Jadhacha

Liam’s a legend, his Facebook group is great too. He makes building garden rooms look ridiculously easy. I’ve bought one of his build pack as a thank you, no plans to use it. But mostly timber and insulated metal SIP panel builds. There are 100’s if not 1000’s who’ve using the ‘rod’ system to build off of.

Thanks Russell. I completely get it. Extension won’t be ‘cheap’ - not expecting them to be. I’ve previously hired builders to build extensions, full refurbishment etc. albeit not close to any of the actual work. But the recent quotes are eye watering, leaving no choice but to look for alternatives. But reading and YouTube can teach you only so much, if I have an option to spend that extra £5-6k to learn a thing or two ‘on the job’, at least I’d know what NOT to do during the extension build. It’s a basic brick box, no bells and whistles, so being fairly realistic in my expectations too.

Looks like I’m leaning more towards this.. more homework for tonight. Thank you @MortarThePoint

Not sure I understand? The garden room is 35m away from the original house. Under 30sq.m, and 2m away from boundaries + no sleeping arrangements, toilet, occasional use - there’s no need for building regs that apply.

Thank you. This is very helpful, and bit worrying. Is this necessary for a garden room though? There’s no building regs involved. I was hoping to dig 600 and pour 500-600 of concrete in it. I’d like to try and understand each step of ‘conventional’ building work, but not get too carried away, and blow the non existent budget! If it a no go, still not too late to fill the trenches back up with MOT1 and get a timber outbuilding on it - if that’s more doable.

I was worried someone’s going to say this!

Well, there are plenty of medium/ large trees around in 10m+ vicinity, but closest and largest is Horse Chestnut about 5m away. Options so far, 1. Keep digging (and stop short of China) 2. Raft foundation (needs homework) 3. Ground screws (I’m on the fence for this one) 4. Dig the trench in figure 8, rather than 0 (sounds made up, but might work?) I’m out all day, so I can pay the mortgage and feed the family, but shall be in the trenches by 6-ish. Will post pictures then.

Planning permission for the extension is already in. As much as I’d like to, can’t sit on a steamy tea that long unfortunately.

Definitely an option. But have chosen the brick and mortar route!

No idea. I’ve heard cost wise they’d be similar to concrete, but may save on digging, quicker and such.

Perhaps I need a step back and look at options to build an extension and work backwards - I will pause and look into this further. Wonder why aren’t screw piles as common, I’ve seen loads of them online, but rarely any done nearby. All seem traditional concrete foundations. Thank you.

Thank you for your response. I see what you’re saying. But I’m hoping to eventually use the experience to build an extension, so trying to stick to similar construction methods as residential extension. …and when I’m not working I’m digging, 60cm deep now.

Hello, completely new to any kind of building work, so pls bear with me. So long term goal is to build an extension - but will need planning, structural engineer, and of course funds. Short term, trying to build a garden room. Similar construction methods, but hopefully at a lower budget - and learn. It’s 7x4m, occasional use office/ gym/ entertainment area, no toilet/ sleeping arrangements. Ideally would like to build cavity walls out of engineering bricks till DPM, then solid blocks and flat roof. Previous reading and other sources suggest 60x60cm trench foundation should be sufficient for a ‘light’ structure as garden room, the more I dig, the more I read, the more I worry. Few details, * 7x4m building * 60x60cm trench foundation * Soil and clay * Tall trees nearby * In Pinner, Harrow I’ve not consulted a structural engineer, as they’re likely to suggest dig foundations to 2.5m. Have 2 friends nearby, who’ve been advised this for extension and garden room with toilet. I’ve been digging on and off for a week or so, and I’ve got to about 60x60cm. Ground is sloping, hard on one end, and clay on other, digging is difficult and with no end in sight, even more so. Do I keep digging - how much is enough? Any alternatives to make foundations as best I possibly can? Happy to be reasonable for hand digging.

Hello, completely new to any kind of building work, and some of the posts here have been very helpful already! Trying to learn a thing or two as I build a garden room, and eventually an extension. Hopefully will learn as I go along, and share some of my experiences in time. Thank you!