WHAT ARE MY REALISTIC
OPTIONS, IF I SET A
BUDGET OF
£10,000 FOR MY
GARDEN OFFICE
Discover the Options
Fully insulated building in a set size, from £6275 if you want to add your own insulation and lining, plus assemble on site yourself. Allow approximately £650 for a concrete base on the smallest model.
Price from £8700 (assembled)
includes 70mm framing with 50mm Celotex, tanalised shiplap cladding. Double glazed door and windows.
Grooved plywood internal lining board (natural finish) Wiring and faceplates are also included.
Titania
£8230 for the 3.5m x 2.5m model. 70mm framing with 25mm Celotex insulation. Treated floor bearers but untreated shiplap cladding. Double glazed doors and window.
Lined internally with gypsum fibreboard (low impact durability)
No electrics are included.
Delivery is included
Approx assembly time = 5 days.
Base is not included
Base cost approx £1300 for concrete pad at £150 per sq. metre.
2.6 x 2.4 model is set at £10,000 which includes the following.
70mm framing, with 50mm Celotex.
Tanalised floor joists with 70mm Celotex insulation.
15mm plywood floor and laminate covering. French doors and a window - double glazed.
Grooved plywood internal lining board (natural finish)
Electric wiring and furniture.
Note that groundwork is needed at approx £1000 based on £150 per sq. metre.
OTHER ALTERNATIVES
Can I simply buy a good
quality shed and
convert it myself
That's not such a bad idea if you have good DIY skills and are not deterred by a bit of a project.
Initially you will need to install a paving slab (or concrete pad) that should be flat and level.
This provides you with the solid base to start from.
Ensure you have enough framing so that you can add a decent amount of insulation -
at least 70mm is required, so that you can have 50mm of insulation and a gap for electric wiring.
It is important that the outer skin has a vapour barrier, as you are working in this building year round,
so it needs to be moisture resistant, water tight in air tight.
Make sure the floor is insulated, as cold air and damp needs to be repelled - and concrete or paving slab base will draw any heat from the building if you don't insulate it well enough.
Double glazing needs to be 28mm thick, to help with the insulation, especially as glass is a cold spot in the winter and a heat spot in the summer, but doors and windows can be either timber or UPVC, depending on your preference and cost.
Steel insulated roof panels are a good option for ease and speed of fitting, however they don't accept wiring, so if you want to have lights in the ceiling another alternative needs looking at. Timber joists, OSB deck and final roof layer is a good option as you can install insulation in the ceiling and fit your own spotlights or LED panels. Note that the insulation should not reach the underside of the roof boards, as this is a cold roof system and it requires an air gap so it doesn't condensate inside the roof void.
Wiring the inside is fairly straight forward however CLICK HERE if you need a guide on how to wire a new garden office. Once the first fix cables are in place, then you can continue to the internal fit out. There are a multitude of options here, but don't forget to add your floor surface, skirting, beading and architrave to the project list, as it will ensure the saving you've made on the self assembly, doesn't get wasted on trips back and forth to the DIY stores.
If this option sounds like a good plan, learn more from the Shedworking website.