Outdoor Treatment Room/Converted Summerhouse

[Everett]

Hi everybody,
I'm a brand new member, just finding my way around this forum. I must admit, everybody seems really friendly and helpful! I'm a mobile therapist and have been practising Reflexology and Indian Head massage for about 18 months now. I've been reading the recent post about the advantages/disadvantages of working mobile and working from home. I do prefer to work from home and have the same problem of finding a suitable space to work in. I really do need a room to call my own, free from kids, telephones and all other distractions. I've come up with the idea of having a building in the back garden, which I have got a space for. The idea of converting a summerhouse into a treatment, relaxation, meditation room sounds like a really good idea. If anybody has done this could they please give me some advice. How do you go about keeping it warm during the winter, free from damp and generally cosy. How about a sink? Any views on this matter will be appreciated. Thankyou.

 

[Dea]

My only comment is to say that I AM VERY JEALOUS!!!!! What a fantastic idea. I think it sounds wonderful and I am sure you clients will love it.

You would need to get electricity and water out there (you might be able to get away without the water) but you will need electricity and that can cost quite a lot of money to have it run out into the garden but once you have it you can have heating in there and lighting etc......ooooooo can I be the first one?

Welcome to HP.

 

[Malec Archen]

Thanks for coming back to me Candie,
I've already got the electricity out there, but the water might be a bit of a problem. I just need a few more ideas on how to do it. I might have a browse on the internet and see what I can find. If you know anybody who has a set-up like this I'd love to hear from them.
Bye for now.

 

[Gloryuh]

Hello Purple Princess, my friend has a summer house and does her therapies in there, and it's absolutely ideal. She gets past the water thing by simply going up to the house to wash her hands, and it's a good way of breaking contact with the client too and giving them a few minutes' rest. As a client there is something very lovely about having a treatment surrounded by nature, and on summer days she leaves the door open (there is a gauzy curtain so that's the privacy aspect taken care of). I'm not sure if you need planning permission for a summer house. They needn't be very expensive to buy - if you have a surf on the net you'll get an idea of what you might end up paying. I think the idea has much to recommend it! GOOD LUCK whatever you do.

 

[An Earthly Hope]

Check the link

http://www.healthypages.net/forum/tm.asp?m=51931&mpage=1&key=lounge&anchor#52205

It seems that Susan52 uses a summerhouse in her garden. Perhaps you could PM her.

Lesley

 

[justwatchin]

Hello Purple Princess!

My friend who I have reflexology with also has a summer hosue which she works in. She gets around the water problem by taking a pitcher and bowl into the room with her to wash her hands.

Sarah x

 

[pippy:D]

Hi PP

I have done exactly this (look under post in this forum 'Treatment room'). I'm lucky enough to have a very handy husband who did all the work e.g. electricity which was run out from the garage not expensive at all and acutally cost nothing, boarding up inside to make it look nice. I bought the summerhouse out of money I saved and I did most of the decorating and I would say the whole thing cost about £14000 all together. It was worth it, it looks fantastic, it's lovely and relaxing and the window and door looks out onto the garden with pond and waterfall complete with statue of buddha. At night the garden is lit with coloured lights. Everyone whos seen it loves it. (The garden was already like that by the way.)

I don't have any water out there so just use wet wipes when necessary and just go to the house to wash inbetween clients. I use an electric heater from argos which is great. The room doesn't really take much heating up even when it's freezing so I warm it up well before a client and then turn the heater right down, it's seems to be OK.

I didn't need planning permission as you don't need this to erect 'movable building' or buildings without foundations.

The only slight problem is there is no outside toilet, up to now clients have to go to the one in the house. I always ask if they want to pay a visit before and after a treatment and it's worked Ok up 'til now.

If you've got any questions I'll be glad to answer them, just PM me or post on here.

love
susan

 

[Franco III]

Is that 1400 or 14000 Susan? (was hoping it was 1400 but I guess I'm in cloud cuckoo land!). thanks!

 

[PACmon]

I have considered adding a summerhouse or converting one of the garages into a treatment room. An idea for washing hands is one of those large coffee/tea pumps which you could use over a plastic bowl. Mine cost about £35.00 but you often see them for sale at boot sales. One way of having warm water. Just a thought!!

yasmin x

 

[Annie T]

Sorry all, yes that was meant to be £1400,,,,,,,wish i was that rich I'd be in the bahamas or somewhere