Garden buildings are a long-standing tradition in the UK. Essentially, the relaxation and unwinding value they bring makes them sough-after. You can erect your summer house in your garden on your own with just a little help and a bit of advice on how to do it for less. The good thing is it’s entirely possible, whether you’re well-versed with building one or not. This post outlines some of the steps on how to build a summer house on a budget.

The preliminaries of building a summer house

Before building your summer house, you need to think carefully about a few essential aspects to make the process seamless and more organised. Summer house lighting ideas need to be spot on, and the choice of the material needs to be less costly, working on a budget. Therefore, ensure that the following points check out.

The size and dimensions of the summer house – determine the square footage of the summer house, judging by the available budget and the cost of materials. Most budget-friendly summer houses Essex zone are tiny and stand on even slopes. However, don’t compromise on material quality to fit your budget because that can prove costly in the long run.

Determining the materials to use – You’ll primarily use timber, so you should get the best quality but fit for your budget. Otherwise, you can cut costs by going for flat or gable roofs and foundation or wood. Ground screw bases can work fine, but you need a proper budget.

The legal requirements for building summer houses – most summer houses in the Essex region have to meet a few restrictions. They must be single-story with a roof height of not more than 2.5 metres.

You’d also need the right building tools, including but not limited to:

• Handsaws
• Electric drill and enough screws
• Insulation
• Tape measure
• Pressure wood treatments
• Foundation slabs and wood
• concrete

Building the summer house: step-by-step process

Building your summer house can be hectic but fun and engaging. Here are the steps for building one on a budget.

Step 1: Building the base

If the area is sloped, you can level it before taking the measurements. Also, consider the drainage, ensuring that water doesn’t puddle. Then, lay the foundation wood planks to cover the base. Ensure they form a perfect square or rectangle and are secure with 45º braces. You can also treat the base with pressure wood treatments for preservation.

Step 2: Attach the beams and spars

Attach the front and back spars once the foundation is screwed and in place. Check the lengths, ensuring that they are much for both sides.

Tip! Keep the studs about 20-25 cm apart, but not too close together to save on costs. However, ensure that they face each other right on from both sides.

Step 3: Create the door and window frames

Since you have your measurements determined before commencing the construction, building the windows and door frame should be a breeze.

Step 4: Patch the roof together and attach it

Always ensure that the foundation has a similar surface area and frame to the roof. The simplest and most cost-effective version should be the flat roof, but you can work with whichever suits you – building your roof from the ground is much easier since you’ll only have to attach and secure it.

Step 5: Add some roof tiles and finish up

Once the roof is in position, you can add the roof tiles, paint it and decorate as you please. The summer house will then be ready for occupancy and leisure.

Conclusion

Building a summer house is pretty straightforward and possible on a budget. If you can work with less costly materials and use simple construction methods, you’re bound to spend less money than anticipated. Hopefully, this article has helped you out.

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