8 DIY Workshop Tips That Will Save You THOUSANDS in 2025

[@sumeraybuilds]

📃Check out the workshop plans for this workshop! sumeraybuilds.com/en-gbp/products/workshop-full-plans Episodes: Plan & Prep - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZXWm4BjeL2Sfq8 Planning Permission - kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3nWo52wi5h_atU The Design - kzbin.info/www/bejne/pn2ZaJd-i7OChtU Concrete Base - kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWW1l5djd6p1lbM Timber Walls - kzbin.info/www/bejne/e56ro6xqgsalnq8 Flat Roof - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqfOq2OJbslnsJo Rubber Roof - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGOrgYt-qbl8ms0 Windows & Doors - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qICxmIaarJKiaJI Cladding - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZ2appt4nZxjmtU Electrics - kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3nNeqx_lMqqb9k Insulation & Interior - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGG0eGmCettqha8

[@thomaslundberg5588]

Not sure if you pointed it out but a good additional tip for #5 is to buy second hand doors and windows before building the walls. It is a lot easier to find something suitable and build your openings to fit that rather than building everything first and then having to find windows and doors that fit your opening.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Great tip! And something that I actually did but forgot to mention! Thank you!🙏

[@paulr9572]

Built something very similar around 10 years ago. Composite cladding, new uPVC doors and windows, EPDM roof, with a plasterboard and skim internals. £5000 all in. Still looks as good as it did 10 years ago. Design came straight out of my head, and was never written down anywhere! Only top tip I'd add is run in the armoured cable before you pour the concrete base, presenting the cable inside where one of the walls will be. Makes for a neater wiring installation.

[@sumeraybuilds]

I 100% agree with your armoured cable tip! And congrats on doing it all for £5k!

[@guystreeton5274]

Hi SB. I started my building my workshop just before lockdown ,thankfully I bought a lot of materials before hand when the prices were lower at the time and I was lucky to be able to build my workshop whilst I was laid off work for 9 weeks I have also built my missus a 10x6 ft shed for £600 approximately which was I did last summer. I have tried to attach photos but have not been able to.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Nice work!

[@phoboslabsreviews]

Great video, sound and clear advice. This gives me a few options to think about regards building a new shed.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Rooster---ooo]

Great tips. 100% agree about the rubber roof! A good friend of mine, who has since passed away, built my workshop about 10 years ago. It was originally intended as a space for my wife to do ceramics and has a large kiln in the corner. It evolved into a sort of summer house, which rarely got used & then into a bit of a dumping ground/storage shed. The original fibreglass roof ended up splitting and the rain got in and rotted the OSB and collapsed part of the plasterboard ceiling. I paid a firm of gypsies to put a rubber roof on. Cost about £1k with other repairs. I was a bit concerned with the quality of the work but I've had zero issues with it over the past few years. It's a solid sheet of rubber, so not much to go wrong. When the space was originally built we picked up matching sliding French doors and windows in wood effect from Gumtree (I think) super cheap. Looks amazing, matching the horizontal panelling finish. Concrete base. Interior insulated & plaster boarded. Electrics & a sink. We also picked up an old Ikea kitchen which was Ideal. During lockdown I realised I enjoyed DIY, having helped a friend refit a couple of shops he was opening. I'd accumulated a fair amount of tools & wanted a space. The Mrs was happy for me to convert the space (3mx5m) into a workshop, retaining the kiln for future use. It is covered over by a workbench but that can easily lift off if/when she has the time to get back into ceramics. I'm so glad I did. It has been such a rewarding hobby & my place to escape the stresses of life. 15 square meters is just enough but I'd love to double the space as larger projects get awkward, especially in the winter. Summer is fine as there is plenty of space to work outside in the fleeting UK sunshine. At some point I will move house to somewhere with room to build my dream workshop and at that point I will at least double to a 30m square space + storage for wood. I think I'll build it myself. The planning permission sucks but I'll try to find somewhere it won't bother neighbours.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing 🥳

[@henrycastle1]

❤ Just what I needed thank you, Sumeray Builds Henry

[@sumeraybuilds]

Glad to hear it!

[@TPCider]

Looking at starting mine now next year , but gives me more time to save to pot … great video 👌🏻

[@sumeraybuilds]

You can do it! And thanks 🙏

[@dominic-james]

What a great series of videos on building a workshop, really helpful and well put together. Nicely edited with bits of humor added (loved your son). A couple of questions if I may - 1. Workshop vs Garden Office, Is anything missing for it to be a garden office? 2. Flooring, I didn't see how you finished it off, I guess as a workshop you don't need to do much more. If I were going to do the same and make it a Garden Office and wanted to have a warm, insulated floor, what would you suggest doing? It's going to eat into the 2.5m height I suppose. Thanks again.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Thanks so much! 🙏 I use mine as both a workshop and a garden office! I have a little deck in one corner. It’s super warm without an insulated floor honestly. If you did want to insulate it I would suggest laying 50mm PIR board and then 18mm tounge and groove boards on top. That won’t eat too much into the height. Good luck with whatever you decide!

