Another Garage studio

markrichardson said:
Just a side question, but did you need planning permission to do this kind of work? Am considering it as an option when my wife and I finally buy a house.
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I converted a double garage to a spa and gym. I was told legally I needed planning permission, HOWEVER, ONLY if I sold it and advertised it as a SPA / GYM. If the garage doors remain, and a car can park in it, and you call it a garage, then no - your OK,

G.
 
markrichardson said:
Just a side question, but did you need planning permission to do this kind of work? Am considering it as an option when my wife and I finally buy a house.
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No I checked with the council before I built the garage. I actually dug and filled foundations for a brick garage but was told that as that was a permanent structure I needed planning permission. The chap said "just get a prefab, they are virtually permanent but we don't require planning permission" so I did. Originally the garage was built for our collection of motorcycles, tools, hydraulic motorcycle lift etc etc. I no longer have a bike so it was empty hence the conversion. I probably wouldn't have built one specifically as a studio or alternatively I would have got a wooden shed of the same size.
 
I've just priced up the wood to clad it all.....

11 x 8'x4' 5.5mm external grade plywood (walls) @ 8.68 ea
4 x 8'x4' 9mm external grade plywood (floor) @ 13.92 ea
2 x 6'6" 75mmx75mm wood (frame replacing door) @ 5.52 ea
1 x 6'6" x 2'9" ext plywood door @ 36.98
24m of 19mmx125mm softwood weatherboard @0.79 pm
10m of 4.5m x 38mm x 19mm slate battern (for under floor) @0.95 ea

Then undercoat, primer and gloss (for door and weatherboard)
No nails to attach the wall sheets and floor sheets (so no nails showing)

£270 inc VAT in total

Think it is going to be best to do that from the start so the work I have done is not wasted as it has sealed the concrete but it will certainly be a nicer place to be with this lot done.
 
photochimp said:
are you insulating anywhere?
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There will be a 1-2" void between the concrete sections and the panelling. I was thinking of insulating in the voids but not sure what would be best/easiest.
 
when I did a bit of a conversion on my garage I just stuck the cheap loft insulation, might not be the best thing but better than nothing and cheap. you will probably suffer from 2 hot in the summer to cold in the winter anyway. at least in the summer you will be able to open the door, if you do open the door will you be putting up fold out panels or something to keep it private?
 
photochimp said:
when I did a bit of a conversion on my garage I just stuck the cheap loft insulation, might not be the best thing but better than nothing and cheap. you will probably suffer from 2 hot in the summer to cold in the winter anyway. at least in the summer you will be able to open the door, if you do open the door will you be putting up fold out panels or something to keep it private?
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I too was thinking of the insulating rolls which, like you say, are very cheap. I could just put up a net curtain. The garage door faces the back of the house. It was a garage built for our motorcycles and always inaccessible to cars. We have a 6'6" fence around the garden too so it shouldn't be an issue. Once I have it completely finished I might well have a studio warming party :)
 
EdinburghGary said:
I converted a double garage to a spa and gym. I was told legally I needed planning permission, HOWEVER, ONLY if I sold it and advertised it as a SPA / GYM. If the garage doors remain, and a car can park in it, and you call it a garage, then no - your OK,

G.
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Gary,

Somehow I missed your post, sorry. It was the fact that is couldn't be used for cars, was a pre-fab and therefore easily removed and hidden entirely within our land that they said I didn't need planning permission. I suppose I would need a change of use permission if I started to use it commercially but the reality is that it is not really big enough for that purpose and is more a practice studio for the whole family (as we are all now into photography).

I think Cameron might have a bit of an advantage when he starts his A level in photography in September having a studio in the back garden :)
 
When it comes to planning permission, just be grateful that you don't live in a National Park...

You'd think that they own the land, not you, you'd need permission for anything at all and, judging by my own experience, getting planning permission for anything is impossible. They call themselves the National Park, they are known locally as the National Front:)

Rant over - most local councils seem to have a pretty laid back, helpful approach to planning consents when the change isn't for commercial use.
 
Garry Edwards said:
When it comes to planning permission, just be grateful that you don't live in a National Park...

