Multi-purpose outbuilding

The industrial steel shed in our yard is unsealed at the slab, so dust and leaves blow into it, and it is not insulated. We use it as a garden shed, garage storage, gym, laundry, linen closet, and dog food freezer space, so you can imagine how unsuitable it is for our needs.

Looking at our finances, we can afford to invest in the removal of the current shed and installation of a budget-friendly self-contained granny flat with an open plan. Using a container-style expanding unit, installation would be minimal on the existing slab, but will be able to accommodate a bathroom, kitchenette, and enough space for a living room, dining room and large bedroom.

We plan to use it as a clean, protected space to store soft goods like doonas and seasonal clothing, as well as house the washing machine and dog-food freezer. The open plan will allow us to use it as a gym and still leave room for a sofa bed for guests to stay over (our current situation is a one-bedroom house and guests take the couch).

The things to think about:

• Where is the water tank going to be moved to?
• We will need a garden shed for the vehicle and gardening gear, so where will that go?
• The tank and garden shed will need slabs.
• How big a garden shed will we need?
• How do we get rid of the industrial shed?
• How will we do the laundry when that shed is gone? And for how long?
• My wicking beds will need to be moved temporarily, so what will I be able to grow before then?

This will sure be an interesting and exciting (stressful) time, but I'm sure it will be worthwhile.