[@jonnyBgood3]

I used insulated steel panels, walls and roof, saved me a huge amount of time and about the same cost in the end as timber. Good video very detailed.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Great tip! And thank you! I

[@craigerskine1280]

I saved a lot on my cladding. I used 150mm x 22m x 4.8m fence boards on a 4.2m x 2m shed. I used a router to make rebates on alternate sides to create an overlap and the same on the bottom so I could add a "gravel board" type thing along the bottom so that if/when it rots I can easily replace it. Cost me under £300 for the lot plus some masonry paint and I intentionally over ordered to have enough left over to make planters (around 20% extra so could have cost £240). A LOT of extra work but it does look really good.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Awesome idea! How big was your workshop? £300 for all the cladding is ridiculously good going and I take my hat off to you. Did you use baton behind the cladding to leave an air gap? Genuinely intrigued by how you managed to achieve this for such a low cost and I’m sure the other viewers of the video would love to know more given the topic of the vid. Thanks 🙏

[@craigerskine1280]

​@@sumeraybuilds it's 4.2m x 2m, not the biggest but it's the only space I have for it. Yeah, I batonned(?) The same as you, over the membrane on each stud then horizontally roughly 400mm on centre. I didn't include the price of them but they were 25x50mm and £0.46 pm. I got all my timber from Jewson. To make my boards overlap, I routed a roughly 12mmx12mm rebate into one side, flipped the board and repeated, then the same on the bottom. I used a board on the bottom (as a gravel board that I've screwed in so it can be easily replaced if it ever needs it. I routed one edge of that and screwed it in level with the higher lip of the routed edge against the shed wall then just plopped the boards against that and used 40mm narrow crown staples to fix. I'm still building it, but I'm using the same board for the soffits (so also in that £300) with some insects mesh stapled in for breathability. As I said it was a lot of extra work with all that router work, but I do think it was worth it for the savings and that I have almost unreasonably thick cladding vs the usual

[@sumeraybuilds]

@craigerskine1280 it sounds like a lot of work but I love the approach. I’m sure others trying to reduce the cost will take inspiration from your comment. Good job 👍

[@JohnnyMotel99]

Curious to understand how the rebate worked. I thought tapered fence boards were designed to have a simple overlap to account for shrinkage.

[@rexgrignon5538]

Absolutely brilliant tutorial! You have a new subscriber. I'm just embarking on buying or building a workshop behind my house and this was very helpful (I'm in California).

[@sumeraybuilds]

Amazing! Welcome aboard :D

[@matthewsemple]

Great video - although as an average DIYer, when I built my shed, I did use concrete slabs. It was indeed a lot of work which I embarked on because I found 30 free concrete slabs on FB marketplace. If you're not in a hurry collecting free stuff in advance of your built can save a heap of cash.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Great tip!

[@StrayCatInTheStreets]

For insulation and internal finish, a 6mm Hardwood Faced Plywood with rock wool insulation will work about 20 euro per square metre. Fibreglass will be even cheaper but it's difficult to work with. Gyproc is great and you can get away with panelling it and filling the gaps between the panels with plaster then two or three coats of paint if a okay finish is required. I think OSB is the best cheapest option as OSB won't warp like Plywood and with a good sanding will have a nice painted finish. OSB is much denser aswell and the strands/fibres will soundproof more than plywood which is just veneers glued together.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Great tip, thanks 🙏

[@dougdavidson175]

Thanks Jack. Take care & stay safe.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Thanks Doug!

[@kirinkopalan4793]

simply brilliant and Happy Xmas and Happy new year to you and your family

[@sumeraybuilds]

🤟

[@JohnHavord]

Great video. Will certainly save some people, a significant amount, of money.

[@sumeraybuilds]

I hope so! Thank you 🙏

[@anthonyabbott947]

great video. I am in the planning phase now. this is an ace video that has put idea,s in my noggin. following you for more good advice.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@keendnb]

Actis Hybris insulation, no mess compared to PIR, has a built in vapour barrier and you don't get those angled cuts from a wandering saw blade you can get with PIR resulting in better insulation.

[@davidquirk8097]

I used slate for my roof and green oak for the cladding. I don't regret the expense of these materials as I'm not planning on having any maintenance costs.

[@sumeraybuilds]

I bet that look amazing, very nice man! 👌

[@davidquirk8097]

@sumeraybuilds Thanks, yes it does look nice, the oak has silvered nicely. As with all workshops, my one regret is not building it twice the size (mine is only 1.2 x 3.6 metres but it's big enough for most of my projects. I bought my insulation from Seconds & Co who are the sole agents for Kingspan seconds grade materials. I've used them a couple of times now and, apart from some corner damage to some of the pieces, I've been hard put to see where the defects are.

[@keendnb]

I built a 4m x 3m a couple of years ago, I bought some patio doors that were new but miss sized for a job. They have blinds inbuilt, I got a small window thrown in, cost me £300..... I also used Actis Hybris insulation with a cold roof.... Touch wood it's been super warm and dry

[@sumeraybuilds]

I’ve heard of that insulation, it was a little bit more expensive than PIR. But I can see the benefit, mainly avoiding the mess of install!!!

