Workshop design and Build Advice Needed

[Petey83]

so i will explain some background and the situation..

i have been woodworking for about 18 months now and have been limited to back garden working so have had limited time which has also meant limited projects (some fitted cupboards and a few reclaimed wood bookcase / small table type projects). What i do know is it's a hobby i really enjoy and want to continue to develop in hence i made the decision in midi 2015 to pour a load of money into tools now while i have a larger disposable income as kids are on the horizon and i will then become poor for at least 18 years it seems :? :? .

The final piece of the puzzle is having proper workshop space which is one of the key criteria as we start searching for a new house. I had initially been insistent that i wanted a property with a brick garage already in place or some other sort of solid outbuilding i could use as a workshop. Size wise i wanted all my current Festool gear and MFT3 in there plus a PT, Bandsaw and solid workbench that i now intend to make (following some advice).

The problem is this requirement is really limiting the properties we can consider soI have come to thinking about building something. My first port of call was to call a few local builders to ask about brick built structures and the prices all came back at £12k - £15k which is way above what we can idealistically spend on a hobby space.

Having looked through threads on here i see many have timber workshops so I was hoping people could advise me on the type of spec required and likely costs. The pitfull is i am not confident enough to undertake a project like this on my own as have really only made small bit sand pieces thus far so would have to factor in costs of labour to build it as well i guess.

any help, advice or offers of cheap labor in the hertford area (its where we intend to end up) would be greatly appriciated

 

[skipdiver]

It really isn't that difficult for someone who is au fait with woodwork and woodwork tools to build a timber workshop. You could have something really quite smart for £2-3000. Once the base is in. the walls and roof are not that challenging. The base can also be timber, say 6x2's in a framework and can be sat on adjustable plastic plinth feet if you want something quick and simple. Walls 4x2's and same for the roof, with insulation, you will have a nice workspace. Cladding can be bought in big packs fairly cheaply, so it's just a matter of planning and your time.

If you don't fancy that, you could buy a better quality timber workshop off the peg and beef it up with insulation and internal boarding. There are plenty of people on here done this and lots of threads detailing the journey.

 

[RobinBHM]

Its certainly possible to build a really solid workshop at a reasonable cost.

A well built structure in timber could be a very solid well insulated building. The key is to build with a breathable membrane and a 25mm cavity behind the cladding.

If you arent confident building it yourself, maybe budget for a chippie to build the frame and roof, leaving you to clad and insulate. Maybe buy in upvc windows and doors. I would imagine a good chippie would get a fair bit done in a week

Keep in mind a minimum of 1 metre to the boundary is needed to avoid fire regs. 2.5m max height unless more than 2 metres from boundary.

 

[morturn]

I have just bought one of those log cabin type garden rooms form a Lithuanian company who has an office in the uk. I bought a 9m x 5mx 3.7m high log cabin for £6,500.

I had to pay an additional 20% (included in the £6,500) because it was a bespoke size.

It all came flat packed with double glazing and as many windows as you want, double full glazed door on the front, single half glazed door on the back and a 10-year anti-rot warranty
I could not build it myself for that price.

 

[tomf]

I have just bought one of those log cabin type garden rooms form a Lithuanian company who has an office in the uk. I bought a 9m x 5mx 3.7m high log cabin for £6,500.

How did you get on with building control? Where they happy with the design etc? What was the company called?

 

[morturn]

I have just bought one of those log cabin type garden rooms form a Lithuanian company who has an office in the uk. I bought a 9m x 5mx 3.7m high log cabin for £6,500.

How did you get on with building control? Where they happy with the design etc? What was the company called?

I applied for planning permission because I live in a conservation area and I wanted the building to be within 1m of the boundary’s. I had to give consideration to the height too.

Did not need building control, its theoretically a temporary structure, but the planning office did want to see the design and the finish I would use on the sides and roof. I am putting cedar shingles on now as we speak and have insulated the roof and floor.

The company I use was called Quick Garden co uk, A guy called Mantas was really helpful. I am a builder so came back to him with lots of questions etc, but he dealt with everything very well.

I did a lot of ringing around other company’s too, but this lot were by far the best. I now have an incredible useable space.

If you have any other question please ask, happy to help

 

[deema]

Have a look at a steel framed building, either secondhand or new. They are not as expensive as you might think, especially as the dairy industry has been hit very hard. Steel framed, galvanised, 60mm insulated with roller shutter door and pedestrian door to erect is not that much more than buying a timber building it could be the same. I've just bought a new shed 45' x30' for £16K delivered inc VAT. Erection / base is extra. For a normal sized shed, say the size of a double garage 15' X 15' it will be significantly lower, and easy to put up.

 

[Shultzy]

"Having looked through threads on here i see many have timber workshops so I was hoping people could advise me on the type of spec required and likely costs."

You have discovered the forum's secret, look through all the threads. "Build a shed Mike's way" and "Steve's workshop - The Build" are a goldmine of info (modesty forbids you look at mine). Costs are always difficult because until you have speced what you want its difficult to estimate. As for making it yourself, do you have the time and skill, can you afford to buy "off the shelf", only you can answer.

 

[Petey83]

Thanks for all the responses guys. I have done some more research based on some of your responses both on the forum and the wider internet and found a couple of potential options.

My head is currently thinking to buy off the shelf but not a full service. I can sort a concrete base before the company come and build the timber shell and then i can do the insulation and internal boarding as well as run a SWA up to the structure from the main consumer unit and then fit all the sockets and lights as necessary.

A lot will depend on the house we end up buying but at least i have some figures to work with when looking at places and thinking about what sort of offer to make.