fse10 Posted May 30, 2022 Report Share Posted May 30, 2022 Hi gent's, any one used a shipping container as a workshop in their garden. If so did you need planning for it as it's not a permanent building. I want to stick two next to each other and cut though and make one 20x16 workshop as will be cheaper then a block built . Will be 4ft from side of house and on a boundary with a bypass which has a verge of about 10ft between my fence & kerbside. Regards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrycatcat1 Posted May 30, 2022 Report Share Posted May 30, 2022 1 hour ago, fse10 said: Hi gent's, any one used a shipping container as a workshop in their garden. If so did you need planning for it as it's not a permanent building. I want to stick two next to each other and cut though and make one 20x16 workshop as will be cheaper then a block built . Will be 4ft from side of house and on a boundary with a bypass which has a verge of about 10ft between my fence & kerbside. Regards. I would advise you to contact your local planning authority. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
udderlyoffroad Posted May 30, 2022 Report Share Posted May 30, 2022 Firstly, Google permitted development and make sure your heights and distances from boundary fall within that. Obviously your neighbour to the rear is unlikely to complain... When you say cheaper: You have factored in the cost of getting them craned in? You will need access for a large 17t+ lorry with HIAB. Not a cheap proposition. Further, shipping containers are designed for just that, shipping. Condensation can be a real problem, and if it's for a workshop, your tools and equipment will rust unless you take special measures to protect them from it. This isn't cheap either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted May 30, 2022 Report Share Posted May 30, 2022 Yes, seems sense to contact your planning authority and have words with any neighbours overlooking the site. Shipping containers can be sealed inside which does of course cost but nowhere near the cost of a brick and mortar building. Lots of examples on youtube where young folk have built their homes from these containers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12gauge82 Posted May 30, 2022 Report Share Posted May 30, 2022 I'd be tempted to clad them with external timber cladding with insulation between the new skin, add a ventilation fan and should make a brilliant workshop that is aesthetically not bad to look at. As others have said, I'd contact planning before I did anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39TDS Posted May 30, 2022 Report Share Posted May 30, 2022 If your intention is to site them permanently (as it appears you do) they are no longer classed as a temporary structure and therefore need planning permission. Whether or not you would get away with it without permission usually depends on how well you get on with your neighbours or anyone else that can see them. Containers aren't cheap, I heard of someone asking £5k for one 20' container recently. Shanghai has been locked down and they are in short supply again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted May 30, 2022 Report Share Posted May 30, 2022 20ft for a good condition one are around 3k bew about 5k We've just had a quote for 1 with welded door, and a service door put in, electric installed so plug and play fir £6800. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Neal Posted May 30, 2022 Report Share Posted May 30, 2022 If it was such a great idea I think everyone would be doing it Plenty of pitfalls mentioned above, condensation is the absolute biggest deal-breaker. I suspect you'd have to do so much alteration to it the cost and time involved would cancel out the benefit of the "pre-formed" structure. And after all's said and done you're still left with a naff looking metal monstrosity in your garden. Have you ever tried to just casually "cut through" a shipping container?!! I'd get it done properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30-6 Posted May 30, 2022 Report Share Posted May 30, 2022 My farmer friend got one a couple of months ago. Don't know what the inside is finished off with, but its all peeling due to condensation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted May 31, 2022 Report Share Posted May 31, 2022 Simply check the regs for sheds under permitted development. If you can put a good sized shed then I’d just put them in and clad them. As long as you stick to 20ft and don’t go high cube then it should be fine. Personally we don’t get condensation issues in ours and we deal with a lot of auctioneers who park them up and store antiques in them so I wonder if they already have a coating to reduce it. They do make a good secure unit though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powler Posted May 31, 2022 Report Share Posted May 31, 2022 One way to help cut down condensation would be to put in some air vents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wisdom Posted May 31, 2022 Report Share Posted May 31, 2022 We have vented ones at work.they are used for storage so are not opened very often.No condensation at all though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrycatcat1 Posted May 31, 2022 Report Share Posted May 31, 2022 I hear what members are saying about looking a the "permitted general development order" but its all about interpretation. It's the local planning that enforce these things so it's always better to check with them in the long run to save any hassle and wasted money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
udderlyoffroad Posted May 31, 2022 Report Share Posted May 31, 2022 Meh, still do yourself a favour and read this (pdf) before you even contact them. No point wasting your and their time with something that is obviously outwith the rules. I would urge you treat planners like all other forms of governmental interaction, i.e. 1) They are on a need-to-know basis 2) All communication with them must be in writing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fse10 Posted May 31, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2022 After looking at cost's think i will go with blocks. As i can do it in stages. Will check to see if i need planning. I live on an end terrace and have a large L shaped garden so workshop will be to side of house out of view from any neighbours with only a 40mph bypass to my side. Thanks for the replies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted May 31, 2022 Report Share Posted May 31, 2022 In the summer you can bake a spud in them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deker Posted June 1, 2022 Report Share Posted June 1, 2022 (edited) I can't offer any advice BUT the building in this photo is exactly what you've mentioned, two containers joined together with cladding and insulation, I walk the dog past every day and watching it get put together was petty interesting I've just googled it and there are more photos here https://olivebranchgolf.co.uk/loftys-crazy-golf/ Edited June 1, 2022 by Deker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostonmick Posted June 1, 2022 Report Share Posted June 1, 2022 i have two one as a workshop and one has a machine stored inside.the workshop is quite full has racking benches and cabinets inside.this does not suffer with condensation at all.the one with the machind in is a high cube and does get condensation i just leave the doors ajar for a few hours each day seems to work.as for planning if you ask the council they will undoubtedly say you need permission.as for craneage they will come on a hiab lorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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