Garden Office - My Build
Discussion
The time has come to add some much need space at home - the housing market is dead so I have decided to take our house of the market and go an alternative route, as I need more space at home, and the costs of an extension are getting out of control so I have opted to build a Garden Office / Workshop / Bar / Man Cave
For the main building I have opted for a pre-fab from Dunster House - They seem to have great reviews and so far their service has been fantastic. I have opted for a 7.6mtr by 3.5mtr Helena Fully Insulated office building which I have ordered today.
For the foundations I have opted for a Swift Plinth and Pads from Swift Foundations - Again their service has been flawless so far having designed the base to suit the office build.
Heating and cooling will be via a wall split AC system
I have budgeted 18k for the build, to include all hardware, power, lighting, AC and interior fit out.
As there seems to always be some interest in builds like this, I will use this thread to track the progress - Swift Foundations are due in 2 weeks, the office in 7 weeks. My Aim is to have it built and done before mid August
For the main building I have opted for a pre-fab from Dunster House - They seem to have great reviews and so far their service has been fantastic. I have opted for a 7.6mtr by 3.5mtr Helena Fully Insulated office building which I have ordered today.
For the foundations I have opted for a Swift Plinth and Pads from Swift Foundations - Again their service has been flawless so far having designed the base to suit the office build.
Heating and cooling will be via a wall split AC system
I have budgeted 18k for the build, to include all hardware, power, lighting, AC and interior fit out.
As there seems to always be some interest in builds like this, I will use this thread to track the progress - Swift Foundations are due in 2 weeks, the office in 7 weeks. My Aim is to have it built and done before mid August
RZ1 said:
I went with a 58mm double glazed log cabin from Tuin for my garden office and a 28mm single glazed cabin for my workshop, again from Tuin.
Like a huge Lego set.
That looks great! I cant wait to get started on mineLike a huge Lego set.
Aiming to get the foundations down weekend of 22nd
Get digging work done for power, connectivity and water the weekend after
MrBig said:
Definitely interested, will be following along. Compared to the cost of an extension, these are looking very good value now and I think, look great in the garden too, with much more flexibility over where you site it.
Good luck with the build!
You have exactly the same mind set I do here! Good luck with the build!
Thank you
Finally making some progress
Foundations arrived and I have started to put them in - Weather at the weekend didnt help and I have two pads left to dig in and level out
The float is half built and just need putting together on the pads
Office building is due to arrive next Wednesday
Float Timbers
Gravel bases in "position"
First two pads down and level - They are gravel footings that a concrete pad sits on, on top of that a metal bracket which the float bolts on too
2 left to go but heavy rain has stopped play until the weekend now
Foundations arrived and I have started to put them in - Weather at the weekend didnt help and I have two pads left to dig in and level out
The float is half built and just need putting together on the pads
Office building is due to arrive next Wednesday
Float Timbers
Gravel bases in "position"
First two pads down and level - They are gravel footings that a concrete pad sits on, on top of that a metal bracket which the float bolts on too
2 left to go but heavy rain has stopped play until the weekend now
MrBig said:
Simple as that? Plastic grid, fill with gravel, concrete pad on top? Amazing!
Yep! really is as simple as that - Each plinth is rated to 1 tonne, I have 12 so can have up to 12 tonnes of building and stuff, which I wont get nearI honestly cant recommend Swift Foundations enough - I sent them the drawings of the office building and they spec'ed and pre-cut all the foundations and float - All I have to do is bolt it together
andy_ran said:
Yep! really is as simple as that - Each plinth is rated to 1 tonne, I have 12 so can have up to 12 tonnes of building and stuff, which I wont get near
I honestly cant recommend Swift Foundations enough - I sent them the drawings of the office building and they spec'ed and pre-cut all the foundations and float - All I have to do is bolt it together
That's amazing, I will be watching with even more interest now, because I've got some plans for next year and this might make my life very much simpler!I honestly cant recommend Swift Foundations enough - I sent them the drawings of the office building and they spec'ed and pre-cut all the foundations and float - All I have to do is bolt it together
RZ1 said:
I went with a 58mm double glazed log cabin from Tuin for my garden office and a 28mm single glazed cabin for my workshop, again from Tuin.
Like a huge Lego set.
Make sure you really protect the wood, mine looked that good for first year, maybe 2, then rapidly warped - ceiling beams, windows/doors, even the walls started having large gaps. Never again!Like a huge Lego set.
MrBig said:
That's amazing, I will be watching with even more interest now, because I've got some plans for next year and this might make my life very much simpler!
This system was especially attractive to me as my garden has a small but noticeable slope - Over the 8mts it drops about 160mm but also isnt flat back to frontEach of the pads have 150mm of adjustability - I have dug the ones on the high side in deeper, so levelling it all up perfectly will be a doddle now and all without any expensive concreate or ground works
tting hell 
simon_harris said:
Every time I plan out a garden room I start out with a really reasonable budget/cost and somehow end up with something that would cost me double what you are paying so I will watch this with interest!
I am doing all the work myself and with help from friends when needed to keep the costs lowBut this is my budget calculations for those interested
Garden Office £13,239.00
Foundations £2,305.80
Air Con £704.93
Power Cable £300.00
Wireless AP £100.00
Lighting £200.00
Internal Cable £100.00
Sockets £100.00
Consumer Unit £50.00
Digger Hire £200.00
Carpet £500.00
TOTAL £17,799.73
I am sure there will be some additional costs but that there is the bulky and big costs
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