Outhouses are an ideal way to add space to your home. An outhouse can be seen as a detached extension to the home, almost like an upgraded shed that acts more like an extra room. It doesn’t simply have to be for storage. Beyond offering more room, an outhouse can also add value to your home. Plus, they’re practical: an outhouse isn’t attached to the house, so it could be used as a games room or gym where noise levels will be high but won’t reach the house as much. Here are some tips for getting an outhouse.
Planning permission
One of the first things to consider is, naturally, planning permission. Without the go-ahead from the council and landowners, your project won’t be able to continue. Alternatively, if you meet certain conditions your outhouse will be considered a permitted development and won’t require permission – there’s a handy guide to meeting this here.
Adding value
Make sure it adds value onto the home – for this, you must make sure it fits in, has a purpose and is usable. Studies suggest that a stylish addition in your garden could add up to 5 per cent value to the property! Partly, this is due to all the potential uses an outhouse could have. Popular ways of making the most of an outhouse include office space, a games room, a studio, a kennel, or even a sauna room!
Get the right builders
Ensuring you use reliable and trusted builders is key. This will help you to avoid any hidden costs and should lead to a high-quality build. Ideally, you’d like to find builders who are local, recommended by a trustworthy source and who have excellent reviews from previous customers.
Choosing materials
There are 2 key considerations when choosing materials, the look and the quality. Getting roofing sheets that are high quality will protect your outhouse from water damage, saving you money from any damage repairs along the line.
Design
Designing the outhouse is just as important as designing a room in your home. If you fail to design the interior of the outhouse correctly, it can feel more like a shed or garage. However, if done correctly the outhouse can look like an exterior extension of your home and can be very impressive.
Overall, an outhouse can be a fantastic addition to your home. As explained above, it’ll need plenty of research: the builders, materials and design are all critical. But with careful consideration and planning, you could easily end up with a stylish extension that boosts the comfort of your home – while also enhancing its value.
