Shipping containers as sheds / summerhouses

[Pierre]

Thought it was probably best to start this one in the Lounge as it's not strictly an ED issue...

We have a garden. It's got a shed at the bottom of it. It was there when we moved in; it's tiny and rotting and pretty much only good for firewood. I'd like to replace it.

I ride bicycles. I fix bicycles for a living (but am avoiding treading on the toes of MLteenie or the forthcoming EDR bike shop - I wish them all the best. That said, if you want your bike fixed at your house or place of work, give me a shout!) so would like somewhere secure to store my bikes and ideally set up a workshop, as well as storing the usual garden tools. I'm concerned by how easy it is to pretty much demolish most sheds if you're keen to have what's inside.

I've been drawn to the idea of a shipping container (painted a dark colour, with plants growing around and on top of it) as they're sturdy and very secure. Mrs. Pierre is reticent. She thinks it will subtract value from the house (rather than, I argue, adding it as a whole extra room at the bottom of the garden) and might attract derision from the neighbours. I have never cared what the neighbours think, but I'd want to make it as attractive and shed-like as possible. I think I have _some_ taste.

I appreciate my post is a little one-sided, but what do you good people of the EDF think? I'd be interested to know...

Cheers!

: P

[macroban]

Take some discreet advice on the planning regulations relating to sheds in gardens used for commercial purposes.

[ChavWivaLawDegree]

Sod the neighbours - go for it!

[snorky]

have you thought about how to get the mutha in situ ?

budget on a grand or so to buy a scraggy used one

[Huguenot]

Do they rust?

[ChavWivaLawDegree]

I saw some nice painted ones being used as little shops and bars in Jamaica - they didn't look rusty, but I don't know how long they had been there.

[eccentric]

Subject to the size of your garden and access it will fall foul of planning issues, I think primarily the height of a container is over the height of a garden structure that fits within permitted development, not to mention running a business from your garden. Check with Southwark planning

[Pierre]

Thanks all - it appears to be just within planning regulations (under 3m tall), it would take up a lot less than half the garden area, and I wouldn't be using it exclusively to run the business. Oh, and we've got a private road along the back of the property (other side of the back fence) so hopefully getting the thing in won't be a problem.

I think they do rust, eventually, but it probably takes longer than it does for a wooden shed to rot. Am thinking about ED-ing it and growing a Green Roof anyway!

But if I was your next door neighbour, would you get all grumpy about the state of the neighbourhood, or would you think it was a Good Thing?

: P

[Huguenot]

In the nicest possible way, I'd have been right royally pissed off. Apart from being fugly, I'd not really want industrial-chic invading my rural idyll :)

[Michael Palaeologus]

I think my response would be very pissed off.

Unlike a shed, a container is pretty much permanent - you are unlikely to want to move it once it is in-situ. Besides you will still need to put a window in, insulate it and probably install electricity.

The idea of a container does sound like a bit of a caprice, something you fancy the idea of rather than it being the best solution to a given need.

You need a storage space and somewhere to work, buy a big shed, insulate it and wire it up to the ring main. It will avoid upsetting the neighbours when you have no real need to.

I have seen containers being used to create affordable housing, which is great; if that is what you chose to do, not so great if you just find one dumped next door.

[SteveT]

I built my own shed a couple of years ago 20 feet by 14 feet it is double skinned shiplap on the out side and ply on the inside. It has double glazed windows roof and wall insulation and electricity and cost under ?3000.

It is less than one fifth of the garden and the neighbours contacted southwark to complain of an illegal building that had been erected. Sadly for them it was not an illegal erection:)

PM me for more details or if you wish to see it.

[david_carnell]

Steve - no one wants to see yout erection, legal or not.

Surely a brick built garage would be eqaully secure and somewhat less antagonistic?

[SteveT]

A blind person would be delighted to see my wonderful erection, David carnal.:))

[CRooney]

Dear P

Just got back from holiday. My builder installs logs cabins - they can be small ie. 3m x 3m would only be about ?1,500 to buy, but you would need to put down a base and it sounds like you go do with some electrics - which is where my builder comes in as he can do both. I've got a 5m x 5m in my garden which has roof, base and wall insulation and double-glazed windows and doors. Probably a bit bigger than you would want but it would serve as a good example of what you could get for not much money. Also - provided it doesn't take up more than 50% of your garden, you leave 1m boundary all around and it isn't higher than 4m - then you don't need planning permission because it's classed as a non-permanent structure. If you're interested in more info - viewing my log cabin then contact me.

[kai]

Hi do you have pics of your log cabin and can I have the builders number please