I have a small barn on my property (100m2 ground floor area) and I've had an idea that I now plan to try to realize. I will convert it into an apartment combined with a workshop and storage for my cars.
So far, I only have the plan in my head and no drawings, but the main idea is to extend the loft and create an upper floor with the apartment. I'm thinking of having two dormers on the roof to create more space with straight walls. Then I'm planning to have a south-facing terrace with solar panels as the roof surface.
Regarding the garage/workshop part, the plan is to open an entrance in the foundation wall in the low part of the barn to create a workshop with sufficient ceiling height for a lift, and the remaining ground floor area will be a stylish "car showroom" with lounge space and various fun features one always wished for from Santa.
The entire building will be insulated, and I'm thinking of underfloor heating from the existing geothermal heat pump.
I envision a modernly furnished apartment but with an exterior in a more old-style.
At this early stage of planning, my main consideration is whether it will be more cost-effective to renovate the existing building or demolish it and build new? What does the panel in this fantastic forum say?
I plan to do most of the work myself but will bring in expertise for areas I'm not skilled in, such as electrical and plumbing.
My boring suggestion: Tear down and build new.
Trying to straighten everything that's crooked in a barn like that will drive you crazy in the end.
You'll end up building new inside the old and letting the barn just be a shell.
Fun project! I wouldn't tear it down as it's a lot of work and money just to build what you already have today. But of course, there are many factors that influence that decision.
Just a thought. Housing and workshop in the same building might complicate things, right?
And can you comply with housing regulations like handicap accessibility, etc., in that building? I know nothing about the regulations but just a thought.
I can attest that it's challenging to constantly reconcile old and new, i.e., crooked and straight.
The Saab is preserved in a Carcoon. Keeps moisture and other unpleasantness at bay that you don't want for long-term storage of your gem.
I can imagine it's not easy to sort out the old stuff and that it will take a lot of time. My time is "free," but does it also complicate things for others involved, like electricians and plumbers?
I'm not fully aware of the regulations yet, but I have contacted the municipal officer to get a handle on this. I had no idea I had to consider handicap adaptations. I'll have to look into that.
If I don't demolish, my idea was to clear out the building of everything except the frame and roof, and then start building anew based on the frame. A thought I just had is that perhaps the entire building should be demolished and then rebuilt using as much existing material as possible, thereby avoiding all the distortions and such. What do you think about that?
I think you should keep it. If you're a home tinkerer and do most things yourself, you save many of the heavy tasks such as demolition, removal, frame and truss erection, roofing, etc. These are tasks that require strength if you do them alone. Once you have the frame and roof in place, there is minimal weather-dependent work, you can arrange good lighting, and you can leave the worksite without packing and unpacking tools and materials. This means you can spend long autumn and winter evenings on efficient work and do more enjoyable things when the weather is nice and there is daylight.
Also keep in mind that it is not certain that you will obtain a building permit for the new building if you demolish the old one. Some people in our community wanted to demolish a dilapidated outbuilding and construct an exterior identical house but were denied and are now forced to completely renovate the old one instead.
Of course keep! The building seems to be in good condition, and a new construction is unlikely to have the same character. Take, for example, just that wonderful stone base
Also keep in mind that it's not certain you'll get a building permit for the new building if you demolish the old one. Some people in our community wanted to demolish a severely dilapidated outbuilding and build an identical house externally but were denied and are now forced to completely renovate the old one instead.
There is no detailed plan where I live, which should give me a good position for whatever I choose to do. But I'm uncertain about the boundaries of what I can or can't do... Hopefully, I'll get clear answers from the municipality.
Of course, keep it! The building seems to be in good condition, and a new construction is unlikely to have the same character. Just take, for example, the wonderful stone foundation
I think you should keep it. If you are a DIY enthusiast and do most of the work yourself, you save many of the heavy tasks such as demolition, removal, framing and truss raising, roofing, etc. These are tasks that require strength if you do them alone. If you have the frame and roof in place, there will be minimal weather-dependent work, you can arrange good lighting, and you can leave the workplace without having to unpack and pack tools and materials. This means you can spend long autumn and winter evenings on efficient work and do more enjoyable things when the weather is nice and there is daylight.
Sounds like a good plan! Framing and truss raising seem like overkill for me anyway.
I have a small barn on my property (100m2 ground floor area) and I've had an idea that I'm now planning to realize. I'm going to convert it into an apartment combined with a workshop and storage for my cars.
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I like both your plan and choice of car, I had many and far-reaching plans for a similar solution before I met my future (ex-)wife.
Is that an -84 I see and in the "bag" a Lux? Now driving a 2D -84 without opening rear windows and carburetor
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