Converting An Existing Outhouse

[BIG DAD]

Hi, i am just after some advice if there are any builders out there, i am buying a new house and there is an Outhouse attached to the side, apparently it used to be a coal shed, i whant to convert it to an extension to the kitchen, the problem is its onlt single skinned brick, would this be sufficiant to convert or would it need reinforcing, i am not sure if there is enough info here so please ask if there is any other issues i may have.

Hope this makes sense.

Thanks

[The Builder]

As long as the brickwork is still in a stable condition, then it's no problem. It's just the same as converting a garage.

The main concern is the foundations. Since this would come under Building Control, a Building Inspector might ask for an exploratory hole dug to see the depth and bearing of the footings. Usually it's fine, but you can't assume such.

I would imagine a new roof structure would have to be cut, also.

Building Control would ask for the insulation properties of the wall to be upgraded. Easiest way is to build a timber stud wall all around the inside of the brickwork... preferably with a 50mm cavity to avoid rain penetration. The stud wall would be fitted with insulation.. maybe a combination of ordinary firbeglass or Celotex board, and Multifoil.

Alternatively, the brickwork could be battened off, and Celotex board fixed to that. An onsite talk with the Building Inspector is the way to decide which way to go.

Get Building Control in as early as possible. They're very helpful with advice.

[Old_Geezer]

At my childhood home there was a "coal shed" which happened to be sited behind the larder in the existing kitchen. It was more useful to knock it down and extend the kitchen as required, as otherwise we'd have been tied to space/shape. Just wondered if for you, conversion was the better option after all.

[BIG DAD]

Thanks for your advice, i will get building control to look at it, as for converting or rebuilding, i am on a limited budget so am a bit restricted.

I am quite handy so can do alot of the work myself, just not sure on the big stuff.
Again thanks for your advice.