Complete guide to building your own insulated, DIY garden room or home office, a self-build how-to guide [Model 1/1A]

A complete walk-through of how to build an insulated and gale tested garden office up to 6m x 5m (Model 1) or 5m x 3m (Model 1A) for around £3000, or £2500 for the 1A.

This garden room is entirely water-tight, insulated (proven to hold heat in sub-zero temperatures), mould resistant, fully-powered (over 25m from house), meets all UK legal requirements for dimensions and purposes, is built to standard centres and sizing and costs less than a quarter of equivalent retail units.

This version of the plans is an improvement over my own build, having since consulted a joiner with some 25 years' experience. The design is now more durable throughout, at no extra cost. Every tricky part I encountered in my build process has also been made easier.

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Includes

- Step-by-step instructions using 3D plans and photos
- A complete parts and cutting list for the 6x5m model, with detailed estimated costs
- Every DIY technique required explained
- Options for customising cladding, lighting, roofing

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The guide goes through every technique required, from laser or string levelling to pre-drilling screw holes for the tightest fits. Air-gaps are sealed, water ingress and mould prevented and practical fitting and fixing tips for 1 person working on the project. All tools required are set out.

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Requirements

- Basic DIY experience (or knowing someone who has this)
- Lots of energy (or knowing someone who has this)
- A free and dry spell for the build
- A space on your property that is 1m from the boundary and over 10m from the house

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Alternatively, if it has to be closer to the house than 10m, or if it makes more sense on your property, you can build a 5x3m office* using the Model 1A plans. Expect costs to reduce even further with the Model 1A!

*15m2 is the usual UK limit for tighter plots.