building a workshop - which blocks and base floor advice?
Discussion
I want to build a freestanding workshop on some spare/dead space I have at the side of the house. I have 0% previouse experience.
What type of blocks should I be looking for?. They would be preferably light and easy to work with. Do they do any that have helpful notches or interlocks of some sort, or is this wishfull thinking?
Also... Is self levelling concrete really what it say's it is? and can I just get a bloke with a mixer lorry to turn up and pour it down?
any helpful hints and tips, supplier recommendations would be appreciated...
What type of blocks should I be looking for?. They would be preferably light and easy to work with. Do they do any that have helpful notches or interlocks of some sort, or is this wishfull thinking?
Also... Is self levelling concrete really what it say's it is? and can I just get a bloke with a mixer lorry to turn up and pour it down?
any helpful hints and tips, supplier recommendations would be appreciated...
No offense intended, but if you're asking those sort of questions then it's not for you (yet) because building something in brick/blockwork isn't as easy as it looks. Ok, it's not rocket science but there are plenty of things for the first timer to get wrong and you really do need someone who's done that sort of thing to help you out.
But if you're good at other DIY and want to have a go, then I found the Collins series of DIY books quite easy to understand and they do cover all the basics of laying foundations, building, etc.
Self-leveling concrete is self-leveling in the sense that it won't stay as a 1m high pile in the corner, but IME it certainly isn't going to flow into nice level base without some help from you and a mate.
Given your questions, one thing which might be more practical for you is the pre-packaged timber buildings you can get. If it's only a 2mx3m shed-type workshop then you will get these very easily from DIY places. Anything larger, say garage/workshop size, then again these are available in some nice designs and are really just a giant model kit.
Although probably more expensive than blockwork buildings you know from the start that it will look good, construction will be quicker and it's unlikely to knock value off your property. If your DIY build is poor, not only will it detract from your house value, you might also attract complaints from the neighbours and local council (planning permissions/building regs).
But if you're good at other DIY and want to have a go, then I found the Collins series of DIY books quite easy to understand and they do cover all the basics of laying foundations, building, etc.
Self-leveling concrete is self-leveling in the sense that it won't stay as a 1m high pile in the corner, but IME it certainly isn't going to flow into nice level base without some help from you and a mate.
Given your questions, one thing which might be more practical for you is the pre-packaged timber buildings you can get. If it's only a 2mx3m shed-type workshop then you will get these very easily from DIY places. Anything larger, say garage/workshop size, then again these are available in some nice designs and are really just a giant model kit.
Although probably more expensive than blockwork buildings you know from the start that it will look good, construction will be quicker and it's unlikely to knock value off your property. If your DIY build is poor, not only will it detract from your house value, you might also attract complaints from the neighbours and local council (planning permissions/building regs).
Thanks for the replies,
The house is detached and on a substantial plot. My neighbours are great and have no problems with what I build. One of my neighbours is a retired builder who does know his stuff; but I wanted some initial advice before I pester him again. He's very helpful and obliging, but I wanted to get an idea of what type of blocks in order to do some outline costings.
It's still early days and i'm not the type to rush in to things, and I also know when I'm out of my depth. I can do decent DIY, and fancied the idea of building something... and as I need a workshop and extra storage to remove the clutter around my cars; it seems a good idea.
The house is detached and on a substantial plot. My neighbours are great and have no problems with what I build. One of my neighbours is a retired builder who does know his stuff; but I wanted some initial advice before I pester him again. He's very helpful and obliging, but I wanted to get an idea of what type of blocks in order to do some outline costings.
It's still early days and i'm not the type to rush in to things, and I also know when I'm out of my depth. I can do decent DIY, and fancied the idea of building something... and as I need a workshop and extra storage to remove the clutter around my cars; it seems a good idea.
I built my own concrete workshop, 20' x 16', and found it was one hell of a lot more hard work than I had originally thought. I planned to take a few months on it, but it lasted over 2 years. And I get six months a year off work!
You need to decide what sort of building you basically want first, heavy duty, or just something to get a roof over your head. I decided on a proper foundations, a waterproof membrane under the floor, so it would never get damp, and solid concrete block walls, with a tiled roof, and a useful loft for storage.
Final bill was about 7k altogether, but the only thing I paid someone else to do was supply and pour the base. That cost £600
And I too knew next to nothing about building before I started, but Google is your friend, and ask people loads of questions.
You need to decide what sort of building you basically want first, heavy duty, or just something to get a roof over your head. I decided on a proper foundations, a waterproof membrane under the floor, so it would never get damp, and solid concrete block walls, with a tiled roof, and a useful loft for storage.