[@TX200AA]

When I built a workshop in my previous house, I made the walls from 6 inch thick aerated concrete blocks with Tyrolean render outside and plasterboard inside. Second-hand windows and a home made ledged and braced wooden door kept the cost down.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Very nice 👍

[@MonkeyBabba]

When i built mine this year before seeing this, for the ground i dug down 20" and filled with concrete and made it big enough to have 2" all the way around a concrete block and cemented them down i used gravel to fill the area around i made 12 footing in total and including the gravel i probably spent around £200 i also used bitumen sheets from Wickes for the roof and if i remember correct cost me a lot less then rubber roof, and a window brand new for £40 (builder measured wrong on a extension build lol) and a composite door for £80 i also got 2 metal sheds for free and stripped them down and re used the metal sheets for the side and back and used log lap for the front and other side besides that mines similar to yours and cost me around £2000 in total but i didn't do the electrics like you i just run and extension cable on a plug from the inside of the house through the wall and into the mancave/workshop all in trunking with 4 plug slots on the end but that suits me i also didn't insulate but i did invest in a diesel heater from amazon for the freezing weeks we have and oh boy was it the best investment i have ever made just thought i would try and put this out there for any one trying to do this on a tighter budget as saved a fortune.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Greta advise! Thanks for sharing 🙏

[@oojimmyflip]

I bought a 16ft by 10ft apex roof shed with double doors and two large windows it was £1000.00 it sits on 18 inch paving slabs and concrete blocks cemented on their sides together to create 2ft high pillars on which I have a 18ft by 12 ft 4 x 2 inch pressure treated frame covered with bitumen board I applied the bitumen myself two coats on both sides of the boards the shed has been standing 25 years and has only had one felt roof replacement and is water tight with its own guttering. The wooden roof beading securing the roof felt in place has been replaced with upvc beading as the wood was beginning to dry out and rot. Otherwise I spray the exterior woodwork annually with a cheap ebay electric spray gun and screwfix water proofed two coats after applying dried water based fence stain, the internal floor and walls are also treaded with the waterproofer. It only takes a couple of hours on a warm summer day. No rats underneath at all, there is a brick wall very close to the base frame on one side as the rest of the garden is raised by 3 ft to level it with 11 tons of soil. Rat problems come with things like bird feeders and open rubbish in the garden, less with a lot of cats in the area. Our outlay although many years ago now was less than 2 grand all in. I also used galvsnised joist joints to build the frame before covering in bitumen board.

[@sumeraybuilds]

That sounds like you got a bargain, but goo dluck trying to get a decent timber shed for £1k these days... Great work!

[@bartoni79]

Do you work in it as an office or is it just used as a shed?

[@jack_irl]

Excellent video thankyou! I hope you put rubber gromets in your backboxes 😅 edit: your demo clip that came up for 5 seconds didnt have any, but i see in the overview of your full backboxes around the room that you did so nice one 😄

[@sumeraybuilds]

Haha I did indeed!

[@thedestroyer3262]

Got my door for £35 and windows were free (basically brand new upvc one window still had it's protective wrapper), if you are patient you can do stuff very cheap for the same spec.

[@sumeraybuilds]

That's an amazing deal, well done!

[@GizmoKid]

Electric sockets are like PC processing power and IT storage, think of how many you need, and then double that number. Then you will be happy in a years time. If you go with the first number, welcome to the annual upgrade cycle!! Great video, good advice.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Greta tip!! Thanks you! 🙏

[@simonpercival-f6r]

In uk outbuildings don’t require building regs under 30 square meters provided the building does not have any sleeping accommodation and is at least 1m from the boundary OR is constructed of substantially non-combustible materials

[@sumeraybuilds]

100%, i did simplify this for the video but encorage everyone to watch my full breakdown where I go into all the details :D

[@bosher11]

Correct but Roof height adjacent to neighbour must be less than 2.5m. My building is 7.5x4 (exterior) and made of sips. Built the thing and a neighbour dobbed me in to West Oxfordshire planning. I had the phone call with them and they came and inspected it. My building is 2.49m on that side (left side of my garden) and 1m from boundary. My garden slopes away from the left side so actually my front side (on the right if looking down the garden) is about 2.8m if measured from ground level. (I built it on groundscrews). This isn't a problem and they wrote to me saying they were happy with it.

[@PhilipBallGarry]

Excellent video, thanks. These savings could potentially save me enough so that my lathe has a proper home (vs installing it in the dining room 😅)

[@chrisedwards2539]

I got 2 large pvc DBL glazed window and front door and frame the same with keys. Just foamed them in place. Was super cheap and quick and really good. Manufacturers of pvc windows normally have a stock of windows and doors built the wrong size so you'd need to buy them before doing the walls. 2nd hand would still be a lot cheaper.

[@sumeraybuilds]

You got a bargain, congrats!

[@richtame2501]

I would say that surface mount electrical is a better idea as you can change it easily. I built my workshop, a tad larger and all tantalised. Raised floor on concrete pads every 4 feet due to possible weight and the ground slopes. Also connecting the the rear of a 40’ container. Add a log burner. Toasty I am a retired electrical engineer. 6x3 bench, very heavy made of all 4x2 clamped and glued. Also on wheels and locks. Additional bench under windows for electrical work. 16a outlets and 110v outlets fully insulated for sound and warmth. Sockets on ceiling are handy. Old filing cabinets for storage throughout container also for longer items. LED lights, a lot more than you would think. I have cataracts.

[@richtame2501]

Accident post too soon lol Be careful on cheap wood burners. Get a decent flue and also a house connected heat(not smoke) alarm I also used carpet tiles on floor to stop things bouncing to infinity lol. Not too bad to clean and replace Insulation is walls, floors and ceiling. Warm in winter and cooler in summer. I highly recommend the extra expense if you spend a lot of time in there. Hopefully this helps

[@sumeraybuilds]

I didn't want to have surface mounted, which is why I put in a sh**load of sockets, so I wouldn't ever need to move them around. Love the tip about insulation. I'm working in it now (Nov) and it's very toasty :D

[@theelectricmonk3909]

WRT Tip 1 (planning permission) - note that to be an automatic "permitted development", the entire new structure MUST be fully behind/level with the front facade of your existing main building. i.e. you can build it in a back or side garden no problem - if you want it in a garden in front of your house (even if it's off to a side), you need planning permission. The relevant clause reads: "any part of the building, enclosure, pool or container would be situated on land forward of a wall forming the principal elevation of the original dwellinghouse". I'm also not sure what (if any) rules would apply if, for example, I built TWO separate 15sq/m buildings kinda next to each other. At some later date I might "accidentally" join them... but initially they'd definitely be two separate buildings...

