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Garden office products/suppliers

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    Garden office products/suppliers

    Has anyone been to visit any of the suppliers, e.g. Dunster House?

    What was your experience? Which are worth looking at?

    Thinking to purchase privately so have many general questions, e.g.

    What climate control is necessary to stop problems with damp (documents, equipment, etc) and keep the room cool/warm as necessary?

    Does the garden building (assuming insulated) maintain a stable temperature? Since there is no material to hold the e.g. brick) does it tend to overheat and then lose heat if you turn the heating down/off (in winter)?

    Is it noisy like a drum when walking around the floor?

    Is the structure strong enough for an adult to walk on the roof?

    Has anyone had a building for several years? How has it weathered? Have the doors and windows dropped/jammed due to movement in the timbers?

    Is the building soundproof or can conversations inside (e.g. phone calls) be heard outside?

    Is the construction generally up to standing wear and tear as a home gym? Dropping weights onto a rubberized mat? Is there enough headroom to lift weights overhead with a 2.5m roof?

    Will I get cabin ever, etc.?
    Last edited by ruasonid; 20 November 2016, 14:11.

    #2
    Originally posted by ruasonid View Post
    Has anyone been to visit any of the suppliers, e.g. Dunster House?

    What was your experience? Which are worth looking at?

    Thinking to purchase privately so have many general questions, e.g.

    What climate control is necessary to stop problems with damp (documents, equipment, etc) and keep the room cool/warm as necessary?

    Does the garden building (assuming insulated) maintain a stable temperature? Since there is no material to hold the e.g. brick) does it tend to overheat and then lose heat if you turn the heating down/off (in winter)?

    Is it noisy like a drum when walking around the floor?

    Is the structure strong enough for an adult to walk on the roof?

    Has anyone had a building for several years? How has it weathered? Have the doors and windows dropped/jammed due to movement in the timbers?

    Is the building soundproof or can conversations inside (e.g. phone calls) be heard outside?

    Is the construction generally up to standing wear and tear as a home gym? Dropping weights onto a rubberized mat? Is there enough headroom to lift weights overhead with a 2.5m roof?

    Will I get cabin ever, etc.?
    They seem to be a ridiculous price for what they are.

    For about £2000 ish you can buy a decent second-hand caravan and hook it to mains electricity. You want need to build a hard base nor will you need planning permission. If you have a large garden you can grow a few bushes or trees around it. If you change you mind you can sell it at very little loss.
    "A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves and traitors are not victims, but accomplices," George Orwell

    Comment


      #3
      I have this one.

      Log cabins, wooden garages, garden buildingins, bespoke log cabins, butumen shingles

      £3K for 44mm logs.

      Plus under floor & ceiling insulation 50mm = £500. You could line it for better warmth retention only losing 65-100 mm each wall. I didn't bother.
      Seal round door & windows with leftover insulation, plastic sheet on the outside under the trim and sealant .
      Seal all the draughts at floor, ceiling & wall joins I got some stone (pine colour) frame sealant from B&M (£1 a tube on offer)

      Be looking at another £500 for electrics. Didn't bother with a toilet as i have to see the wife occasionally.

      Also laid a concrete slab so add another £500->1000.

      I split it in half the bit with the outside door is the workshop.

      The office is in the back the stud wall is insulated.

      then heating a quick 10 minute blast of a fanheater gets the office warmish.

      Summer I have fans and it stays slightly (5-> 10 degrees) cooler than outside.

      Its nice to have it outside rather one of the bedrooms.

      I have an 2.5 * 4m workshop & the same size office for under £5k. If I hadn't done most of the work myself you could add another £2K,
      Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.

      Comment


        #4
        I'm planning to get a garden office next year. The Dunster House ones looked pretty cheap to me, but you get what you pay for.

        I was probably going to go for one from here:
        Garden Offices from TheGardenOffice

        I was also seriously considering this one but I have my doubts over the levels of insulation and I'd prefer a lined and skimmed internal finish. It's the exact size I want though.

        https://m.johnlewis.com/crane-3-x-3m...wood-/p/312627

        You're not going to have room for lifting weights in one with a 2.5m height. You'll need a pitched roof which changes the building regs requirements a bit.

        Comment


          #5
          I am having one of these built:

          Green Retreats Garden Rooms: Inspiration 2m x 2m

          The guys are actually on site building it now, so I can answer some of your questions on Wednesday (once the sparky has joined up the cat6 + power).

          They've got a showroom so you can actually see what you get.
          And the lord said unto John; "come forth and receive eternal life." But John came fifth and won a toaster.

          Comment


            #6
            If it feels and sounds like a shed then thats what you are probably buying. I would take a look around at some of the more architected solutions as the improved insulation will make it more comfortable. Plus it won't sound like you are doing conference calls from the bog. When I converted my brick shed into an office I when full hog on the building regs insulation and my office is warmer than the house some days. If needed I could easily move in and live quite happily.

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by b0redom View Post
              I am having one of these built:

              Green Retreats Garden Rooms: Inspiration 2m x 2m

              The guys are actually on site building it now, so I can answer some of your questions on Wednesday (once the sparky has joined up the cat6 + power).

              They've got a showroom so you can actually see what you get.
              IIRC they are the same company as The Garden Office I linked to above. Would be interested in feedback.

              Did you go for a fully lined and plaster skimmed interior? Also which cladding? I like the red cedar but not sure I can be bothered maintaining it (it's supposedly maintenance free but only if you don't mind it going silver otherwise it needs regularly UV protection treatment).

              I'm actually expecting the first pass of our new garden design from the designer today or tomorrow. Can't wait to get it done

              Comment


                #8
                Yep, same company. They're really cracking on. Will report back when it's done.
                And the lord said unto John; "come forth and receive eternal life." But John came fifth and won a toaster.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by b0redom View Post
                  Yep, same company. They're really cracking on. Will report back when it's done.
                  Out of curiosity did you decide to pay for it through the company or not?

                  I've gone back and forth on this. I had decided to pay personally as there are numerous complications however the dividend tax changes and potential VAT savings have made me reconsider.

                  My accountant has gone over all the details with me. My biggest concern was a potential BIK charge however whilst he felt it should be OK; he asked a couple of specialist tax advisors for a second opinion and they concurred with him.

                  We are talking about a potential £8k saving or so so I'm seriously starting to lean towards company funded.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by TheCyclingProgrammer View Post
                    Out of curiosity did you decide to pay for it through the company or not?

                    I've gone back and forth on this. I had decided to pay personally as there are numerous complications however the dividend tax changes and potential VAT savings have made me reconsider.

                    My accountant has gone over all the details with me. My biggest concern was a potential BIK charge however whilst he felt it should be OK; he asked a couple of specialist tax advisors for a second opinion and they concurred with him.

                    We are talking about a potential £8k saving or so so I'm seriously starting to lean towards company funded.
                    If you fund it from your company does it become office space & therefore eligible for business rates?
                    Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.

                    Comment

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