You'd think that they own the land, not you, you'd need permission for anything at all and, judging by my own experience, getting planning permission for anything is impossible. They call themselves the National Park, they are known locally as the National Front:)

Rant over - most local councils seem to have a pretty laid back, helpful approach to planning consents when the change isn't for commercial use.
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Well I started it as a cheapo "give it a lick of paint" job and then realised that I don't actually have to spend silly money in order to get the place half decent. With this lot done it will be a nice place to work on stuff. I should be able to get it totally light tight so can even do some developing in there. Just pricing up the metal to copy your product photography table but on a slightly smaller scale :). It would be nice to have it set up so that I can do the jewellery and other photography without lots of messing about.

I was thinking of making a bracket for each side of the wall to stick the lights for the backdrop on effectively making the studio 2' wider. Before I start though do you know of anyone that sells such a thing? It not I could do with a couple of broken light stands :)
 
I have speed read this as i'm just on my way out but i didn't see any mention of condensation? Garages can be a nightmare for this in winter even with a bit of insulation. Obviously condensation and lights don't mix!

Can you have a small heater in there in winter, on just a trickle to keep the condensation at bay?

Sorry if it's already been mentioned.
 
Merc said:
I have speed read this as i'm just on my way out but i didn't see any mention of condensation? Garages can be a nightmare for this in winter even with a bit of insulation. Obviously condensation and lights don't mix!

Can you have a small heater in there in winter, on just a trickle to keep the condensation at bay?

Sorry if it's already been mentioned.
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It is effectively going to be a shed inside a concrete garage. The lights themselves will go into a very large peli case that I already have which has its own desiccation thingy in it but I will be bringing this into the house normally. The garage is about 6-7 years old and I have been using it all along with no condensation problems so far. I have a gas heater though for when it is very cold and could fit one of those small storage heaters. Can't have the models complaining about being cold :)
 
cowasaki said:
There will be a 1-2" void between the concrete sections and the panelling. I was thinking of insulating in the voids but not sure what would be best/easiest.
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Best (although not the cheapest), would be Celotex (or similar), compressed foam sheet type stuff.
This would keep the inside cooler in the summer and retain heat in the winter.
Another option for the floor would be to have it "floating",
lay down the celotex sheets, and cover with 8x2 chipboard flooring (glueing along the tongue and gooved edges), easy to do and very warm underfoot!
 
My Kal said:
Best (although not the cheapest), would be Celotex (or similar), compressed foam sheet type stuff.
This would keep the inside cooler in the summer and retain heat in the winter.
Another option for the floor would be to have it "floating",
lay down the celotex sheets, and cover with 8x2 chipboard flooring (glueing along the tongue and gooved edges), easy to do and very warm underfoot!
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The floor will be floating on 38x19mm lengths of wood. I am seriously thinking of putting the loft insulation in the wall voids and would consider it in the floor but am I going to gain much from putting it under the floor? I wouldn't have thought so. I should be warmer too as the up and over garage door is being replaced with a wooden door and wooden panel. So I will have a 7 foot by 6'6" Harman garage door spare :shrug:
 
Well removed all the remaining board today and re-wired all the sockets to the roofline adding a couple of extra ones. Nothing on the walls now to get in teh way of the boards and removed the motorcycle ground anchors. Nothing I can do now till next week when the delivery arrives from the builders merchants. Unfortunately I will have a length of fence to put up then as well !
 
Placing the order in the morning for all the bits but....

I am also extending a fence and need to plant 5 fence posts.

How much cement, sand and gravel will I need ???

Just putting the order together for the fence bits with the last bits of my studio :)

I have posted this in off topic section too
 
Use a mix of 4 to 1 for the sand and cement, add gravel (ballast) to taste or you could just buy the ready mixed stuff called Postcrete. It is ideal for what you need. Read the bags to tell you how much you need.
 
tiler65 said:
Use a mix of 4 to 1 for the sand and cement, add gravel (ballast) to taste or you could just buy the ready mixed stuff called Postcrete. It is ideal for what you need. Read the bags to tell you how much you need.
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Cheers, I was trying to avoid having to go to the builder merchants but I need to buy the gate bits anyway so will sort this whilst there. I am off thurs/fri hopefully they can deliver on Thursday and I can get the fence done so next time I am off wed-fri next week I can pretty much finish the studio :)
 
Placed the order on the way to work today. Came to £492 when I added on the stuff I had forgotten :shake: Like door handles, hinges and lock! Might ring tomorrow and add an internal door and frame to the list too. Shame I am not a joiner!! Hope my wood working skills are up to the job of fitting the door, lock etc :thinking:

Unfortunately they cannot deliver till Friday afternoon because some of the wood I bought will need treating for its intended purpose. I will have to content myself with digging the holes ready for the posts.
 
