A big'n

DanMcLiv · 5 Aug 2008

Elo diynot, new member. I'm in need of any advice at all you can give me.

Basically, I'm ultimately wanting an outdoor shed/room to be used as a small gym, well, weightlifting room - because there'll only be a bench and weights in there. A decent size would be about 15 ft by 10 ft.

At the moment I currently have a 9 by 6 ft concrete bass, on which stands a little wood shed, no probs in removing that!

So my questions are, obviously the base needs extending (is this the footing?), is that a job that I could do myself with the help of my brothers if I can read up enough on it? If not, is £600 a reasonable price (as this is what a builder has just quoted me on 10 minutes ago - just the concrete base alone!).

As for the actual building, any advice is appreciated, I though one layer of breeze blocks right round would do the trick but I'm being told two walls with a cavity is vital.

Thanks in advance,

Dan

r896neo · 6 Aug 2008

Smash the old one up as it won't have any kind of damp proof membrane under the concrete if its just for a shed so will always remain cold and damp. Putting in a new concrete slab is well within your reach. Just read up on it a bit on here. There is most likely even a thread about building an outdoor shed for a gym.

As for its construction there are many options and single skin is not necessarily a bad idea.

A little more info on what you want to spend and do you want it to be a proper outdoor building or just a big shed etc would let others suggest a good means of construction.

leeco · 6 Aug 2008

i've just built this shed at the bottom of our garden its made out of inner skin block then between the wood cladding there is 25mm kingspan also we have plaster boarded the insides and insulated the roof hopefully should keep the heat in when its cold.

DCS · 6 Aug 2008

You can definately build a concrete bases yoursaelf - any number of DIY books that will give you a step by step guide, if you don`t fancy it then £600 is a pretty good price.
More info on what you want to spend would be able to give more info on possibilities - there are many options from buying your own shed and insulating yourself to specialist timber buildings. Also remember that if you build from block or brick you will more than likely need planning permission!

DanMcLiv · 6 Aug 2008

Thanks for the replies ppl

Sorry about lack of info, I've decided on a few more things to narrow down the info I need in order to get started on it.

Basically, I've decided that what I want in the end is a shed very similar (if not this exact shed)...

http://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/Wooden-Sheds/BillyOh-Greenkeeper-Workshop

Obviously with it being used for weight training, I'm not particularly fussed on size, type of windows/doors but what I will probably opt for is the 10 x 16 foot version.

I've been told I can lend 1000 to do this, and I have a couple of hundred aside myself.

So....

I have the cost (894 odd) of the shed sorted, and, from what I know, I can afford the concrete base materials myself.

Question now then is, I could probably do a rather good base for the shed from what I have and will read about, but I can't find any info on how to expand on an existing base. What if the depth of the existing base doesn't meet the required depth of the new one? How do I seal the two together if you get me?

Thanks again,

Didn't know there was a forum like this but proving to be useful already.

DanMcLiv · 6 Aug 2008

I'm not ignoring ur post btw leeco, I was speakin today about makin my own shed and gettin help etc. but I'm gonna have to act the lazy bastard and buy one in if I'm not gonna get a block or brick construction made.

neds · 7 Aug 2008

I think you missed the point about getting rid of the old concrete slab. If you want it to be habitable then it needs to be done properly, damp proofing etc. Just smash it up and pour in a readymix. you can then build on top with blocks/brick. Obviously you will need to think about how far deep for foundations, but shouldnt think it will be that much if you are only using single skin blocks. I'm no expert but I'm doing a similar thing in my back yard, be it about half you're size. I'm going to remove some concrete too and its going to be done right, don't want it sinking!

As for planning permission, if its away from the house then you might be able to get away with it, but again if its habitable then you may require it if its a certain size, also building regs will come into play more that likely.

DanMcLiv · 7 Aug 2008

neds said:
I think you missed the point about getting rid of the old concrete slab. If you want it to be habitable then it needs to be done properly, damp proofing etc. Just smash it up and pour in a readymix. you can then build on top with blocks/brick. Obviously you will need to think about how far deep for foundations, but shouldnt think it will be that much if you are only using single skin blocks. I'm no expert but I'm doing a similar thing in my back yard, be it about half you're size. I'm going to remove some concrete too and its going to be done right, don't want it sinking!

As for planning permission, if its away from the house then you might be able to get away with it, but again if its habitable then you may require it if its a certain size, also building regs will come into play more that likely.

ahh yer, didn't read that properly sorry. I thought he meant smash the old shed up.

Just to complicate things lol, I do want it habitable, but only using the shed I mentioned (above), due to the sheer price of getting someone to build even a single skin wall - or is a single skin wall also possible to achieve for a complete novice with the right guidance??

neds · 7 Aug 2008

Mine is going to be a single skin wall made from blocks. No chance I'm paying anyone to do that. I'm no brickie but know the basics of laying I think, if its straight and plumb you cant be too wrong! You're best and cheapest option would be single skin with blocks. With your size will need some braces? between the long wall, this is basically blocks laid flat and up right so they protrude from the inside, this gives larger/longer walls more stability. I'm not sure what the term is called but I'm sure some more qualified members can elaborate. Once the walls are done, Just need a roof, maybe flat and insulate inside.
Then the fun begins as building regs will be knocking as I'm sure you will need electrics e.t.c...

r896neo · 7 Aug 2008

your getting into a whole world of hurt if you want it habitable. Well maybe an exageration but it is heavily laden with regulations and permissions. I'd say redo the concrete base properly with a dpm under it and go ahead and plonk your wooden building on it. Your shed/ building supplier will give you advice on thicknesses etc i'm sure.

If you do want to go down the habitable route call into or ring your local building control as you often find they are very helpful and probably not particularly busy at the moment. They will fill you in on some of the considerations you should think about.

2scoops0406 · 7 Aug 2008

Hmm, yeah, if you want it to be habitable, then yes, BC comes into it. Do you want / need services in the "shed", more regs. But as has been said before, the old concrete slab will probably be useless. As you're building a Gym, your first workout is to break up the old slab, dig out new foundations (services at this point), hard core in bottom (could used old crushed concrete slab) sand DPM concrete, screed, finish, build GYM.

wms · 7 Aug 2008

Habitable and being able to use it in comfort are two different things

if its only a glorified shed with no heating and you want to build it as a comfortable work space building control not required

on the other hand start fitting heating, beds etc thats another story.

DanMcLiv · 8 Aug 2008

Ok, so at least I'm narrowing down what I'm after every time I come on here. Basically now, just a feckin heavy duty shed with a light in there and some way of getting a heater plugged in down there. My mate said he can sort a rings main out for down there or something for cheap but thats a whole different issue.

So yer, now it's a case of finding what size shed so I can get crackin on smashin this other concrete one up.

Thanks a lot for the replies so far, you lot have saved me a shít load of dosh and time really, cuz I'm getting closer to doing this myself rather than paying out. Nice one

r896neo · 8 Aug 2008

Di why not? This is a great site with many experienced and helpful people and chances are no matter what you want to do that someone has done what you are planning before and can and will help.

Big decent shed with a bit of insulation and basic power sounds like your best bet.

Good luck.

DanMcLiv · 9 Aug 2008

Ok so here's the next big question then. Recent events have highlighted how much the neighbours enjoy acting like n0b heads. As part of them trying to battle us over every little thing, do you reckon they are in a position to intefere with my shed plans because I haven't got planning permission? Do I need planning permission for a 10 by 10 ft wooden shed?

I'm gonna draw up a plan of the garden now to give you lot a better picture of what I'm doing.

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A big'n

2scoops0406

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