[@sumeraybuilds]

Yeah I’m not sure on the last point here. Joining two structures together is a bit of a grey area.

[@mondotv4216]

In Australia we'd just whack up a galvanised (or colourbond) steel shed. Of course we don't really have to worry about the cold (much).

[@sumeraybuilds]

You guys are lucky! 🍀

[@knackeredrovers]

You can save even more if you search hard for secondhand or reclaimed materials. I’ve built a 3m x 5m shelter to work on a project vehicle that’s entirely constructed from reclaimed timber from thirty eight 2.4m x 0.8m pallets at £2 each; the pallets are made of three lengths of 4x2 and 20mm slats, so they’ve donated some substantial materials. Roof is currently Eternit corrugated concrete sheets obtained free off marketplace. No windows. I made a pair of double doors using the 4x2, ledged and braced, to give me a decent opening if I need it. Current spend is under £100 as I have even reused the nails from the pallets. Couple of boxes of decent screws, four hinges for the doors. I have deliberately constructed it in sections so that it can be dismantled and rebuilt. Yes, it’s currently a bit draughty and totally uninsulated, but it’s keeping the rain and wind off the lorry for the winter. My plan, when it’s done with, is to make a timber base, then rebuild it as a shed “inside out” so that the current pallet wood slats form the inside walls, and then I will use insulation between the studs, followed by tyvek wrapping outside, then clad it with either tannalised featheredge or shiplap tongue and groove. I might put a window in it, but if I do it’ll be a salvaged double glazed one.

[@sumeraybuilds]

It sounds like a LOT of effort, and I think I'm too impatent to take pallets apart! But I can certainly see that if you're willing to put the time in you can do a build out of reclaimed materials for a very low price! Congrats!

[@knackeredrovers]

@@sumeraybuilds Yes, I will happily admit that breaking down pallets is very time consuming, not to mention pretty hard work. If you’re time rich and cash poor though…

[@1966ars]

If you are going to use rockwool then wrap each piece in a space blanket, which you can cut to size and hold together with sellotape. It is a super cheap way to stop heat loss by IR radiation.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Great tip 👍

[@johnlightfoot9967]

For cladding use 9mm ish ply or osb. Then apply Resitex base and top coat following their instructions. Will last years and colour options are huge.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Great tip!

[@guystreeton5274]

For £7617 I’d fit shower and toilet. You can build a very good workshop for far less. My 4x3 metre workshop cost me £1600 and I managed to get 2 brand new double glazed windows £20 each. Buying second hand doors and windows is hit and miss you could easily be waiting months for the right sizes to turn up or end up travelling miles to get something that will fit your needs. Roofing felt is cheaper and easy to use even if you have to replace it in years to come. My felt and adhesive was £100. 2 rolls of high performance green mineral and 5 ltr tin of glue.

[@sumeraybuilds]

That’s crazy cheap. Was this recently?

[@MC-nb6jx]

We looked at rubber roof but on balance we decided a fibreglass roof would be the better longer term solution.. Easy to self install as well..

[@sumeraybuilds]

Fair enough!

[@markstothard2100]

Need vcl to insulation. Osb on the roof is on cold side so will get condensation on underside.

[@sumeraybuilds]

I did have a vapour barrier on the inside. Are you saying that you would have put one on the top side? Nobody I have seen doing that has ever suggested that.

[@martinpook5707]

The only thing I would add is to batten the floor, add some insulation and chipboard flooring. Not a lot of additional cost but much nicer for your feet.

[@sumeraybuilds]

I didn't want to eat up and more ceiling height as I'm quite tall. But agree that would improve heat loss via the floor.

[@jamesc499]

Managed mine for £3500 ish, really cutting back. Same size, but I used metal clading, just a 2m sliding door no window, and cheap polystyrene insulation. Wood fame on raised concrete blocks as ground screws are expensive. Your video was spot on though with all the points.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Sounds like you already followed most of the tips I mentioned, great job! £3.5k is extremely good going!

[@markstothard2100]

Put mine on old bricks from storage heaters at a 1.2m grid. Still solid after 8 years

[@sumeraybuilds]

So you went for the 'Raised timber frame' option as I have described it here. It's certainly the cheaper way to go and glad to hear it's still going strong!

[@jorgeandrade1244]

Any rats?

[@contessa.adella]

Wickes do free delivery for orders over about 90 quid.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Very true!

[@paul-57]

I'm lucky, we're allowed 30m2 without planning permission. That's enough for a small garage, put a tool shed next to it, 10m2 and I've got a great setup. I would definitely put re bar in any slab more than 2m in any one direction. Well worth the cost for the extra strength.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Oh wow! Very nice! I put rebar into mine!

[@james.telfer]

Insulation: You should insulate either under the slab (creates thermal mass if you have South facing window/door) or above so you're not trying to warm the world with interior heating. Think about your thermal breaks and you'll barely need to heat inside. Also, to air seal the insulation you need to fill all the tiny gaps around the slabs with foam first (a PITA) or use a flexible insulation like rockwool instead or your just losing heat that way. Even decent builders aren't going to get every slab millimetre perfect, so PIR is just asking for leaks.

