So, you know what you want to use your outdoor studio or workshop for. You know that wood is by far the best material available for construction. You are already aware that modern timber buildings can be so well insulated that they're easy to keep warm in winter and cool in summer. You know that a manufacturer such as Shields Buildings can create a bespoke timber building just for you that meets your exact requirements. All well and good!
Unless you are an experienced surveyor, you might find it difficult to visualise how a new timber studio will fit into the space you have available. The truth is, it's amazing how little space you need for something like this. The smallest outdoor studio needs little more than 2 metres by 2.5 metres for a corner plot. The beauty of ordering a bespoke timber building is that you can easily work with the space that you have.
The door and the windows can be placed strategically for the easiest access and greatest light while maximising the available space. The whole framework can be built to a specification that fits as snugly as possible into the area you choose.
Have a look at the areas in your garden in which you're thinking of having your studio constructed, and measure the available space with a measuring tape. Take into account any neighbouring shrubs or bushes that you could move or remove which would increase your available space.
If your land is nice and flat, construction can begin whenever you are ready. If your land isn't level, there may be some landscaping required to prepare it for the base of your building. In either case, you will need to take into account that the site should be slightly larger than the planned building to allow air to circulate around it.
It's worth remembering that unless you live in a listed building, National Park, the Broads or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) there are very few rules and regulations attached to adding outbuildings to your property. They are classed as what is called 'permitted development'. Provided you don't intend to live in your new studio, you should have no problems! For more information click here.
When considering how tall you want your studio to be, the rules are simple, provided you do not build in front of the front elevation of your property. If your new studio will be situated less than 2 metres from the boundary of your property, then the height restriction is 2.5 metres – more than enough for most practical purposes. If it is to be more than 2 metres from the boundary, then the height restriction is generally between 3 and 4 metres, depending on the type of roof you opt for. In either case, that's ample room for most people's requirements. If you really must have something larger, you will have to gain planning permission before work can start.
If you have an idea of what you would like to have built but are unsure if you have enough space, you can speak to one of our experts for some guidance. Just get in contact, we're always happy to help. Simply call us on 01837 82442 or email us here.