How ti fit a door

Fitted six doors recently, first one took 2 hours last one took an hour-ish and some effing and blinding. Oh and spilt a mug of tea on the carpet, not a bad day for me.:lol:

I let the wife clean up.:thumbs:

*edit* typo dammit
 
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Kowasaki, a great thread. Keep us updated with pics, I'd love to have a go at this one day but my garage is only about 6' tall at one end. Not sure if I could correct that without ripping it down to the foundations. I'm really not good with that sort of stuff...

Have a builder in doing a kitchen at the mo so may ask his advice.

So yeah, really enjoyed reading about your progress
 
markrichardson said:
Just a side question, but did you need planning permission to do this kind of work? Am considering it as an option when my wife and I finally buy a house.
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It sort of depends on your council.

I spoke to them and they class a pre-fabricated concrete garage as a temporary structure so it does not need planning permission from them, just like a wooden shed you might buy. You would have to check with your council though. I probably wouldn't have had any problem anyway as the garage is 6 inches taller than the fence, to the side of the garage is a car park and it does not affect anyone else.
 
Well latest update,

I finished digging the holes for the posts for the fence extension and built 22' of fence today! This means that the fence stuff which was delivered at the same time as the studio stuff is now out of the way and I can hopefully start attacking the studio now.

Unfortunately I have a blue!! thumb where I hit it with the sledgehammer, a bruised knuckle where I hit it with the sledgehammer and a painful fingernail where I hit it with the sledgehammer oh and a blister from using the sledgehammer.
 
We always try b and q first for ballast sand cement etc... as the always have split bags they sell normally cheaper than the merchants.

As re the heating we used a little oil fill radiator when we moved into a house with no heating it was fantastic just left it on low warmed it up a treat and didnt give us stupid bills.

I would def get some insulation in those gaps you have better to do it now than have to re do it later.
 
I wish I had seen this thread earlier Darren, I've only just read it. Looks like you are going to have yourself a very nice little studio set up soon. I wouldn't mind popping round for a try of it when it's all finished.

One question that's a week or so too late but where did you order all your wood from? I noticed you priced up some ply wood from B&Q. Any time you ever need any DIY stuff you should always go to Berrys in Leyland, they are far cheaper than B&Q for things like wood and building materials. You've bought it all now so it's too late.

Keep us up to date with your progress.
 
-Rob- said:
I wish I had seen this thread earlier Darren, I've only just read it. Looks like you are going to have yourself a very nice little studio set up soon. I wouldn't mind popping round for a try of it when it's all finished.

One question that's a week or so too late but where did you order all your wood from? I noticed you priced up some ply wood from B&Q. Any time you ever need any DIY stuff you should always go to Berrys in Leyland, they are far cheaper than B&Q for things like wood and building materials. You've bought it all now so it's too late.

Keep us up to date with your progress.
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I did buy it all from Berrys! Far cheaper and free delivery :)

I just need to build it now, starting work tomorrow but I injured myself several times yesterday so hoping it will be right. I will be having a studio warming party when it is done and also buying a load of Lencarta gear at the end of the month. Once it is up and running you can pop round and have a play. Do you have any studio kit yourself?
 
cowasaki said:
Do you have any studio kit yourself?
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I don't have any studio kit. I've got an SB-800 and SB-600 with light stands and shoot through brollies but they hardly make a studio. I have access to studio lighting from Preston Photographic Society which I've used before but I don't have a garage to convert in to a studio. I do have a nice big driveway at the side of my house that's just crying out to have a garage/studio built on it though. :thinking:
 