[@sumeraybuilds]

I didn't insulate the floor, after about 1 hour of a 2000k heater being on it's plenty warm enough in here - and it's currently Nov. Although I agree it would be more effiecent to have the floor insulated too.

[@RFC3514]

Did you consider using a shipping container? From what I've seen, a second hand one in good condition (with just under 15 m² internal floor area) can be bought for around £1k. And you can find some "container offices" (that come with at least one door and one window pre-installed, sometimes electrical outlets as well) for around £1.5k. It wouldn't be ready to use, but it might be a good starting point. And (in theory, at least) you could even move it to a different location in the future if you decide to rearrange your yard. I guess the main problem is that they're a bit narrow, and (for a workshop) you'd want a squarer "aspect ratio".

[@sumeraybuilds]

I honestly didn't, I don't really like the idea of them and I was really looking forward to the building aspect. I do agree that it sounds like a very viable idea and worth considering!

[@whomadethatsaltysoup]

Yes, building your own shed can certainly add up. That said, some of the off the shelf options I've seen are just shocking. Eye-watering prices for firewood. Honestly, 2x1 frame, no insulation, paper thin cladding, and absolutely tiny. Your best tip has to be, get some friends.

[@sumeraybuilds]

I 100% agree the prefab sheds and workshops simply don’t compare to the solid nature of a properly built self build! And 100% friends make those hard days easier!

[@ashleydawson5070]

Thought permitted development outbuildings floor area limitation was: not more that 50% of the outdoor area and a maximum of 15m2 if the building is within 0.4m of a boundary and a maximum of 30m2 if more than 1m from a boundary - to comply with non-habitable building regulations?

[@sumeraybuilds]

Yes I know, I recommend watching my full planning video.

[@SE-hi3my]

Would you recommend insulation under the concrete base?

[@sumeraybuilds]

I didn’t and can honestly say it’s been lovely and warm over the winter after just 1 hour of a heater being on. Plus I’m enjoying the extra head room.

[@r.v6290]

Nice job. Awesome tips. Just a question I thought you didn't need planning or building regs anything upto 30m² along as the building is 1m away from your neighbours boundary?? Thanks again

[@sumeraybuilds]

Yes, exactly. And I think most people will not want to waste more than 1m behind all sides of their structure

[@rogerhargreaves2272]

Get a diesel heater. The modern ones are cheap & efficient, you can run them from your phone.

[@sumeraybuilds]

I didn’t even though these were a thing!

[@rogerhargreaves2272]

@ Lookup HCalory toolbox diesel heaters on KZbin. You mount them outside your shed and they duct hot dry fresh air inside.

[@rogerhargreaves2272]

@ kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIfHnmyboZmKqLMsi=xlnAeib5uuK6ktcB

[@truefoa]

Great video. I'm contemplating building a shed/work space and this video helped immensely. Lots to think about.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Glad to hear it 🙏

[@arhodes2866]

Thank you

[@sumeraybuilds]

You're welcome

[@derekclark7545]

how did your electrian get away letting you do some of the work, new install part P they have to do it all and have to sign that they did.

[@sumeraybuilds]

He did check everything I did over and tested thoroughly!

[@elgee]

“ you could throw a cat in here” 😂

[@sumeraybuilds]

😂😂

[@The-Scots-man]

I built a summerhouse larger than your workshop. It included 21mm roof and floor with a rubber roof. It has double glazed windows and double doors with guttering. I reinforced the corners with extra support beams and all the wood was pressure treated. I set it on a raised timber frame with decking made from Canadian redwood. It cost half of what you paid. I’m puzzled at how you spent so much.

[@sumeraybuilds]

When did you build it? Materials cost a lot more recently vs 5/ 10 years ago!

[@The-Scots-man]

@@sumeraybuilds yeah I built it last year and built the deck the year before. I did it all myself without help so I guess I saved money that way.

[@IIIIIIPETEIIIIII]

I built a 10m3 garden room, with EPDM roof, timber cladding, wiring, plastered interior, laminate flooring, fully insulated and soundproofed, new window and secondhand patio door - £2500! That was 2021.

[@sumeraybuilds]

That's incredibly good going! 2021 we post covid/ super inflation so not sure how you managed it but congrats!

[@IIIIIIPETEIIIIII]

@@sumeraybuilds I know! Seems too good to be true, but everything was a great deal cheaper then. I was lucky in that there was already a concrete base, which needed levelling, slightly altering.

[@ammej768]

You could have saved a ton of money by going to Dunster House in Bedford and buying a complete kit !!

[@sumeraybuilds]

I have a Dunster House cabin, it 100% was cheaper to build my own and the end result is much better. Not to mention this workshop is warm in winter. Good luck being warm in those cabins this time of year!

[@Llamberg.Railway]

With my planning permission I made a simple plan to scale and a site plan which the council found acceptable, for the building regs I negotiated a reduction in fees as a building inspector does not require as much inspection as a general house build.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Sounds like a good approach, I didn’t realise they’d accept a rough sketch!

[@Llamberg.Railway]

@@sumeraybuilds as long as it’s to scale and description of cladding to be used ect is shown. In fact I did swap the windows and doors arround, the building inspector was not bothered as was more interested in materials and construction methods. It did become rather interesting when I described my damp proof method which they accepted.

