Please tell me the things I need to know about constructing an outdoor cabin in the garden

[Anothermountain]

Thinking of constructing a cabin at the bottom of the garden for our teens as a place for them and their friends to escape to. We can get an electricity cable down there. I'd love to hear from people who have already done this and what you need to know, any potential drawbacks etc please?

Some things I am worried about:

• heating
• slugs
• damp
• cost
• the surface it's built on

Anything else I should be thinking about please?

@Anothermountain pp is planning permission

The most important thing to consider is the impact that having this structure may have on your neighbours. You say it’s a city garden, so presumably there are neighbours in close proximity. Are you expecting that your dc will be unsupervised at all hours? Watching movies, playing music, having lots of friends over? It’d be my worst nightmare!

That would be the least important thing to consider in my book , just because your neighbours might not like something you do , does that mean you can’t do it ??? I think it’s a great idea op , I would have loved somewhere at the bottom of the garden to chill out with mates when I was younger.

@Chumleymouse

That would be the least important thing to consider in my book , just because your neighbours might not like something you do , does that mean you can’t do it ??? I think it’s a great idea op , I would have loved somewhere at the bottom of the garden to chill out with mates when I was younger.

I think the potential for anti social behaviour means this needs to be thought through carefully. I agree, just because a neighbour doesn’t like something you do isn’t automatically a reason not to do it, however, there has to be limits on what is generally acceptable to everyone. A little consideration on both sides goes a long way!

You say it’s a long thin city garden - does that mean it’s terraced housing? You’ll have to consider how you get all the materials and any needed machinery in place. In our case the only access would be through the house which is why we haven’t done it yet…

This is besides the point but OP @Anothermountain do the slugs get into your kitchen with the door closed? Can anyone comment on slug deterrence as this is my worst fear and I'd love a garden office at some point too.

Use a proper builder! We used a stupid cocky landscaper to build ours and it’s leaking already six months on!

we are looking at doing this, we're downsizing completely and were hoping to use it for visitors on the odd occasion... so sofa bed, electricity, possible compost loo!

That Dunster link looks really good. We've been scooting about the internet looking for ideas and some prices are just eyewatering, and when you compare items there seems to be no logic as to why!

We'd be able to put ours up DIY I reckon probably with just a few harsh words and intend to insulate it well also.

Dh thinks it is going to be a ManCave, it will be a She'd.

If your teens are going to be playing music, watching films etc, especially late at night then think about soundproofing for you and your neighbours sake!

Thank you again for all of these very helpful responses!

Will definitely take account of my neighbours with whom we have very good relations; definitely would not want to jeopardise that. Also, my teens are relatively quiet ... . But we will definitely consider sound-proofing and the impact any noise or disturbance will have on those around us. That would be a top priority.

Rollercoaster yes I like the idea of brick but think we may run in to "permanent structure" territory in terms of planning ... will investigate ... . But I think that explains the thousands of wooden structures about!

Noted about proper builder, thank you Angliski

Good luck with your project LaurieSchafferIsAllBitterNow

Love your garden room (like a mini loft or coach-house) Chumleymouse!

That sounds great chukwe and the cost is justified if you use it 12 hrs plus a day! Mmmm, teens being teens, I can imagine forking out for this and it being "too far" to walk down the garden in the dark! Maybe not if we make it attractive enough. I think it is important that it will add value to the house overall though.

Thank you to pp below who said consider access and if it all has to be carried through house - have noted that - thank you! Sorry can't find your post - rushing - but very helpful!

pegasussy about the slugs, I loathe them too so understand your concern. Ours do come in through kitchen door (that leads on to terrace) but I don't know how as there are no gaps that I can see. I put down a very rough door mat (stiff rust brown coir type thing??) and, judging from their silvery deposits early the next morning, that seems to make them turn around and go in the other direction!

Ours is properly soundproofed (more than the house) and is made of metal so is guaranteed for something like 25 years. It cost 12k from www.boothsgardenstudios.co.uk and went up in two days with no prep.

The only thing I would do differently is pay for the air conditioning unit on installation and the blinds. I have bodged solutions for heating (one tiny oil rad does the job) and blinds from Ikea but it is hot in summer.

No slugs, its completely sealed, hence the soundproofing. Fully cabled and WiFi'd from the house.

Don't bother installing an air conditioner if you're on a tight budget.

I have one but only use it when I'm running on my treadmill. The summer doesn't last long to warrant an AC. I used a fan and opened the window during this summer and it was more than enough.

Also, my AC is a bit noisy which I hate as I bought the 3.5kwh instead of 2.5kwh. Big mistake.

My build came with a 10 warranty from AMC Garden rooms