similar? Any case studies or photos?
2. Cost Estimates – What did you pay for materials & labour?
3. Best Way to Find Builders? Would general builders or garage builders be best?
4. Planning Permission & Regulations – Any issues with getting approval for a large outbuilding?
5. Roof RecommendationsEPDM flat roof vs. pitched felt/tiled roof?
6. Best insulation approach for a blockwork studio?

I’d love to hear from anyone who has built a workshop, artist studio, or large outbuilding with similar construction. Any tips, photos, or builder recommendations would be massively appreciated!

Thanks in advance!
I once built a very tall art studio for a lady in staffs....
















 
I once built a very tall art studio for a lady in staffs....
This looks really nice! That's the kind of thing I'm thinking of, though maybe not quite as high and with a sloping roof rather than pitched so it's tall at the painting wall end.

This looks like you used the 4m permitted gable height?
In my case I would be limited to 3m for pitched roof, but that would suit my requirement better than having height in the middle of the space.

In my case it would be a bit more bare bones inside, but would need to be insulated for all-year round use.

What's the budget for something like this? Feel free to dm me if that's private information.
 
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It was about £65k back in 2015. It will be nearly double that now.
Wow ok thanks, and in London maybe even more. I was thinking more around £50-60k mark.
Do you think it would be possible to build something s lot simpler for that?
What elements contribute the most to cost?
 
Do you think it would be possible to build something s lot simpler for that?
Between a low end garden shed and a bespoke building with architectural features, there are a billion spec's in between
What elements contribute the most to cost?
Insulation, exterior décor cladding, roof, wall/floor finishes, plumbing/electrics, services to the building i.e. drains/power/internet, fitted bespoke elements, structural beams (bigger buildings).
 
I was thinking more around £50-60k mark.
Do you think it would be possible to build something s lot simpler for that?
I would say its doable

you have a realistic budget, unlike some people who think it could be done for like £6k

bear in mind if its closer than 2m to the boundary or higher than allowed it will need planning permission
over 30sq metres you will need building regs anyway

design wise, keep the shape rectangular, ideally with a flat or shallow sloped roof.

if you are happy with plywood interior for walls and maybe painted timber sheets for the ceiling, you will save on plastering and decorating


Probably a cavity construction in blockwork would be cheapest and you could batten the outside, have timber cladding on the sides of the building you see and just rendaboard or steel box section for the sides facing the fence.

have upvc windows and doors -in fact if you really want to save money, buy some which are mis measures which are cheap
 
I would say its doable

you have a realistic budget, unlike some people who think it could be done for like £6k

bear in mind if its closer than 2m to the boundary or higher than allowed it will need planning permission
over 30sq metres you will need building regs anyway

design wise, keep the shape rectangular, ideally with a flat or shallow sloped roof.

if you are happy with plywood interior for walls and maybe painted timber sheets for the ceiling, you will save on plastering and decorating


Probably a cavity construction in blockwork would be cheapest and you could batten the outside, have timber cladding on the sides of the building you see and just rendaboard or steel box section for the sides facing the fence.

have upvc windows and doors -in fact if you really want to save money, buy some which are mis measures which are cheap

Thanks, yes I am hoping to keep 2m from the boundary so I can have the height I need without planning hassles.
If I keep to building regs as I understand it planning is not required.

So I would need:
plumbing and electric - I will supply a steel wash trough like the ones used in print studios
concrete foundation
cavity block construction in a single one-room space, around 40m2
roof sloping up to rear with 3m height
plywood interior and ceiling cladding rather than plasterboard
floor maybe waterproofed somehow - maybe concrete
cladding to front and rendered sides and back
windows and doors, possibly skylights depending on budget

That's a good starting plan!
 
Often possile to find brand new mismeasure doors windows from suppliers at cheap prices then design to them rather than t'other way round. You can get seconds of Celotex and the like (an odd corner doesn't matter if you are filling gaps between studs).

How good are your diy skills
 
Wow ok thanks, and in London maybe even more. I was thinking more around £50-60k mark.
Do you think it would be possible to build something s lot simpler for that?
What elements contribute the most to cost?

Yes, you could build it for much less. You just need one of these...

54419.jpg


And a few other bits and bobs! Your budget is basically the materials cost, with you doing all the work.

An alternative could be a hybrid approach, where you do as much as possible and hire trades for specific jobs.

If you want to do nothing then you need more of that money stuff.
 
Yes that's a possibility.
The foundation, plumbing and electrics definitely done by pros.

Probably the block construction, any reinforcement needed, damp-proof membrane (I know nothing about that), fitting windows & doors, poured concrete floor and roof done by pros

All the interior finish including insulation and plywood could be done by me

I can manage decorating and basic woodwork, but I'm slow!
 
I just discovered this channel, where they break down the material costs in detail and do time lapse of builds.
Will see what they estimate for labour as well.

 
Bear in mind you might need planning permission for this structure irrespective of its location in your garden
 

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