glasslady

It is going to be my painting studio for the glass. At the moment I paint and fire the glass in our converted double garage, but its a dusty environment for painting glass. We originally asked planners for a mobile home for our daughter (temporarily) as she needed to return home at short notice, but three years in planning and a lot of red tape, they eventually said they wanted a proper building but it could have no plumbing etc, this meant the consent was useless, and, our daughter in all that time married her partner and moved away anyway! So rather than let the planning lapse I decided it would be a great space for my glass. That is why its the size it is, basically the size of a mobile home. Dorset planners! We think building it would at least mean it would count towards our overall footprint if we want to knock down our house and rebuild it at a later stage (it needs it as its freezing in the winter and boiling in the summer). SIPs sound expensive and I have no clue what to ask for. I only have basic plans as there was no building control needed. I am more confused now, I need to make a decision before the digger comes, he will want to know what I am wanting him to do. I don't know if my idea for footings are overkill. I know a shed would only need a slab but I did want a building to last Keep the advice coming, I do appreciate the help as I am at a loss. Once I get started I will be fine, once I know what to do.

I felt I needed block work as it seemed more secure to me. When I looked into the cost of a timber building of any quality they were nearly as much as the quotes I was getting for a builder. I also don't have a clue where to start getting SIPs etc. Originally I had planning for the same building, a little further from the house, and planners wanted it block built and rendered to match the house. We have now turned it 90 degrees and moved it closer to the house (inevitable if you turn a building around) and they stipulated they wanted it clad in wood. I really don't understand their thinking and hope they drop that in time, I am going to ask if I really have to clad it.

I am, I cannot pay out that much money, wish I had it to spend. You are right it is just a box full of holes?

Okay, just learnt this bit I answered without doing this first - sorry

Hello Peter, I do have planning as we are in an AONB, but I kept it small to get planning and avoid building control. Its 8.3 x 3m about 28 x 10 feet. Not very big. Hope that helps? I have just posted in another part of the forum asking rookie questions?

Hello everyone, I have planning permission for an outbuilding. 8.5 x 3 m I have had ridiculous quotes for over 30k! So thought I could do it cheaper than that. I plan to build single skin block work and clad in wood (eventually, planners made me do it). My planning expires this November so there is a sense of urgency to get it out the ground. Can you please advise me on footings? How deep (on clay ground) should I dig my footings? I thought 1m but when we built our big extension it ended up 2m deep but that was for a cavity wall build. I am also wondering how much cement to pour (in depth), should it be 450mm or more? Then what blocks do I use for the first few courses? I think they should be more engineering blocks or something like that. Its not a big building it is only single skin, I don't want to end up putting all my money in the ground. Advice appreciated. I have the digger booked so I need to give him instructions on what to dig. All help very much appreciated, thank you.

Hello Everyone, I am completely new to forums so will make mistakes there for sure. Its taken me ages just to get to this bit. I am a stained glass artist, been making windows for ages and more recently glass art with concrete, so I am happy with that side of buildings. I am about to self build a new studio for myself and need to learn what to do. I have had ridiculous quotes from builders for over 30k so there has to be a cheaper alternative. Luckily for me I found this site and am looking forward to reading all the advice you have to offer.