-Rob- said:
I don't have any studio kit. I've got an SB-800 and SB-600 with light stands and shoot through brollies but they hardly make a studio. I have access to studio lighting from Preston Photographic Society which I've used before but I don't have a garage to convert in to a studio. I do have a nice big driveway at the side of my house that's just crying out to have a garage/studio built on it though. :thinking:
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I spent weeks digging the foundations to that garage only to find that a friend nearby had access to a mini digger and said he would have done it in an afternoon! I have a 3 light mini portable studio now with 2 softboxes, reflecting umbrella, barn doors, snoot, gels, stands etc but with the permanent studio wanted something better. So the other studio (which is ideal to set up in a house and packs into a large bag) will be going at the end of next month.
 
cowasaki said:
So the other studio (which is ideal to set up in a house and packs into a large bag) will be going at the end of next month.
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Normally I would be very interested, I would love to have my own set of studio lights but with a baby due in the next few days I think 'her with the big belly' would have my nuts for ear rings if I spent anything on photography gear at the moment.
 
-Rob- said:
Normally I would be very interested, I would love to have my own set of studio lights but with a baby due in the next few days I think 'her with the big belly' would have my nuts for ear rings if I spent anything on photography gear at the moment.
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I will be sticking in on here in the for sale section :)
 
Just went out to make a start and its raining so I can't as I don't want the plywood to get wet even though it is marine ply.
 
Just posted this in the for sale section:

If anyone locally can help out with anything on the list but doesn't want a garage door then I would certainly appreciate it and you will have access to a local studio with all the lighting etc !!

I am also building a purpose built product lighting table once the 20mm square section mild steel arrives but that is another project :)

------------------------​

Well by next week my garage studio conversion should have reached the stage where the garage up and over door is replaced by a normal opening door. I will therefore have a spare white decent quality undented garage door complete with 4 keys etc. It is to go in a hole 6'6" tall by 7' wide which is a pretty standard gap.

Just want a swap really.

If there is a joiner out there needing one then a few hours helping mount the replacement door and build the frame etc would do it.

A load of loft insulation would be a help (I need 40 pieces which is 190cmx40cm and maybe 6-10cm thick.)

A piece of new grey carpet 8 feet by 14 feet would also be handy.

Standard bowens fit soft box to go on my new Lencarta lights when I get them at the end of the month.

Something else.........
 
If you are painting your garage floor, I can tell you from personal and very bitter experience to make absolutely (and I do mean absolutely) sure that the floor is clean and you follow to the letter the instructions. I had to redo mine after the house-builder botched it. You normally have to use a sealing coat first. You have been warned. :)

A garage is OK for a studio, but they can be very cold in winter.
 
MacroMania said:
If you are painting your garage floor, I can tell you from personal and very bitter experience to make absolutely (and I do mean absolutely) sure that the floor is clean and you follow to the letter the instructions. I had to redo mine after the house-builder botched it. You normally have to use a sealing coat first. You have been warned. :)

A garage is OK for a studio, but they can be very cold in winter.
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Cheers but the floor painting was to seal it and has now been done for over a week with 3 coats :)

I am totally lining the entire garage in wood including a wooden floor so that should hopefully help with the heat!
 
Well I put the floor down today, bought the paint and bought the floor carpet tiles!

Tomorrow's task is to nip out and buy the exterior door frame, interior door frame, interior door and some more wood THEN finish the floor, build the garage front and then paint the interior walls....
 
Not updated the thread for a few days but my up and over garage door has now gone, donated to a friend who's garage door had broken. Anyway most of the wiring is now sorted, alarm now re-instated, garage door now replaced by normal door, most of the wooden panelling now installed....

Jobs to do....

Finish the panelling.
Build the changing room and fit door.
Install the changing room light.
Replace one of the fluorescents.
Fit the architrave.
Fit the ceiling panels.
Fit the floor tiles.

Take my studio lights in and have a play :)
 
EdinburghGary said:
Getting close mate....looking forward to the light setup!! Are you aiming for 255 white BG?

G.
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Not really, the studio is a bit small for white backgrounds as good as yours although with some PP I should be able to get some white ones. I really love stuff like the pics I posted in the nudes section really low key stuff. I am looking for ways of creating a pleasing background for normal portraits too. It also gives me space to do product photography leaving it set up so that I can re-create the same effect over several days.
 
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