Building a brick outhouse/garage

[loply]

Hi folks,

Handy as I am with most things mechanical, I've never laid a brick in my life.

I'm looking to build a basic brick garage on some land I have.

From what I've gathered I'll lay a strip foundation of concrete, about 18 inches wide all around the perimeter, then I'll basically start laying the bricks in the normal pattern on top of this.

When I get to the top, I'll screw some timber in and drop some roof joists on top?

Anyhow what I'm seeking some advice on is:

1) What should I look out for to ensure I don't make laymans mistakes, being a new comer to this?

2) Should I lay breeze blocks on the inside too?

3) What's the best way to support the bricks above the doorway, with a horizontal timber or with some bricks turned sideways?

Thanks for any tips!
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[Weedy]

Quick Question, do you have planning permission?
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[loply]

I made the planner part of the foundations.

Nobody will know

Why do you ask? Huh? Do you want concrete shoes?
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[Kwaks]

Oh I see the resultant thread for next year


Bloody Council wants to tear down my garage......


Seriously though,without planning permission it will stop you selling the property at best
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[Weedy]

I'd really rather not have concrete shoes

Just if someone tells the council you're building then the coundil are well within their rights to tell you to rip it down.

Might save a lot of money and heartache to find out if you need it
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OWNED: 2008 Aprilia Pegaso Strada CURRENT: Bikeless :'(

[Kwaks]

Def needs it, foundations more than 6 inches into ground is the benchmark I think.
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[loply]

Planning permission shouldn't be a problem because the land is almost "internal", in so much as it is surrounded by our building(s) so nobody can see it, it will affect nobody but us.

Getting it watertight and level on the other hand, may yet prove to be a problem - Hopefully not though.
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[Weedy]

Doesnt matter whether anyone will see it. It's changing the existing use of the land
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[Scouse]

You can do a cavity if you like (breeze block inside) but for a cheap and cheerful garage there doesn't seem to be much point. 1 brick thick would be strong enough. Or you could just use breeze block and render/pebble dash which is usually quicker and more advisable if you aren't very tidy with a trowel. As for supporting the bricks over the door, it's a concrete lintel you want innit. Doesn't cost much at all and would be a darn site better than 'a horizontal peice of wood' unless its a chunky oak beam.

If you do decide to do the cavity wall I would advise laying blocks face down for a few courses or until around ground level and then starting with your brickwork.

Will go into more detail tomorrow if needed, I need some kip.

[Mal]

If I was a bit closer I'd offer to come and help, just coming up to finish my C&G (no, not Cheltenham and Gloucester - City & Guilds) in Intermediate Bricklaying.

There's definitely a knack to bricklaying, and it takes a while to pick it up. Getting all the corners square and plumb isn't as easy as it looks.

[cqueen]

Daz Nooby will know

[Gpz 900R]

As i always look for the easiest way to do things, i would just buy a second hand concrete prefab garage or large wooden shed that way if you move house you can take it with you.

[PsychoHippy]

I will point this thread out to MrsHippy. She works in planning enforcement so will be able to advise you on if you will need permission or not (and probably which regulations apply). I suspect that you will need permission, however if you build it and nobody complains (if nobody can see it nobody will complain) the council will probably not take action against you.
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[Anton]

Deleted.

[Anton]

Outbuildings, Sheds and Garages
You do not need to make a planning application to erect a garden shed, garage or other outbuilding providing the following criteria are met:

1. It must be used wholly for domestic purposes, and not for running a business, storing goods in connection with a business or parking a commercial vehicle.

2. It must not be nearer to any highway than the nearest part of the original house unless it would be more than 20m away from the highway.
You would therefore need to make an application for a garage in the front garden. If there is an access track to the rear of your property this may also be regarded as a highway for the purposes of the planning legislation and you may therefore also need to make an application for a garage in the rear garden if this is the case.

3. It must not result in more than half the garden around the original house being covered by buildings.

4. It must be less than 4m high if it has a ridged roof, or 3m high otherwise.

5. If you live in a listed building it must not have a volume of more than 10m³ measured externally.

6. If you live in a conservation area and the volume would be more than 10m3 measured externally the building will be counted as an extension.

Quoted from here: https://www.hastings.gov.uk/planning/planperxp.aspx#outbuildings

Info and ideas: https://www.ebackroad.com/a-bighammer-garage-planner.html

[Harley Godzisz]

[Annabella]

[Harley Godzisz]

so what if you can "conseal" the basement so it look's like it aint there??

[Annabella]

[Cillit-BANG]

Given any thoughts to dpc? Concrete base or leaving the grass to grow inside? Drainage? How are you finishing the gables? Getting electricity inside? Entrances? Mixing your mortor by hand?

Seriously, you need to get some advice and help from someone you know who is experienced, rather than relying on replies off the internet. There is far more to think about than how to simply lay brick. It is likely to cost several hundred pounds and take many man hours, getting it wrong will be a complete waste of both

For example if it's surrounded by buildings, how are you getting the concrete in for the flooring slab?

There are reasons why workers in the building trade charge out at hundreds of pounds per day, because it really isn't that simple. Sorry to sound negative.

If you want to do it yourself without planning, then just build yourself a nice large shed.

A classic example is the post lower down which clearly states you are fine to errect a garage without planning consent. Note you live in Newcastle and that extract is from Hastings Council . Every county has different takes on things. For example you cannot have windows replaced where we live without consent. Your local planning officer is there to help you, and a quick word and site visit will be most helpful.

[loply]

Cillit, thanks for your comments which are useful.

Luckily there's no grass there, it's just black gravel and by all accounts has been that way for decades.

Are you implying that renting a cement mixer would be neccessary?
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[Mal]

Hiring a cement mixer is not necessary, but it will make the job a LOT easier. Mixing the mortar by hand is bad enough, but making sufficient concrete by hand for the foundation and the base of the garage would be an absolute killer and take at least 4 times as long.

[Skudd]

You need to check what soil and sub soil you have, Work on £120 per cubic metre of ready mixed concrete, don't forget to make sure you have pillars every 6 foot and usean RSJ for above doorways . Make sure you have plans made( even fag packet ones are better than nothing) Your library should have a lot of ideas and easy step by step guides, havea go at doing a brick BBQ just so that youcan see the pros and cons of doing something so big.
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[Itchy]

Erm why rent a cement mixer? , why not just call a reputable ready mix company instead?,
its great if they can park right up to the area where needed as they can use the chute straight
on to your required patch if not they can park the cement wagon out front and wheel barrow load
after load after load into your desired hole,

I still remember doing this for my dad , you dig a hole , put in a thick plastic sheet
stick wooden slats on the edges , pour concrete , doesn't matter TOO much if you hole
isn't perfectly flat, since concrete is still liquid , when it goes in and should dry flat on top
IF you use a bigger piece of wood to 'shave' the top of the concrete.

watch out for stone content and try even it out with a rake , before shaving, crap companies use
lots and lots of stones to make a bigger profit, watch the buggers as they pour it into the hole,
for where all the stones go. and rake it out while you can see it.

you may want to start adding ground anchors once this is done ,

come back and you have a concrete foundation. When me and my dad worked as 'cleaners'
we had to do this on a regular basis to dispos.... erm forget that last bit.
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