18x16 Workshop build, from start to finish to ???

Baz and Lewist12345678 are your guys.

I am sure there are others as well, as long as they actually take the time to reply.

Hope you are going to post Before pics as it is now.

I think first thing would be contact the local council to confrim what you can and cannot do with the site. There might be some restrictions of use that could mess up any plans - although I doubt it.
If it is bordered by other property any building of new structure will require the council to contact anyone affected to see if they have any objection to your proposed plans. Building a new garage to replace existing shouldn't be a problem but going upwards might be a stumbling block. Also consider change of use permission could be required depending on how it's currently listed - ie if it's going to become a workshop instead of just personal vehicle storage. Also making any part into a garden could could problems at a later date if the property is ever sold if the legal change isn't done. My lock-up has restriction in that no working on vehicles of any type is allowed.

Good luck - I'm envious as I'd love such a plot myself

Paul H

Cool space you have acquired there.

Remember, no matter how well you plan, by the time it is done, there will be 3 changes you want already..... DAMHIK ;D

I prefer timber, but your choice really.

It is easier to build, probably cheaper too vs bricks and blocks.

whats the priority? longevity/security/price?

Longevity and security - brick
all 3 - breeze block (rendered if you want it to look nice)
price - wood.

before you lay any foundations your first job would be to run a length of drainpipe or similar underground from your house to the garage site, that way you can drag your electric supply, water supply (if youve got room, install a shower - it saves tramping curse word into the house), phone line etc etc through it and upgrade/repair at a later date.

On another note, further down the line if you need a hand wiring it give me a shout.

Cheers

Or if you're running power to the garage use 'ethernet over power' to extend your network, Depending on teh distance might be more reliable.

Mark

look here it will give you much inspiration and make you poor
www.garagejournal.com/forum/
it's cost me a fortune since i discovered it

Might be worth asking the landowners about running a cable across. Some people are surprisingly cool and if it helps turn some ugly garages into something nicer they might well be fine.

If you do, take photos before and after in case of any issues.

Ok well update time, a few things to start with,

We have been given a bordering reasonable quote for have a fresh electricity supply laid on, so the garages will be independent of the house, that is probably the next big job to occur, because recently, this happened:

As good as his word, the chap who bought the garages turned up on Monday with money and a BFO trailer, here is what went down:

Arrival; the doors are first to go, one loaded already:


As he takes the first load (doors and hinges) I grabbed a quick shot of the work so far;


And at the end of day one, a couple of strips of roof are taken too:


Day two sees the rest of the roof taken as well as most of the outer wall on the left hand unit:


Note the pile of tin down the side? More on that later...

He came back this evening, hoping to complete the job (as I write, he has just come back)




Oh yeah, that tin? A full load for trev (my trusty rusty van, bought for this project) to take for weighing in tomorrow, so hopefully a bit of cash back...