[@dirtgoblin5118]

Great video, even from an American POV. Although, I'm disappointed you didn't use the word "quid" a single time.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Haha 😂 my bad! 😅

[@Dufffaaa93]

Do you have snow there? Will insulation on interior side of vapor barrier cause condensation and mould?

[@sumeraybuilds]

We do occasionally, honestly I don’t know. I don’t think it will because I have an air gap on the cladding and above the ceiling insulation. Also I have vapour barrier on top of the insulation on the inside. 🤞

[@uncensored5104]

Where did you get 15sq meters from? Everything I have read on the subject; you can build outbuildings on up to 50% of your land (with a few exceptions) without the need for planning. And a single building can be up to 30sqm before needing planning or building regs.

[@sumeraybuilds]

It's 15m2 if it's within 1m of the boundry line. I highly recomend watching my full planning permission video which covers everything!

[@trailblazer7108]

Will be buying your plans. Is it true that using composite cladding on the external allows you to go up to 30sqm internal?

[@sumeraybuilds]

Glad to hear it! And not quite, you need a non-combustable material like metal/ brick. I don't believe all composites are non-combustable so you'd need to check. I'd also suggest checking out my planning video so the full breakdown.

[@oojimmyflip]

Jesus £12.50 for double glassing hinges, I just had a quote for one tiny downstsirs bathroom window £200.00 fitted that's mental, I'll be doing it myself now.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Yes deffo try and do hinges yourself. It's not particulary difficult and you'll save a fortune in labour costs!

[@GundamGir1]

But some of the cabins cost less and comes with doors n windows. Whats your thoughts on apex or pent roof, which would you say best for a workshop build.

[@sumeraybuilds]

I have both a wooden (dubstep house) cabin and my workshop. If I could go back in time I would 100% change the cabin to a workshop style build. It’s sooo much warmer!!! And built to a much higher standard. Those summer houses really do move a lot between seasons which make them not ideal for a workshop. And I vote for a pent/ flat roof all the way! Much better for internal height and easier to build imo.

[@bartoni79]

What do you mean by “they move a lot”? And why is that bad?

[@GundamGir1]

@@bartoni79 some that are made with clip in wooden long boards,that you slot n cross in a square, tend to shift after a while. I went n saw one that had been up for a years and they'd sprayed expanding foam to fill in the gaps between the boards.

[@georgefraser4623]

You are allowed to build on 50% of your curtilage as in half your land from front elevation of house back the way to rear property line ,so in short you are allowed a lot more than 15m² , I have a double garage that's 40m² and the council were involved at every stage as long as you are 1m off the boundary of any neighbours and it it no higher than 3m at the eves and 4.5m at the apex , this is in Scotland and it's still under permissable development rules, so I would check with local council as even before these rules came in it was 30m2 internal size under old rules.

[@aceofspades5786]

this is my understanding, provided it is not located in a conservation area where PD rights are removed under article four.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Yes you’re correct that as long as it’s more than 1m from the boundary you can have it bigger. I suggest watching my full video for the entire breakdown.

[@PabloTBrave]

Can you have multiple 15m out buildings without specific permission?

[@sumeraybuilds]

Yes as long as and it's not more than 50% of the outside space. I'd suggest watching the planning permission video I made which covers everything.

[@contessa.adella]

Woa…I was lucky then. I built a covered dry space, like a car port, beside and attached to my house it was 6,5 m long and 2.3 m wide. Just barely within the 15sq metres. I didn’t even know about the regulation.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Haha sometimes ignorance is bliss. If it’s been there 3 years I think you’ve technically gotten away with it!

[@kxjx]

It's not really money saving in the short term but you can go for thermowood cladding which is wood but also vastly more resistant than chemical treated timber

[@sumeraybuilds]

Great suggestion!

[@MrMadmalable]

I,m gunna knock my old send down soon to build a bigger one, will make it apex roof and use reclaimed slate to roof it. I cannot get the slate free when we strip an old terrace house and lay the roof myself.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Slate roofs are 👌 congrats!

[@BigTJK]

Hi. Is there a height limit?

[@sumeraybuilds]

Yes it’s 2.5m, check out my planning video for the full details 😃

[@TPCider]

Your design … was it done on sketch up ? Wouldn’t mind doing mini plan for mine …

[@sumeraybuilds]

Yes it was, the free one is awesome

[@basilkearsley2657]

Why not use SIPs?

[@sumeraybuilds]

What's that?

[@endaf]

In my opinion wood cladding in is a big NO, especially in Wales where I live, it will rot no matter how you preserve it. And you can never have too many sockets

[@sumeraybuilds]

Haha I agree ☝️

[@DICEGEORGE]

save more by making it 4.8 m long so its full sheets of osb ?

[@sumeraybuilds]

I'm not sure it would make a huge difference. Even if you did make the roof finish perfectly at 4.8m to maximise the OSB3 you'd end up needing slightly more/ less insulation, platerboard ect which would likely offset any potenital saving.

[@TimBrennan-i3v]

Size To avoid planning permission and BC the garden room can't be larger than 50% of the garden area, or 30 square meters in size. If the room is within 1 meter of a boundary, it can't be larger than 15 square meters.

[@sumeraybuilds]

That's 100% correct - I break this all down in my dedicated planning video

[@ChrisLambert-Yngvegodi]

How much were the fixings?

[@sumeraybuilds]

What fixings do you mean?

[@ChrisLambert-Yngvegodi]

@@sumeraybuilds screws, nails anything like that etc because they are not cheap.