Final bill was about 7k altogether, but the only thing I paid someone else to do was supply and pour the base. That cost £600
And I too knew next to nothing about building before I started, but Google is your friend, and ask people loads of questions.
Buy this
http://www.brickytool.com/catalog/product_info.php...
Slightly annoying Irish bloke builds a small office/workshop from scratch.
http://www.brickytool.com/catalog/product_info.php...
Slightly annoying Irish bloke builds a small office/workshop from scratch.
northandy said:
B17NNS said:
King Herald said:
I built my own concrete workshop
Superb project 
Unfortunatly it looks like I shall be abandoning it, deserting it, so soon after completion, as we're planning to move overseas. My heart is broken, it is the dream 'shop I've wanted for 30 years or more.
We'll be renting the house out though, with the 'shop firmly locked, off limits, so I may come back to it some fine day.
King Herald said:
I built my own concrete workshop, 20' x 16', and found it was one hell of a lot more hard work than I had originally thought. I planned to take a few months on it, but it lasted over 2 years. And I get six months a year off work!
You need to decide what sort of building you basically want first, heavy duty, or just something to get a roof over your head. I decided on a proper foundations, a waterproof membrane under the floor, so it would never get damp, and solid concrete block walls, with a tiled roof, and a useful loft for storage.
Final bill was about 7k altogether, but the only thing I paid someone else to do was supply and pour the base. That cost £600
And I too knew next to nothing about building before I started, but Google is your friend, and ask people loads of questions.
Very nice, and it's heartening to know that you started out with no real experience. What you have there is more or less what I had in mind. Where did the £7k go?, just the big numbers will do.You need to decide what sort of building you basically want first, heavy duty, or just something to get a roof over your head. I decided on a proper foundations, a waterproof membrane under the floor, so it would never get damp, and solid concrete block walls, with a tiled roof, and a useful loft for storage.
Final bill was about 7k altogether, but the only thing I paid someone else to do was supply and pour the base. That cost £600
And I too knew next to nothing about building before I started, but Google is your friend, and ask people loads of questions.
Police State said:
Very nice, and it's heartening to know that you started out with no real experience. What you have there is more or less what I had in mind. Where did the £7k go?, just the big numbers will do.
I have a Word Document list I've pasted here, if you can follow it. Stuff was added to the list as I used it, or remembered it, rather than in any specific order:Concrete mixings, for 2 tons (4 ton ballast, 24 cement) Simmons £241
Skip hire, 4 cubic metre, Downings, £100
Concrete blocks, 400, 1 ton of sand, plasticiser, Jewsons, £404
Glass blocks for windows, Wickes, £60
Concrete mixer hire, Traction, £54
Plastic sheeting-protection, B&Q, £18
Laser level, Focus, £24
Ballast -3 tons Jewsons £128
Ballast - 2 tons Jewsons £89
Wood beam 2" x 6" x 18', DPC and DPM Jewsons £97
Whacker plate hire, Traction, £47
5 cubes of concrete for base, delivered and laid, Steve PH, £485
3 bags mortar mix, 1 ton of sand, 10 bags cement, Jewsons,£115
150 concrete blocks, Jewsons, £139
Metalwork, screws, fasteners, trestles, truss clips, Screwfix, £174
Wood: rafters: 2”x6”x12’, 24pcs, + 2”x4”x12’, 6pcs, Travis P,£369
Wood: joists, wall plates, main door beams, Jewsons, £290
Metalwork, herringbones supports, nails, nail plates, Screwfix, £70
1" x 6" wood, for gables, nails for battens, Jewsons, £86
Under-felt, & 250 m of roof battens, Roof Warehouse, £170
Battens, nails and under-cloak, Roof warehouse £32
Fire door and hinges/bolts, Wickes, £48
Wood for loft floor and OSB for ends, Jewsons, £190
Power saw, B&Q, £29
Roof tiles and stuff, Roof warehouse, £632.44
Chipboard flooring, 6pcs, driver bits etc, Jewsons, £81
Jigsaw, stepladder, threaded rod, washers, Screwfix, £75
Sand, gravel, MOT, Jewsons, £128
4 cube skip hire, Downings, £100
Plastic tubing, fittings, Screwfix, £60
SWA cable, Wardstaff, £45
Lights, switches, consumer unit and stuff, Screwfix, £250
Redwood for doors, B & Q, £160
Paint for walls B & Q £20
Wood for bench B & Q £100
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff