Mickwhitt 4,584 #1 Posted February 8, 2020 Ok one horse does not a herd make, but I do have other mowers. My house is built on a steep slope and there is a 5 foot deep void beneath our bedroom floor. I have an idea of cutting a doorway into the outer wall and making a parking area under the house for my machines. It's that or try to find space for an outdoor building, which to be honest is not an option. Any thoughts on such a plan? I need to speak to our building control department on monday who will tell me if it is legal etc. Mick 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,580 #2 Posted February 8, 2020 mick, sounds like a great opportunity if you can get the ok from the BCD . if you can do that , you might add a weather cap on the opening top ends from the house to help on the wet weather , keep us informed , pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,783 #3 Posted February 8, 2020 A few things come to mind, though I’m no professional. Will this cause and foundation issues? Could a support header be installed? Will you need any vapor barrier to keep fumes away from you and your bride? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mickwhitt 4,584 #4 Posted February 8, 2020 Our buildings control people will stipulate what needs doing. My neighbours house is virtually identical but has a garage in exactly the same place I'm proposing putting in a storage place. His house does stand about a foot higher so that's why they used the space for a garage. Mick Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,266 #5 Posted February 8, 2020 Any pics of the area? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,490 #6 Posted February 8, 2020 Around here that would trigger fire safety stuff like fire wall / ceiling / floor separation, vapor barriers etc. and most definitely full load bearing support header... Great idea! Hope it works!!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 9,981 #7 Posted February 8, 2020 Sounds ok to me Mick. All depends on the foundations of course. And just for your mowers, tractor etc, you wouldn't need a wide doorway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mickwhitt 4,584 #8 Posted February 9, 2020 The photo shows the front wall I am looking at opening a doorway in. The two air bricks are at the height of the floor joists for our bedroom above. The room would be about 3.5 x 3.5 m which is plenty for parking mowers in. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mickwhitt 4,584 #9 Posted February 9, 2020 If I dug out to give myself headroom I would lift the block paving and lower the drive a little. But only a 4 foot door would lessen the amount of work outdoors. The silver door on the left goes into a space beneath the balcony which is ok for some tools but only about four foot high so no good for mowers. Door is also too narrow. Hope our buildings control guy has had a good weekend lol. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mickwhitt 4,584 #10 Posted February 9, 2020 The blue tarp is concealing a Smart and Brown capstan lathe which I have no room for at present. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 9,981 #11 Posted February 9, 2020 I like the plan and hope all goes well with your building control man. Hopefully he'll be a reasonable type and not a jobsworth. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jennifer 1,877 #12 Posted February 9, 2020 Hope it’s approved. Husband and I are looking forward to seeing you move forward with your idea! Pictures alone the way! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buzz 502 #13 Posted February 9, 2020 I would be very careful running your tractors inside. Fumes and CO2 could penetrate the house and kill whoever is inside. Vapor barriers and an exhaust fan might be needed. Good luck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,783 #14 Posted February 10, 2020 I see your guard keeps a nice beard. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mickwhitt 4,584 #15 Posted February 10, 2020 Yep the gnome looks after us. Building control coming out tomorrow for a free inspection and advice visit. Hoping he will point me in the right direction regarding this. It would certainly give me some secure storage for Fred and the other mowers. Mick 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tractorhead 9,064 #16 Posted February 10, 2020 Crossing my Fingers, that you are allowed to do it. maybe a bit slope down on entrance will be not a bad idea, not huts you if you drive in upon a time... sent positive Vibes! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mickwhitt 4,584 #17 Posted February 11, 2020 Building control guy came out this morning. Said it was a very simple job and just needed an application and calculation for the steel beam supporting the floor above. Should be fairly straight forward now. Got a builder lined up to do the lintel and we can make a start. Really pleased. Mick 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 9,981 #18 Posted February 11, 2020 Good news. Be done by next month. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mickwhitt 4,584 #19 Posted February 11, 2020 With any luck it will lol. Calcs being done as we speak by an online service. 50 Quid for the calcs and 170 for building application. Then it's just steel and my time. Off we go. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,266 #20 Posted February 11, 2020 Don't forget the exorbitantly silly amount of pictures.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mickwhitt 4,584 #21 Posted February 11, 2020 As soon as I start I will bore you silly with pictures lol. The calculations came back within 2 hours! Which is amazing especially considering I only paid for the 2 day turnaround. Other structural engineer firms wanted £300 to visit and produce the calculations. The beam required cost £100 delivered so that's on it's way. Application form sent off to council and officially I could start work on friday. But I think I'll have the weekend off then see how the weather is. Mick 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 9,981 #22 Posted February 11, 2020 By 'eck! Things are really moving. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 11,349 #23 Posted February 11, 2020 Good luck with your project, seems like a good use of the space. Of course build it as big as you can, you'll use it all, and probably more. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mickwhitt 4,584 #24 Posted February 12, 2020 Ain't that the truth! I already use two garages, a shed and space under the house. This is the last available place to go, unless I build a ramp up into the roof space..... Mick 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mickwhitt 4,584 #25 Posted February 12, 2020 Builder called thus morning, he can make a start next week. Steel bought for door opening so we can cut that and gain access. Building control notice arrived so approval given. Away we go people, I'm in the construction business lol. Mick 2 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