[@sumeraybuilds]

@@ChrisLambert-Yngvegodi Oh i see, probs around £150. I have included them within all the totals as I've been going through.

[@iantheinventor8151]

The phrase is “Swing a Cat” which is something I’d never do 😉

[@sumeraybuilds]

Haha same here 🙀

[@bertiewooster3326]

I. Just walk into the planning office and ask .

[@sumeraybuilds]

😂

[@Whichbindoesthisgoin]

Step one - make some friends Ok that’s me falling at the first hurdle then. I’ll get an old shed off freecycle & see if I can stretch it a bit 🤔

[@sumeraybuilds]

😂😂😂😂

[@CRAZYCR1T1C]

Planing costs and building control costs much much more that what you said.overall cost of planning is north of 1000

[@sumeraybuilds]

I was trying to use conservative estimates, at £1k there’s even more of a reason to avoid it if you can! 👌

[@Tom-gv2eo]

May I ask - are Planning fees the same across England ? Or can difrent Councils charge varying fees?😮

[@nickturpin709]

No free resubmissions for planning applications anymore. Latest regs have removed this as an option😮

[@sumeraybuilds]

That sucks!! Thanks for sharing!

[@richardhearne3605]

As a tradesperson myself it seems that you didn’t have a clue on the technical aspects of the build and the so-called eye watering bill from the electrician was in keeping with the vernacular. My advice , before jumping into something that you have very little knowledge about pay for some professional advice, it will save you a lot of money in the long term and you shouldn’t make any mistakes

[@sumeraybuilds]

👍

[@Tom-gv2eo]

What trade are you. -- to give such stern advice? The designer /builder didn't make 1 'serios mistake' that I could detect. I envy his work, compared to my old leaky sheds!😮

[@GeekBatman]

Incorrect. Permitted development also has a limit on the amount of land you have developed, I believe this is 50% of your land, including your existing and already planned additions. You are not automatically 'allowed' to build an addition of ANY kind without planning if you will exceed this limit. This limit can however be avoided if the addition is a temporary structure (put it on wheels 😉).

[@sumeraybuilds]

Yes that’s lots of caveats. Certainly worth checking out my full video planning permission if anyone is unsure!

[@GeekBatman]

It does. I thought it was important to highlight this part specifically because it appeared as though you said you can build x, y, z and that was that. This is the first video of yours I have seen and while you might have other content that would explain this away, people might just watch this video and hear it as gospel. You know?

[@Walt_G]

I thought you were allowed up to 30 square meters floor space.

[@Walt_G]

Just watched your planning video, it explains it all very nicely. Thanks.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Glad to hear that cleared things up! 😎

[@lukescovell8294]

Electrics were £922 but the electrician cost £360. How on earth did you manage to spend £562 on electrical materials?

[@sumeraybuilds]

Cable, aurmoured cables were like £120. Fuse box, inside bits for the fuse box. 15 x double sockets were about £4 each. Back boxes, clips. 10 spotlights and 5 outside stoplights. Emergency off switch.

[@WasteNotWood]

Where is 1p to grand episodes?

[@sumeraybuilds]

😂 I might have to get back on it based on all the comments I keep getting line this!

[@WasteNotWood]

@@sumeraybuilds coz it was amazing idea

[@694ben]

I agree that's the reason I subscribed tbh

[@deanstarkey7686]

As a planning consultant, your commentary regarding planning is a little simplistic and wrong in areas. For example, the two attempts at a planning application is incorrect. The 'free go' as it was known by was removed on 6th December 2023. You will therefore need to pay for another planning application should you withdraw or have an application refused.

[@sumeraybuilds]

I did intentionally simplify it in order to reduce the total time spent on it during this video and made sure to encourage everyone to check out the full length video I made going into much more detail. I didn’t realise the ‘free go’ had been removed, that’s a bummer! And even more of a reason to (legally) avoid planning permission ! Thanks for sharing 🙏

[@markstothard2100]

Also planning has height restrictions

[@markstothard2100]

Built a life boat station on sand on a raft foundation!

[@gavinlea2007]

Also, 50% rule

[@simonrimington3231]

Its only 15m2 if its within 1m of a boundary and built from combustible materials. If the building is either more than 1m from a boundary or its built from substantially non combustible material then the size limit is 30m2. As regards the "free go", an applicant will still be able to benefit from a free-go if their application was withdrawn or refused. Also there is a height restriction depending on whether the roof is flat or pitched and its proximity to a boundary and whether that boundary is a side or rear boundary

[@d1btd3265]

But this isn't true. It doesn't have to be 15m2 to avoid building regs, it can be up to low 30-something.

[@sumeraybuilds]

This is true, I go into this in the full planning permission video!

[@TheTimeProphet]

I got no building skills at all. I am useless with a drill. I like the idea though LOL.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Maybe this isn't for you... 😂

[@dmcgwhisper5945]

You could have had one made for less. Plenty of used garden sheds cheaper than this.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Of course, but I’d challenge anyone to find a second hand shed anywhere near as well built as this.

[@kxjx]

You can defo get a new 3x5 prefab shed for a lot less but you have to look at the spec e.g. roof strength, insulation, tightness etc. E.g. doing the building wrap and rain screen cladding adds a lot of labour and cost but makes the building massively more weather tight and cheaper to heat. Etc. I think there is a minimum spec that makes it a garden room instead of a shed. Edpm roof, insulated floor,roof,walls. Building wrap and rainscreen cladding. Guttering. Electric. Finished internal walls, ceiling, floor. Proper (house windows and doors). Especially if its full of expensive tools having this level of security and environment (dry!) does make a difference.

[@druffrider]

The 15sq meters rule is simply not true.

[@sumeraybuilds]

I do explain the nuances in the video

[@johngreensmith63]

Planning in Leicestershire r horrible and u don’t get a second chance believe me

[@sumeraybuilds]

That sucks!

[@hughjampton1561]

You dont need anning permission as long S your garden is big enough znd you aint gonner live n it.. not accurate.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Incorrect.

[@sahhull]

Simple.... Dont call it a workshop.... A 15m sq shed doesnt need planning consent, no need to even call them. Its a permitted development project. I made my own window using 2nd hand sealed units... Made my own door. Why are you buying windows and doors?

[@sumeraybuilds]

That’s not true, a shed can’t be over either. It’s still classed as an out building!

[@sahhull]

@@sumeraybuilds what did I say that wasnt true? Did I say it was over? The words I typed looked pretty clear to me. You dont need planning consent for a shed up to 15m sq. No need to pay them a penny. How do I know... I talked to the planning wombles. No need to pay for plans, no need to pay for designs, no need to pay for anything except the materials... Unless youre going to pay someone to build it for you. Some areas have a height limitation, but generally as long as its single story... Its fine.

[@RFC3514]

Coming soon: 1 EVEN EASIER way to save £7617 by not building a workshop. 😉

[@sumeraybuilds]

😂😂

[@drmindbender8616]

Your electrical advice is dangerous and misleading you are wiring a workshop I would never recommend surface mount all your sockets should be metal clad with possibly RCD in each socket you also put in thermal insulation adjacent to power cable did you factor in a the increase in cable size I.E. 2.5 has to go to 4mm when put in thermal insulation ?? I think you should look at a few e-fixx or look at John Ward vids before you put this out on youtube

[@jamescarter1088]

Good video, but please. £360 per day for a skilled trade running a business (and one who connects and commissions YOUR work.) Is not eye watering, it's a gift you should be greatful of. That's just £45 per hour for eight hours or £60 per hour for six hours. Please think before you speak. Nice one👍🏻

[@sumeraybuilds]

For the record, I think an electrician was worth every penny. I certainly couldn't/ wouldn't/ shouldn't take that work on myself. The eye-watering reference was coming from someone who's trying to keep costs down and this was the only labour I ended up paying more.

[@jamescarter1088]

Ok I understand, however as a trade myself (plumber and gas safe registered) I understand the costs involved in running a business like this. Costs keep going up, and as a reputable tradesperson I find these kinds of comments both ignorant and insulting. Our relevant trade bodies actually dont allow us to commission work not carried out by our business and you are sticking your neck out if you do so. Clearly a demonstration of needing the work and bending the rules to get it. If somebody asked me to commission their illegal work, I would refuse to do so out of principal. Comments like that are not good for the image of skilled trades and it doesn't help our industry which is our livelyhoods. If only we could sit behind a computer and edit videos to get views 😂

[@jamescarter1088]

So "For the record" your actions were wrong in the first place, and then you insult the electrician for describing his price as "eye watering" despicable really. But I'm sure you didn't know.

[@Shutityou]

@@jamescarter1088is it your time of the month?

[@andybarbet73]

At £360 for the lecky thats a bargain i'de say 👍👍

[@cw7767]

You only need planning if they have jurisdiction. Which they do not. Know law. Legislation is not law and needs consent. Private property is private. No public jurisdiction.

[@sumeraybuilds]

This is just incorrect.

[@Tom-gv2eo]

Beware - don't in Th 'bad books' of a Dis trict Council : they'll win in th end + -^ Demolish ^. Tats wot happend to daugther of "Tom " the 99yr old 'walkround his garden fuindraisr' who misused some £££ to build a swim pool without permisn😮

[@professor-viewsalot]

Crap. My workshop: I BUILT in SE England WAS 30 FT X 33 FT. I built it on my very thick concrete base and I built 10" thick solid walls. When the planning inspector turned up and complained that I had no planning permission, I said no problem. He was confused. I asked if he had ever read his councils building permissions regulations. Further confused he said yes, So I said I don't need any planning permission. He said my workshop is extreemly big. I said, "no it isnt and I wish I had built it bigger as I am allowed to do". Poor man bit off more than he could chew with me. I asked him to show me his own copy of the regulations so as I havent basterdized them. He showed me the regulations and I showed him some sentences in them. OHhhhh! He said, "so yes I could have built it very much bigger if I wanted" I replied. He admitted defeat and agreed I was 100% legal, as he walked away to his car. 35 years later, my planning permission & regs free, workshop has served me well.

[@sumeraybuilds]

😂😂 fair enough, I’m not sure you’d get away with it these days!

[@Tom-gv2eo]

Clearly , theyv altered Planning Regs since 1986 😊 yu are lucky!

[@guystreeton5274]

Hi SB. I started my building my workshop just before lockdown ,thankfully I bought a lot of materials before hand when the prices were lower at the time and I was lucky to be able to build my workshop whilst I was laid off work for 9 weeks I have also built my missus a 10x6 ft shed for £600 approximately which was I did last summer. I have tried to attach photos but have not been able to.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Nice work!

[@GizmoKid]

Electric sockets are like PC processing power and IT storage, think of the number you will need, and then double it. Do this, and you will be happy in a years time. Go with the first number, and welcome to the annual upgrade cycle. Good video, great advice.

[@sumeraybuilds]

Haha so true!! 😂